These things can all be part of the same telephone solution. Look at it this way…
VoIP best describes “voice over a data network” whereas IP Telephony is the hardware (handsets, servers, switching equipment). Unified Communications refers to a set of features available with IP Telephony solutions.
Unified communications bridges the gap between IP Telephony and other computer related communication technologies.
IP (Internet protocol) telephony is a Telephone System that supports telephone calls on your computer network. In the office you will see that your telephone can now plug into the same cable as your computer bringing both devices and their full potential closer together.
UC 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.
Some of the features include…
- Instant Messaging
- Real time presence information
- Video Conferencing
- Complex Call control
- Web Conferencing
- Speech recognition
- Unified messaging
- Voice mail
- Email Integration
- SMS
- Desktop Fax Integration
- Mobility
- Remote Workers
- Multi-Site organisations
- Software Integration
- Web Collaboration