Unified Messaging

Exchange Unified Messaging

Exchange Unified Messaging is the name that Microsoft has given to its new Exchange 12 version. The main thing about Exchange Unified Messaging is that it provides users with the ability to work simultaneously with email, voicemails and faxes. The voice mails and faxes are stored in the Exchange information store just as Exchange Server is storing email now.

Users of Exchange Unified Messaging are able to access the system with their Microsoft Outlook, but this is not just a consolidation of all mailboxes. It's actually about being able to work with emails, voicemails and faxes interchangeably, as for example you will be able to forward faxes or voicemails just like you are forwarding regular emails. And also, you can use the MS Outlook's Search feature to find certain voice messages.

Microsoft Exchange Unified Messaging features a new interface called Outlook Voice Access, or OVA. It allows you to check voice mail and email by phone. It works like a verbal version of Outlook, allowing you to check your email, tasks, calendar over the phone trough verbal instruction. By dialing into Exchange from a regular telephone, you can use voice commands to access your email and calendar. This basically means that Exchange Unified Messaging 2007 is an extension to your phone network. The Microsoft Speech Server technology can read back your e-mail and appointments. You can also verbally tell it to delete messages, accept appointments and more.

In Exchange Unified Messaging 2007, the fax functionality is limited as you can only receive faxes, but not able to send. So there is only inbound faxing capability. Every user is assigned a special fax extension, which is related to their mailbox. Users have a single number for fax and voice mail, so callers can send a fax to the voice mail extension. Exchange 2007 Unified Messaging relies on the Voice-Over-IP endpoints to detect the fax tone and take the required action. By default, the system is set to receive faxes, so the dial plan, user and Unified Messaging server are all fax enabled by default. Each user can change the option on his own from the FaxEnabled field. All fax messages receive as regular email with a '.tif' attachment.

E12 has a special option allowing callers to look up the extensions by "talking" to the automated attendant and then get transferred to the appropriate departments and so on.

Bottom line is that this new version is much better for the users and has plenty of new features, but it only runs on 64 bit machines, so you may need to buy new hardware to take advantage of it.

Pbx systems are telephone systems for medium and small businesses that will improve your image, save you money and keep you connected everywhere. OneBox provides free unified messaging, voicemail, email and fax - all in one place. Unified Messaging Services allow you to store voice messages in your mailbox along with your email. With your own virtual receptionist you can have all your calls professionally answered and the messages sent to you as a text and email.