Unified Communication is a packaged solution to all business communication tools like VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), Internet telephony, Audio, Video & web Conferencing, fixed and mobile voice, e-mail, instant messaging etc. Two levels of Unified Communication scenario are data and voice. Data includes traditional e-mail, instant messaging & SMS, calendaring etc., while voice can include standard telephone, mobile phone services, voice chat, voice mail, Audio, Video & web Conferencing solutions etc.

Unified Communication is crafted to offer a single interface solution to all the business function across the organization, the solution which will allow cross device connectivity. Every organization use Unified Communication in its own surroundings and with company’s own requirements. It is not necessary to apply all the applications of Unified Communication all the time.

Using the Unified Communication scenario, the idea of Virtual workplaces will flourish further and will see a boom. You will never make to enter a typical workplace or to leave it. The office will move around with you. Many such tools that give the fake experience of being physically there like Telepresence or Second Life will seek usage growth. Other than this, IP telephony is gaining acceptance in organizations. IP telephony offers you the combined facility of voice and data along with other facilities like call conferencing, call forwarding and message conferencing that too on a single line.

To help understand this better, it can be simplied that, Unified Communication is best implemented by CISCO. It combines rich audio with high definition video to create a live face to face meeting. With Unified Communication, a person can be a part of the meeting when he/she is physically not there in conference room.

Unified communication system was implemented within the UGT Project, connecting the Head Office and 17 branches of Tao Bank into an integrated telephone network system. UGT is one of the leading system integrator and provider of solutions in the field of information and communication technology.

In India, the concept of UC is in early stages of penetration in corporate world, but to the surprise of readers ,according to a survey report, total market size of Unified communication is approximately $670 million till date in 2008 and this number is going to boost up to $1 billion by 2010. The above statistics slates the expansion of the technology in India. Though, most important growth area comprises telephony and mobility services. In India, the videoconference market valued at $4.0 million in 2006 and $5.5 in 2007 means the growth of 37.9%. The value is supposed to 23.4%in next 5 years.

The Unified Communication is a new technology which is slowly getting its popularity among big organizations. But, it is needed to spread awareness about the technology among common people to make it a significant part of the Information technology epoch. With time, always trends have changed and influenced the people around them. Unified Communications will also change the attitude of people towards the technology.

Satinder Kaur/ITVoir Network