There is no doubting the fact that software innovation has transformed modern workplaces and empowered workers who deal with information to operate with accelerated speed, effectiveness and intelligence. However, multilevel communication with colleagues and clients still remains a challenge. Frank Johnson peers at the complexities and evaluates how a unified communication system can help to streamline the communication process.

As we learned in the previous article, Unified Communications are a harmonious integration of modern digital communication tools such as e-mail, IM, phone calls, video conferencing and other online conferencing tools. The effective use of Unified communications can allow businesses to communicate more efficiently, while enhancing their productivity. Additionally, the use of familiar communication tools in a Unified Communication System further cuts down costs and reduces the time required to train employees on the use of newer forms of technology. A few commonly used Unified Communications software are Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Office Communication Server. Both these tools allow seamless messaging and communication collaboration.

While CRM is more successful than ever in present business scenarios, the cloud version of Office Communication Server provides a less expensive monthly subscription model, costing only $2 per user to utilize Windows Azure Servers for hosting this communication software. Unified communication tools are becoming ever more popular in business scenarios that are not conducive to holding on-site meetings with colleagues and clients. Thus, Unified Communications System provides organizations of all sizes with a competitive edge in the industry by uniting their workforce and helping the employees communicate with each other as well as with clients more quickly and efficiently. Thanks to unified communications, multiple queries can be answered promptly, issues can be resolved instantly and information can be shared instantaneously.

United communication technologies
Some of the most commonly uses Unified Communications technologies include the following:
Short Message Service (SMS): the message format transmitted and received by GSM compliant mobile phones.
Email: electronic text messages sent through the public Internet
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP): Allows voice messages to be transmitted over traditional IP networks with the help of protocols such as SIP or H.323
Voice Mail: the traditional method for receiving, transmitting and forwarding voice messages.
Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP): a set of protocols for accessing information directories.Session Initiation Protocol (SIP): a signaling protocol used for establishing a simple two-way telephone call or a collaborative multi-media conference session in an IP network through a host of innovative services such as voice-enriched e-commerce, Instant Messaging with buddy lists, web page click-to-dial and IP Centrex services.

Applying unified communications to your business
A recent study states that almost 70% of our calls end up in voice mails. Another study shows that every one in four workers dealing with information spend three full days each year trying unsuccessfully to communicate with others by phone. When they do manage to reach the other person there is no guarantee of the other person

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