Unified Communications
What is Unified Communications?
Unified communications (UC) is a new technological architecture whereby communication tools are integrated so that both businesses and individuals can manage all their communications in one entity instead of separately. In short, unified communications bridges the gap between VoIP and other computer related communication technologies.
Unified communications also gives better control over important features like presence and single number reach, as we see below.
The Concept of Presence
Presence represents the availability and willingness of a person to communicate. A simple example is the list of buddies you have in your instant messenger. When they are online (meaning they are available and willing to communicate), your instant messenger gives you an indication to that effect. Presence can also be enhanced to show where you are and how (since we are speaking about integrating many communication tools) you can be contacted. For example, if a buddy is not in her office or in front of her computer, there is no way your instant messenger can have you contact her, unless other communication technologies are integrated, like pc-to-phone calling. With unified communications, you can know where your buddy is and how you can contact her... but of course if she wants to share these information.
Single Number Reach
Even if your presence can be monitored and shared with unified communications, contacting you might still be impossible if your access point (an address, a number etc.) is not available or known. Now say you have five ways to be contacted (phone, email, paging... you name it), would people like to keep or know five different pieces of information to be able to contact you anytime they want? With unified communications, you will (as at now, ideally) have one access point (one number) through which people can contact you, whether they are using their computer's instant messenger, their softphone, their IP phone, email etc. One example of such a softphone-based service is VoxOx, which aims at unifying all your communication needs. The best example of a one-number reach service is Google Voice.
What Unified Communications Encompasses
Since we are speaking of integration, just everything at the service of communication can be integrated. Here is a list of the most common things:
* Unified messaging and multimedia services
This includes voice communication in all its forms, voicemail, email, fax and other types of multimedia elements like pictures, animations, video etc.
* Real-time communications Real-time systems involve getting immediate processing and response after input. Examples are conferencing, call screening, instant messaging, paging etc.
* Data services This includes information delivery like web data, online services etc.
* Transactions This covers transactions made online, through the web or otherwise, like e-commerce, enterprise applications, online banking etc.
How Can Unified Communications Be Useful?
Here are some examples of how unified communications can be useful:
* People that rely on mobility in connection can remain connected with their softphones or wireless IP handsets even when they are outside the office or home.
* Enterprises can considerably reduce costs incurred for accommodating workers, with all the implications, by allowing them to work from home. Moreover, foreign human resource can be tapped from at no increased cost and without the normal delays due to geographical distance.
* Web and video conferencing calls will allow for better interactivity and subsequently better productivity, thereby reducing the cost on travel and telecoms.
* You as an individual, or a business, will have registrations and less bills to worry about, as you might be having all your services from one single provider, and be reached through one single number.