Unified Communications

A unified communications solution generally refers to software that combines multiple means of communicating, including voice calls, video conferencing, and direct and team messaging. These products often also facilitate the sharing of content, and productive team sessions via electronic whiteboarding.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic and the widespread introduction of remote or hybrid working models, unified communications solutions have been adopted by businesses on an unprecedented scale, and it’s likely they’ll be used in some form by the majority of companies for the foreseeable future.

Why Unified Communications Are Important

Adopting unified communications can help to future-proof your organisation, as this technology is expected by the majority of office workers and students. With the right infrastructure and the correct corresponding equipment, your team can work together quickly and effectively, from any location – across any platform and from almost any device.

The hybrid workforce and even the hybrid student body has seen consistent growth over the last few years, so it’s crucial that businesses and institutions have tools and systems in place that are both appropriate and ready to use. Unified communications services should be easy to access in meeting rooms, board rooms and in any spaces your team uses to collaborate or brainstorm, while remaining accessible to remote users too.

Leading Unified Communications Providers

When it comes to finding the right unified communications provider, there are many different options to consider, each with its own specific features – but nearly all of them have broadly the same functional offering. The clear leaders that provide unified communications as a service are Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Cisco Webex and Google Meet, and manufacturers can even produce technology that’s optimised to work best with one of these solutions.

Before you commit to a solution, it’s well worth thinking about workflow within your business. If you observe flexible working, then your technology has to be able to accommodate that. For instance, the use of Teams Rooms or Zoom Rooms is often combined with flexible connection methods, as users increasingly switch to BYOD and BYOM options.

The Universal AV team is perfectly placed to advise on and deliver the right unified communications system for your organisation. We make sure we have a thorough understanding of your priorities and consult with leading manufacturers to ensure we’re choosing the appropriate technology for your needs.