Unified Communications (UC) refers to a trend in business to simplify and integrate all forms of communications. It is typically a software program and infrastructure improvement. In general, it allows an individual to send or receive a message on one medium and received on another. For example, one can receive a voice mail message and then read it in their email inbox using a unified communications program. The communications leveraged by this term can include phone, e-mail, chat, voice mail, and fax. The typical software program unifies these communication mediums so that any activity or message can be easily transferred to another. A successful implementation can automate and unify all forms of human and device communications into a common user experience. Gains in efficiency can result through an optimisation of business processes and enhancing human communications, managing flows, and eliminating device and media dependencies.
As a result of UC, a user/client may publish a 
Presence state to indicate their current communication status. This published state informs others that wish to contact the user of his/her availability and willingness to communicate. The most common use of presence today is to display an indicator icon on Instant Messaging clients, typically from a choice of graphic symbol with an easy-to-convey meaning, and a list of corresponding text descriptions of each of the states. Even when technically not the same, the "on-hook" or "off-hook" state of called telephone is an analogy, as long as the caller receives a distinctive tone indicating unavailability or availability.
Common states on the user's availability are "free for chat", "busy", "away", "do not disturb", "out to lunch". Such states exist in many variations across different modern instant messaging clients. Current standards support a rich choice of additional presence attributes that can be used for presence information, such as user mood, location, or free text status.
Financially, it is accepted that, for every £1 spent on UC, a business will make £3!
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Thinking about the ROI
of Unified Comms |
Or call on Freephone |
