UC, OK, but ...

Data News Business ForumTom Van Wint

My definitionUC is not a product

Instead, UC is a combination of products, tied in a way that any device can use any resource

UC is therefore a concept

UC vs UM• Unified Messaging takes care of all non-real-

time communications (mail, fax, SMS, ...)• Unified Communications takes care of all real-

time communications (voice, video, ...)

But what is voicemail then? And what is voicemail-to-mail then?

Components• Communication channels

– Mail– Fax– Voice (and voice conferencing)– Video (and video conferencing)– Chat (IM)– Presence– Desktop sharing

• Devices– PDA– Fax– Phone (mobile or fixed)– Video equipment– PC

Arguments• Project delays because you don’t know HOW

to contact a colleague?• CapEx is evil! (Is it?)

... and a bunch we’ve already heard about during the transition to IP telephony

The green grass at the other side ...

• One voicemail system, preferrably the Office• Presence identification• Integrated messaging, such as fax, mail and voicemail• Instant Messaging• Conferencing (audio & video)

The green grass at this side ...

• Which voicemail system? Why not forward?• Presence should be managed, but ...• Fax-to-mail, sound on platforms such as Citrix• Is IM really “more productive”? And is it “instant”?• Is conferencing a UC feature? Who takes credit?

Device centric to User Centric• A MUST READ: SIP Communications for

Dummies• SIP URIs and consequences• Increased complexity for techs?

Processes ... Some funny examples• Demo of IM to backoffice• Star Trek• The Ends of the Saucage

My crystal ball

• UC will become a standard feature in any communication system

• The cloud ...

My crystal ball

The McCloud ...