What Unified Communications is, and Why You Want it

One of the biggest obstacles faced when discussing unified communications is that nobody really knows what you’re talking about.

It’s rather simple – For most, the term is extremely vague.

For example, does this mean a phone system? Email? Faxes? Video Conferencing? Instant messaging? Or all of the above?

(Spoiler alert: It’s option six – all of the above!)

Also, what does it actually mean to be “unified?” Is “unified communications” really just another gimmick sales term designed to make this technology sound more technical and impressive?

Believe it or not, unified communications is actually a real thing. It’s not all sales talk and jargon.

Even better, unified communications represent something that is extremely helpful when it comes to managing every single aspect of your company’s external and internal interactions.

Ready to learn more? Let’s go.

Understanding the Concept of Unified Communications

Unified communications, often abbreviated UC, includes all of the tools your business uses for maintaining contact with both staff members and customers. This covers any and everything from video conferencing to your VoIP phone system.

However, it isn’t just a collection of various communication tools.

Unified communications actually represent a more strategic approach to how they are used, and how they interact with one another.

Here’s an example. What happens if someone leaves you a voicemail message? If you are using a traditional phone system, then the phone will blink to let you know there’s a message. If you are not at your desk or in the office, then you won’t even know that you missed the call, and it could have been a very, very important call.

With unified communications systems, you can link your voice mailbox to all other communication mediums. This means you may receive a text or email to let you know that you missed a call. The call may ring through to your mobile phone if you don’t answer after a few rings at your desk. You may even be able to receive a transcript of the voicemail left through email. This lets you get the idea of what a caller wanted quickly.

That is the bottom line of unified communications.

Put simply, all of the standard communication tools that you are already using will work together, making it easier to remain informed and connected. What’s even betters is if your UC system is set up properly – all this will happen automatically.

Reasons to Invest in Unified Communications

There are three primary advantages offered by unified communications. These include:

Connection: The entire point of the UC system is to help you remain connected – to your employees, vendors and customers. With unified communications in place, it will significantly reduce the possibility you are going to miss something important.
Convenience: With unified communications makes staying connected simple and efficient.
Value: When you implement unified communications, you are able to quantify things such as employee morale, efficiency and productivity. Even better, UC is affordable, making it a viable solution for even small businesses.

Now you know what unified communication is and why it is something you should adopt in your business. If you want improved efficiency and productivity for your workers and customers, then this is technology that you can no longer ignore. In the long run, it will help you build a more successful company.

Turn to AnchorSix for Unified Communications Help

Unified communications are a critical part of many businesses. It’s important to implement them correctly from the get-go. To do that, it’s best to turn to a productivity essentials pro.

Psst… that’s us.

If you need help, want guidance, or even have questions about anything UC, reach out to us today.