Unified communication (UC) is a business and marketing tool used by enterprises to describe the integration of different channels for enterprise communication. Enterprises use different modern techniques for communication such as instant messaging (Chat), Voice (over the internet), Mobility applications, audio messages, video conferencing, data and desktop sharing. The enterprises in 21st-century work from remote locations or different teams need to collaborate from different locations, this requires an effective communication channel. Unified communication is not just a single product but a group of products merged together to provide consistent user experience along with features across different devices and supporting different media types.
How Does Unified Communication (UC) Work?
Team collaboration tools for enterprises have emerged to provide real-time communication along with workflow-centric messaging. Different business communication tools that have been used over the years for real-time communication like video-conferencing and IP calling including usage of the communication network; this also includes non-real-time communication tools like chats and email. So to collaborate on any project different communication channels were used for better coordination of the team. But over time the teams size increased and this required better communication channels to inculcate different technology requirements of the team.
Unified communication emerged as a tool that would integrate the real-time and non-real-time communication so that the all the goals of an organization are met. Unified communication is not device dependent it’s organization dependent.
Unified communication is an integration of different backend systems along with frontend clients that support the access. For example, a web conferencing system would make use of different types of configuration at the backend like audio conferencing that in turn would be supported by the IP network. The front end would be supported by media players, with video and audio support.
UC also supports device mobility if the user switches from one mode of communications to another they will be able to join the same session without any interruption. For example, if a user starts a communication using an email platform suddenly the user needs to have an emergency meeting with all the teams. It can use a single click switch to real-time voice or video conferencing without changing the device.
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Unified communication systems and components can be installed using different verticals- Cloud (Private, public or hybrid), on-premises or a combination of both. Cloud-based Unified Communication (UC) is also called as UC as a Service (UCaaS). A single-vendor UC environment has demonstrated the best kind of integration with all devices and compatibility with different kind of technologies.
Operation between different devices and software’s remains a challenge for the Unified Communications provider. Currently, the barriers are mitigated by partnerships and open APIs.
Why Organizations Should Adopt Unified Communication (UC)?
Organizations that have an operational demand for collaboration need to have a Unified Communication (UC) tool. Remote location teams need to have connectivity and continuity in communication. Reduction in the unwanted delay in decision making and data transfer could help the enterprise run different projects simultaneously without delaying anyone. The trends towards Unified Communications seems to be very positive as the market is set to reach 16.8 percent CAGR by 2024 i.e. by the next six years the revenue will reach $143.49 Billion. The leading organizations that have invested in Unified Communication have created a string of creative and qualified individual working from remote locations. One of the main reasons that Unified communications will make an impact on the future, due to the adoption of cloud better known as UCaaS. Organizations earlier had to spend wisely on configuring the devices and installing tools for adopting a functional UC but now a user can sign-up for a UC at any instance.
In fact, Gartner reported that the adoption of UCaaS will lead to 90 percent of the enterprise stop investing in the on-premise environment by 2021. The UCaaS will also help in reducing the cost of providing better RoI for small and medium scale enterprise along with flexibility.
For more details, you can download our Whitepapers on Unified Communications.
