What is Unified Communications (UC)?

Unified Communications (UC) is a framework that integrates multiple, distinct business communication tools and services into a single, cohesive platform. Instead of using separate applications for different tasks, UC combines them to streamline workflows, reduce complexity, and enhance collaboration.

A comprehensive UC solution typically brings together a wide range of real-time and non-real-time communication methods, including:

• Voice: Business telephony (VoIP)
• Video: Video conferencing and web meetings
• Messaging: Instant messaging (one-to-one and group chats)
• Collaboration: Screen sharing and file sharing
• Presence: Real-time status to see if colleagues are available, busy, or on a call
• Unified Messaging: Voicemail-to-email and digital faxing

The core principle of UC is to deliver this wide range of functionality through a single interface—typically a desktop and mobile application—providing a consistent and intuitive unified user experience.