Gigantic, huge, enormous, massive, vast, immense! Six words that all describe just how Unified Communications (UC) has rocked the business world in the past two decades. The use of UC has had a tremendous impact and influence on the business world. Much more than you may know if you are not currently taking advantage of this must-have technology.

When did Unified communications take off? UC, as we know it today, wasn’t available until the 90s. VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) was developed in 1995, and in 1996 session-initiated protocol (SIP) was designed. VoIP allowed us to make phone calls over the Internet, and SIP controlled multimedia communication sessions over the Internet.

The two technologies work together to provide access to communication tools from a range of communication devices and media. This kind of access allows people in an organization to be connected no matter where they are. Unified communication technology is one of the leading solutions in the field of IT that has enhanced the efficiency of business processes and customer engagement.

In the past years, the IT industry has witnessed many collaborative software solutions and related tools to provide a platform for businesses to expand. In this dynamic, fast-moving world, and with the current technological advancement, it is crucial that companies can access communication tools from a range of communication devices. Unified communications integrate many communication services, including:

• Voice/VoIP technology
• SMS – Instant messaging/chat
• Online visibility
• Audio, web, and video conferencing
• Integrated voice mail
• Email
• Fax
• Team collaboration features (e.g., screen sharing)
• Call recording
• Voice recognition
• Centralized management

This kind of access allows people in an organization to be connected no matter where they are. Unified communication technology is one of the leading solutions in the field of IT that has enhanced the efficiency of business processes and people engagement.

UCaaS – Unified Communications in The Cloud

UC made a gigantic influence on business worldwide when UC technology moved into the cloud and could be offered as a service. UCaaS, Unified Communications as a Service, is the standard now for many businesses, and usage has increased greatly in every industry.

The cloud is enormous, a vast network of computers where the communications software is hosted on a massive array of computers. The software is not hosted on a single computer but in a data center or many data centers worldwide. The cloud model provides redundancy. If there is a failure of one computer, another computer takes over the work without interruption.

The cloud has also transformed the concept of computer software as a product to a service. Traditionally, businesses bought the software packages they needed and hosted those software packages on their own computers and networks.

If a company wanted upgrades to more recent versions, it had to purchase and install them on its own computers while ensuring no interruptions to the business at the same time upgrades were being performed.

With the cloud, the software is now sold as a service where costs vary by the number of users and required features. Because the software is hosted in distant data centers, there is no hardware to purchase and maintain and software to download and install.

If your business grows, you can simply purchase more licenses from the provider and get back to business without worrying about more hardware and software investments.

For a business, the SaaS model offers much less risk. Your company’s costs are fixed, and there is no need to staff an IT department to ensure that the phone system is up and running and secure from possible threats of intrusion and compromise of sensitive company data.

With phone services in the cloud, you are buying a service, not a product. Your UCaaS provider manages all the specifics of the system while you simply reap the benefits. The SaaS model’s big win is that software can be updated and new features made available without any action by the user.

Note: Crexendo manages our own data centers located in the US. With 99.999% uptime, you have extremely reliable service. Our team of certified engineers and security professionals keeps your unified communication services up and running while monitoring our services and your data 24/7.

UC Enormous Influence on Workplace Communications

Unified Communications has had an immense influence and essentially transformed the way businesses, their employees, and customers communicate. With the incorporation of the many communications technologies and information sharing applications, UC has changed how communication is done in the work environment.

The convenience, ease-of-use, and 24×7 availability of UC enhances employee performance and increases workplace productivity. Unified Communication technology provides real-time communication among users, including voice, video, messaging, meetings.

For example, users can access groupware calendars. With this, they can accept or reject meeting requests through the interface provided. Also, UC users can access and set up appointments or meetings and check what is on their schedule.

UC Systems have a call feature that enables users’ access to real-time control. This is possible through call completion features such as automatic call return capabilities, missed call log with call return capabilities, and outbound dialing from the personal address books.

The call feature makes it possible for one to answer the calls or send messages from whatever location they could be. While out of the office, an employee can trace the calls made to them while away.

Because your UC system is really just software that moves voice and data traffic around the network, it also contains valuable metadata. This metadata can tell you the time the call took place, the sending party, the receiving party, and the Automatic Number Identification (ANI), which lists the number of the calling party. It also identifies the Dialed Number Identification Service (DNIS) number, which gives the number of the called party.

Another significant feature provided by UC technology is the messaging. Messaging features deliver user access to voice and email messages through a simple interface. This typically occurs via a single interface through the telephone, desktop PC, or mobile device.

The latest generation of UC systems includes “personal assistants” with speech recognition technology. These assistants help mobile employees manage their communication, including messaging, call control, groupware, and other enterprise data.

Contact Crexendo now!

Crexendo’s patented cloud-based Unified Communications systems are engineered and custom-developed in-house. We offer 100% U.S.-based customer support. Get the power of a world-class solution with the personalized cost-saving service your business deserves. Call 602-714-8500 now!