Unified Communications - Overview

In the past, inefficiencies in how people communicate were considered acceptable losses - like missed voicemails, not knowing whether someone is online, having to wait hours for a simple Yes/No answer. But the reality is that today, slow and asynchronous communications are a huge competitive disadvantage. Both enterprise and mid-size companies should care, and take action now to simplify the way people work.

Did you know...

• 60% of business phone calls go to voicemail

• 67% of business IM sessions transition to a phone

• The average information worker gets 51 messages a day in up to 7 different places

• For 50% of the calls workers make, they have to look up the phone number

The results of disconnected communications? Poor customer response times, wasted time looking up contact info, missed business opportunities, being tied to a physical office, disruption of workflow...the list goes on. Customers are demanding more. (View our UC additional resources page for recorded webinars and more.)

The communications world is split in two—between the things you do on the telephone and the things you do on the computer.

The split exists because most real-time (synchronous) communications--like telephone calls and voice mail--depend on one network, while message based (asynchronous) communications--like e-mail--depend on a separate, incompatible network.

Real-time (synchronous) communications run on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Asynchronous communications run on packet-based networks like Ethernet (IP).

The split creates problems, lots of them. Phones aren't as intuitive as they should be: just try to start a three-way call without hanging up on someone. Computers can check your e-mail, but not your voice mail. And then there's the enormous cost of purchasing, maintaining, and upgrading two complex infrastructures.

To get your phones and your computers talking, you'd have to tear out your entire telephone system, dump your PBX, replace every desk phone, swap out every phone jack. In short, you'd have to start from scratch.

Unified Communications is no longer a "nice to have". It is becoming critical for top-performing companies.With Unified Communications technologies now available, leading companies are integrating their communications tools to simplify the way people work together. Now they're outpacing their competition.

Microsoft unified communications technologies bridge the divide between computers and telephones with two integrated servers: Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 and Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007. They integrate with your company's existing phone system and deliver complete communications services using your existing data network.

No forklift required: Microsoft unified communications technologies maximize your existing infrastructure by integrating legacy PBX systems through a VoIP/PBX gateway.

With Microsoft unified communications technologies, the computers on your network gain the functionality of advanced VoIP phones. Users can click to call any contact in their address book. A simple phone call can become a conference call or a video conference, on the fly.

Now more than ever, people need to close more business, do it faster, and do it for less! Unified communications allow companies to do just that-sharing information with anyone in the world in a fraction of the time (and at a fraction of the cost) compared to the old way of doing things.

Microsoft unified communications technologies tear down the walls that separate tele-communications and computing. And they do it with software that leverages your existing telecommunications infrastructure. More than just VoIP, we're talking about breaking down all the traditional communications silos. Voicemail and faxes move over the network like e-mail. They arrive in your Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 inbox where you can sort, prioritize, and forward them, just like any piece of e-mail.

And when you're on the road, you can dial in over any telephone to hear your e-mails and your calendars. You can even access your Microsoft Office Outlook directory and place calls from any telephone.

The Ensynch Difference

Ensynch has been an early adopter of Unified Communications with an impressive portfolio of clients that we've helped deploy enhanced communications environments. We understand the nuances of deploying UC in your unique organizations. Our clients know they are getting proven, consistent solutions and "Whatever IT Takes" commitment, to deliver unparalleled return on investment.

Ensynch delivers proven processes for helping you optimize your communications platform.  By providing your workforce with the latest tools to communicate and collaborate whenever and wherever they need to, your organization is in the best possible position to compete.

If you want a clear picture of how you might benefit from this solution, we have developed the following Unified Communications offerings which will quickly assess the health and productivity of your existing communications environment and give you a roadmap to roll out a more productive, collaborative platform.

Ensynch "Simplify with Unified Communications" offerings:

• Unified Communications upgrade assessment
• Compliance needs/benefits discovery
• Collaboration discovery and conceptual design
• Unified Communications Quickstart

Request more information about how Ensynch can help you increase productivity and reduce costs by leveraging Unified Communications.