subject: Unified Messaging Solutions, Best Practices [print this page] The 21st century is certainly the technological era. This the era of gadgets and high end technology. Moreover, current technologies are being updated and upgraded. The improvements in technology have paved way to the creation of contemporary communication. It seems that three or four decades ago the only method of communication is a telephone and a snail mail. In place of the telephone, you can choose for the mobile phone, which you can take everywhere. You can also choose the fax or electronic mail instead of the snail mail. These new means of communication have indeed made the lives of the people a whole lot easier. Moreover, company owners have greatly gained from this advancement in communication technology. Due to the increasing number of communication methods, there is now a need to unify these means in order to prevent failure in communication. Unified messaging solutions can give you the chance to do just that.
You can organize your messages and improve communication between and your clients through these options. Nevertheless, the question remains, how will you do this? To gain more from these unified messaging solutions, here are some practices that you can try.
Obtaining an UMS that can be connected to your current VoIP service will surely provide more benefits. The ability to integrate both services do not just provide more advantages but it also enhances your company's performance.
Before signing a contract with any unified messaging solutions provider it is relevant that you ask for a quotation first. If, in case you do not have VoIP yet, ask for the total sum which includes the VoIP installation. Even with a VoIP already installed do not hesitate to inquire because UMS cost tends to be lower if you already have VoIP program. Do not forget that those who supply you with unified messaging services are also the ones supplying you with VoIP services.
Even though this communication alternatives allows you to incorporate everything into one inbox, it does not necessarily mean that you should integrate everything. Before making that integration, you have to evaluate the needs of the business that must be achieved through the integration of communication technologies. If the use of this technology requires retraining of workers then you might want to reconsider the features you want to avail.
Do not also overlook about the necessary applications and programs that you need in order to make the UMS application work. Applications like Microsoft's Live Communications Server 2005 and Microsoft Office Communicator 2005 may have to be installed.
Nevertheless, you must realize that unified messaging solutions do not solve messaging problems if the problem is with the consumer. In order for the program to be efficient, the end user must know how to use it.
