Understand Unified Communications

About unified communications

What is unified communications? - Unified communications (also known as UC) is designed to enable users to manage a variety of devices and applications through one single environment. This simplifies the whole process and users can then, for example, make and take calls from a mobile phone, PDA or from a desk-phone regardless where they are located and from the device that is the most accessible... [Read More]

The future of unified communications - The trend in this area is set to continue to develop and grow for a number of reasons. New and more effective methods of communication are constantly being developed, for example we now see the growth 3G (Third Generation Mobile Network) which gives greater capability and capacity to mobile phones, PDAs and their users... [Read More]

Why unified communications? - Unified communications technology automates, unifies, or integrates all forms of communications with the aim of improving and maximising processes that have previously been heavily dependent on human interaction... [Read More]

The benefits of unified communications - To start with, unified communications enable personnel to focus on communicating with customers rather than the method of
communication that they are using... [Read More]

Potential pitfalls - Unified communications is still in a relatively early stage of technological evolution and it is important to be aware that any equipment purchased now needs to be compatible with future developments in communication technology... [Read More]

Download and Go! - If you don't have time to read the whole Understand section online you can download the content in our ebook as a pdf and read on the go.

Buying and installing unified communications

Six steps to successfully buying unified communications – A ‘How to’ guide for purchasing the right system... [Read More]

Points to remember when installing unified communications - It is highly recommended that you have a professional company install and support your unified communications system. But, to understand the process, here’s a quick and simple guide to what happens during the installation... [Read More]

Unified communications case studies

Nexus PR improves employee collaboration and customer responsiveness with unified communications - Nexus PR is responding to customers faster and encouraging more collaboration between staff, through a new Unified Communications solution from Fabric Technologies. The solution has also allowed the business to reduce operational costs... [Read More - pdf]

Cisco helps York Hospitals NHS Trust - NHS organisations in the Selby and York region have created a Community of Interest Network based upon Cisco technology that is improving the delivery of healthcare services from a large hospital... [Read More - pdf]

Wycombe District Council implements customer service improvement strategy - Wycombe District Council serves 162,000 people and has around 650 staff. It is in Buckinghamshire and has three historic town centres – HighWycombe, Princes Risborough and Marlow – surrounded by the scenic... [Read More - pdf]

Wellcome trust increases public access to health knowledge pool with cisco systems - Cisco is at the core of the Wellcome Trust’s drive to make its healthcare research and knowledge more accessible to the general public so that the community gains improved understanding of how... [Read More - pdf]

Cisco helps midlands city academy strive for educational excellence - Built upon the former TP Riley Community School, Walsall Academy introduced a Cisco IP data and voice solution and is now developing a reputation for good behaviour, improved academic performance and excellence in IT resources... [Read More - pdf]

Questions and answers

What is unified communications? - Unified communications is a system that allows users to access data and communications such as voicemail, email, text... [Read More]

How does it work in practice? - It allows you to do all your work from just one device. For example, have your office phone calls forwarded to your mobile phone; emails sent as... [Read More]

Why do I need it? - It really can simplify your work life, on the basis that you will be contactable regardless of where you are and whether you are using a phone, mobile, PDA, laptop etc... [Read More]

Is it something that I can install myself? - No, unless you are extremely technically competent! If your unified communications system is poorly installed, you could lose all methods of contact... [Read More]

< Read more questions and answers about unified communications.

In summary about unified communications

Unified communications is a complex technology but set to be a massive growth area because of the many benefits that it can clearly deliver.

Before embarking upon a unified communications project, it is important to understand exactly what you are trying to achieve, how it will impact the people in your organisation and your customers.

If you have a relatively simple method of communications in place such as using phones and mobiles, it may not be appropriate to purchase a full unified communications system. A far simpler method may be available to integrate the two. This may in the short-term be the most effective and low cost option.

Unified communications may encapsulate the needs of a small company but also the global giant corporate. Clearly the needs will be different, but unified communications still lends itself extremely well to the smaller organisation who perhaps do not have the budgets to employ receptionists, secretaries and the ongoing annoyance and distraction to individuals having to take calls, messages or trying to track down an individuals whereabouts.