Unified communications encompasses a broad range of technologies and many
potential applications. With unified communications, subscribers reduce the number of
places they must check for incoming voice, fax, e-mail messages, and other media types.
From a single interface, they can check for all messages.
Unified communications encompasses all forms of call and multimedia/crossmedia
message-management functions controlled by an individual user for both business
and social purposes. This includes any enterprise informational or transactional
application process that emulates a human user and uses a single, content-independent
personal messaging channel (mailbox) for contact access. Unified communications
provides a new source of revenue and the opportunity to streamline product and service
offerings. By keeping the interfaces intuitive and the applications tailored to the market
segments, service providers can build stronger customer loyalty and be more attractive
to new customers, whether they are residential or small-business customers.ØU†