What Is Unified Messaging

Unified messaging was a new concept about ten years ago, now the questions no longer is What's unified messaging?" but rather: "What options can I get with a unified messaging service?" Unified Messaging is a term that covers the handling of different forms of communication such as voice, fax, email, SMS as objects in a single mailbox that the user can either from a regular email client or by telephone. This is already provided by various companies to which you can subscribe for a certain monthly fee. We have all these different emails, voice mails, fax messages and it sometimes really does get confusing, or you simply forget to check the fax or you are not physically there. This is the idea of unified messaging. It combines all those different systems into one.

The unified communications business is getting highly competative with Cisco unified messaging and Siemens unified messaging being amongst the leading providers.

Unified messaging is a computer based system that allows its subscribers to access all their messages at once, including emails, faxes and voice mail through a single storage box. The service provider supplies you with a phone number and an email address, so you can check your messages from the web or by dialing the telephone number, using just an ordinary phone. Unified messaging works the way it does, because the service provider stores all your different types of messages on a central server. The software running on the server transfers all your incoming messages to your inbox.

You can access your inbox from the web, using a smart-phone or a PC and read your emails, faxes and listen to your voicemails. You are also able to reply, delete and forward all messages. Alternatively, you can check your box by calling a telephone number and listen to your voice mail, faxes and email. At the very same number, colleagues or friends can leave messages and send faxes.

The extra features depend on the service provider. Usually, for a higher fee you can get notifications whenever a new message arrives in your inbox. Some services will even immediately forward it to your mobile phone. Sending the same fax to a group or recipients is also made easy by unified messaging. All you have to do is just fill in the recipients list. Optionally, you can attach files, or a fax. Other optional services include updates on various news channels chosen by the subscriber, like stock quotes or live sport scores. Most providers offer subscription plans for which you have to pay a certain monthly fee. Unified Messaging service provides work just like mobile phone operators.

Unified messaging system allows you to store voice messages in your mailbox along with your email.

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