Forrester

Unified communications (UC) is a platform that intelligently integrates several communication and collaboration applications to improve business processes. The combination of presence and availability with voice, video, email, and instant messaging makes it easier to communicate via the optimal path with employees, customers, and suppliers, and it ultimately streamlines business processes. Although the many applications associated with UC platforms can be deployed as standalone, UC provides a common user interface for these applications that makes it simpler for employees to use them on an integrated platform. This promotes higher use of these applications and results in improved business processes and employee productivity.