To appreciate the value of unified communications, the emphasis really needs to be on “unified” versus “communications.” Any organization can communicate, with almost unlimited options for how they do it. But it takes a special mix of technologies and capabilities to make those communications truly unified. This allows the people involved to function as one tight and highly effective unit. More...

One of the great things about working on convergence is that I have the opportunity to regularly discuss UC with senior decision-makers of our business customers. Since UC is one of those terms that seems to mean just about anything depending on who you are talking to, we have wide-ranging conversations about the technology, best in class ways to implement UC solutions, and the features and benefits. This is all good stuff, and important to understand when you are committed to deploying UC. However, just as often I find myself in conversation with someone who says, "I understand all that, but I still don't know what UC means to my business." More...

When it comes to unified communications, in this brutal economy it’s all but impossible to make a case for benefits that aren’t easy to measure and immediately transferable to the bottom line. More...