Softswitch and VoIP Billing are to be considered the central element of a Unified Communication System
An evolution of technological communication architectures that automates and unifies all forms of human communications and devices in a single context. Its aim is to automate business processes and improve communication between people by reducing latency, controlling flows and removing devices and media dependencies. Today we’ll talk about Unified Communication in this article. So let’s Get started..
Currently there are a large number of unified communication channels, and of different types, made available to users of the technology. To put together a list (indicative but not at all complete):
- Telephony (landline, mobile, VoIP-based)
- Audio / video conferences
- Status (e.g. consider your Facebook contact list and relevant icons showing individual contacts online or off)
- Social media (think of Twitter, Facebook, Viber, WhatsApp, Instagram and so on …)
Each of these different communication channels generally requires its own application to access the information exchanged. As the number of channels we need to pay attention to increases, the more difficult it becomes to manage them all efficiently.
What is a unified communications system?
Unified Communication (UC) refers to a telephone network that incorporates various communication methods within the organization and enables them. Users can exchange and view data from a single centralized location, communicate in real time, and conduct audio and video conferences with multiple people by unifying phone calls, video conferencing, SMS, email, live chat and so on. Whatever your company is big or small, the right Unified Communications approach will take your company communications to the next level, helping to enhance teamwork, increase profitability, increase efficiency and enhance customer experience.
The components of a Unified Communication system
In order to be able to talk about Unified Communications, it is common opinion that the system must include the following components:
Call control system
The Softswitch and VoIP Billing are to be considered the central element of a unified communication system. The basic functions such as: answer / call, hold, call park, call transfer, Record call etc. They are the basic and essential elements of a Unified Communications system.
Presence
Presence means the user’s willingness to receive a communication. The system must be able to provide a notification system for which information is received that a user is online and available to receive both telephone and Instant Messaging communication.
Instant Messaging
Another element is the presence of an instant messaging system, a typical example is a Chat, obviously integrated into the system.
Unified Messaging
Unified messaging means the possibility of integrating different electronic messaging technologies and means of communication (email, SMS, fax, voice mail, video messaging, etc.) into a single interface that can be accessed from a variety of different devices (PC, Smartphone, Tablet).
Automated voice systems and personal assistant
The Unified Communication systems integrate one or more voice recognition systems and the more advanced ones a virtual assistant. For example: IVR (Interactive Voice Response), TTS (text-to-speech) announcements, etc.
Conference system
The Unified Communications systems also integrate systems for carrying out audio and video conferencing, that is, the possibility of communicating with several users at the same time, as well as the possibility to invite users to participate in the conference.
Collaboration tools
Another component consists of all collaboration tools such as sharing files, information or your desktop.
Integration with mobile systems
The unified communication system, to be such, must be able to integrate users who work on the move therefore the integration of smartphones and tablets are required. This integration allows you to enable users to work wherever they are as if they were at their work station.