Unified Communications
Here’s How you can Increase Productivity with Unified Communications
This is the first in a five part series on Unified Communications. In this first article I’m going to cover important issues such as the financial advantages of remote working and the depth of influence Tablets and Smart Phones have on UC.
The world over, Unified Communications (UC) is linked to the upswing in productivity. The trend has not gone unnoticed by CEO’s and senior management. In essence, UC is the streamlining of all types of communications in order to escalate the efficiency of information-sharing.
Unified Communications is a business and technology trend that has been on the upsurge for a few years now. Any business craving productivity improvements ought to weigh up acquiring more knowledge about the tools that are available to unify communications.
What is Unified Communications? Unified communications bridges the gap between IP Telephony and other computer related communication technologies.Unified Communications is not a single product, but a set of products that provides a consistent unified user interface and user experience across multiple devices and media types.
Unified Communications
As the name implies, UC connects all forms of communications so that you can easily integrate them. An example would be voice calls and email together so that you may receive a message in one form (voice mail) but answer in another form (email) or perhaps collaborating on a web conference using instant message, video and voice all from your PC or Mac.
Now there is variety of different paraphernalia and software applications which are available to create unified communications.
VoIP
The VoIP service was one of the first tools to begin unifying communications. This is a phone service channelled through data networks and the Internet. It allows for effortless integration of online information with voice interaction.
An excellent example of this would be where a VoIP user is on a call with a client and with one mouse click converts the conversation into a collaborative web conference with video and voice, a second click to easily include additional members.
Mobility and Smart Phones
It takes considerably more than a laptop and mobile phone to keep remote workers connected. Yes they are two important devices, however when operating as individual silos, remote staff are no more effective. Nowadays, smart mobile phones are capable of holding a strong position in the unified communications mix. The smart phone has revoultionised our world.
Here are some ideas for you to consider. Empower smart phone and tablet users with VoIP phone system applications so users can be productive no matter where they are. ‘Real time presence’ is often referred to as a gimmick, however consider the following scenario. Before you call, instantly know if a person is busy or unavailable no matter where you are. Better still here’s a great example of eliminating telephone tag, imagine instantly knowing when a person becomes available in your
Before you call, instantly know if a person is busy or unavailable no matter where you are. Better still here’s a great example of eliminating telephone tag, imagine instantly knowing when a person becomes available in your office, when you are out of the office. That’s powerful! Single number contact features for key employees like “Find Me”, “Follow Me” and “Mobile Twinning”. This is where your mobile phone rings when your office phone rings or perhaps converting your smart phone into your very own unified communications mobile office. So far we’ve covered how unified communications positively impacts on our most fertile resource, time. Previously UC was more likely used by businesses at
So far we’ve covered how unified communications positively impacts on our most fertile resource, time. Previously UC was more likely used by businesses at bigger end of town, now a small nimble micro business with the right tools has the ticket to compete on equal footing with their larger compatriots. In part two of this series I’m going to examine a ready made UC solution, how to re-harvest existing technology investments and the ultimate unfair advantage.