What Is Unified Communications?

Unified Communications (UC) is a set of answers designed to make different tech tools in a business work together. These communication solutions include instant messaging (IM), IP telephony (IPT), voice over internet protocol (VOIP), email, and VOIP with video chat.  

With UC, all communication services are fully integrated. UC helps businesses communicate better and makes work easier for employees.

 

How UC Helps Business Owners

UC makes daily tasks easier for businesses by:

  • Letting teams talk and work together through different gadgets like phones, computers, and more.
  • Making it possible to work from almost anywhere.
  • Creating cost savings with the use of online services instead of expensive equipment.
  • Making customers happier by helping them faster.
  • Helping teams work together on projects by sharing screens and giving quick feedback.
  • Often the best solutions are UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) when the solution is designed, implemented, and supported by one solution provider.

Aside from businesses, schools, hospitals, and other organizations can benefit from UC. It helps different teams work together more efficiently.

 

How to Plan UC for Your Business

Thinking about using UC? Here’s a guide on how to start:

  • Assess and Identify Needs.
    • Examine your current communication tools.
    • Ask key teams which tools they feel are essential or lacking.
  • Research and Budget.
    • Explore various UC providers, comparing their services and costs.
    • Allocate a suitable budget for UC implementation.
  • Training.
    • Choose a provider and ensure your staff knows how to use the new tools effectively.
    • Use training resources or sessions offered by the provider.
  • Implement in Phases.
    • Begin the UC rollout with a controlled group.
    • Gradually expand to other departments, ensuring smoother transitions and addressing issues.
  • Feedback and Review.
    • Collect feedback from the initial users.
    • Review to improve and ensure your UC solution remains effective over time.
  • Stay Updated.
    • The tech world moves fast. Keep an eye out for updates or new features from your UC provider to ensure you get the most out of your investment.

This guide is a general UC roadmap. You can tailor each step based on your business needs and circumstances.

 

Embracing the Future of Business Communication

UC is a practical tool that can help your team communicate better. By setting it up right, you can streamline work processes for your employees and improve how you connect with clients. It’s an intelligent step towards smoother, faster communication in your company. It’s not just about keeping up with technology; it’s about leveraging it to move forward.

 

 

Additional Information

Tech Target: Unified Communications (UC)

Microsoft: Unified Communications 101: What Businesses Need to Know

 

 

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By Denis Wilson

Cybersecurity Expert, Small Business Technology Consultant, Managed Services Provider, Managed IT Support

Thanks for reading this post. I always take into mind that your time and attention are precious. And these posts need to be timely, to the point, and short. For more tips on thriving with small business technology, check out the other blog posts at DWPIA Blogs. You can also find me on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook. 

I am also a published author and speaker on cloud computing, work-from-anywhere, and cybersecurity. I work extensively with business and professional associations to provide small business technology education programs.

Contact me if you have any questions about the subject. I'd be happy to spend 15 minutes discussing it with you.