Unified communications (UC) is not a new term in telecommunications. But as time goes on it seems that more and more technologies are falling into this aggregate category. So what is unified communications? When someone refers to it what are they really saying?
Definition
According to the International Engineering Consortium, unified communications is an industry term used to describe all forms of call and multimedia/cross-media message-management functions controlled by an individual user for both business and social purposes. This includes any enterprise informational or transactional application process that emulates a human user and uses a single, content-independent personal messaging channel (mailbox) for contact access.
OK, so let's digest that information a bit. So basically, UC is any device and/or piece of software that allows you to aggregate messaging. For instance, say you use a hosted VoIP PBX for your business VoIP service. Some of these devices allow you to receive faxes, calls and have voicemails transcribed and sent to your inbox. The technology allows you to unify these forms of communication and is therefore a UC product.
Common UC Technologies
Unified communications systems can fall into a variety of categories. Many business VoIP services are also unified communications products. Common business VoIP UC technologies are hosted VoIP PBX systems and IP-PBX systems. There are also hybrid business VoIP systems that have qualities that can be attributed to both of these VoIP technologies. Other unified communications technologies are smart phones, like the iPhone or Blackberry, and web services like Google Buzz.
Why is UC Important?
Experts believe that aggregate comunications technologies are the future. The issue is, with so many different technologies and ways to transfer data, it is important that communications devices and software have the ability to digest that information and make it easily presentable to end users.
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As a Marketing Communications Manager at FreedomVOICE, John E Lincoln is responsible for educating consumers about the tremendous benefits that hosted VoIP PBX has to offer. This includes cost savings, productivity increasing features, unique support for remote workers, and more. Find out more about FreedomVOICE and the FreedomIQ Hosted VoIP PBX at http://www.freedomiq.com.
