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I thought a post on Unified Communications (UC) was in order now that Microsoft has announced the imminent release of their Office Communications Server (OCS) 2007 product.

What is UC and what can it do for you or your business you ask?  Well, based on the definition from Cisco Systems you can have one management point for any type of communications, email, fax, images, voice or video.  Microsoft's definition is more application-centric, but encompasses not only where communications are centralized for an end-user (ex. Microsoft Outlook 2007), but what type of infrastructure will be necessary to deliver them to/from the end-users.

Microsoft summarizes how their UC solution works as follows:

"Microsoft unified communications technologies deliver VoIP, instant messaging, voice and videoconference, and unified messaging to the devices and productivity tools you use every day"

Because theirs is a software-based solution you can supposedly integrate much of your existing infrastructure:

• Core Infrastructure such as your IP network, PBX, VoIP/PBX Gateway using Exchange Server 2007 and Office Communications Server 2007
• PCs using applications such as Office, Office Communicator 2007 and Office Outlook 2007
• Supporting Windows Mobile powered devices such as PocketPCs or SmartPhones with Mobile versions of Office Communicator or Office Outlook, Office Outlook Voice Access or remote users with Web Access versions of Office Communicator or Office Outlook
• Supporting voice and conferencing using Live Meeting, Office Communicator 2007, Office Outlook Voice Access 2007 or RoundTable

UC will also help us communicate/collaborate more effectively with internal and external partners.  I am in the process of testing UC at my place of business and will provide some updates as we progress.  Have any of you integrated a UC solution?  If so, have you garnered any of the reported benefits and would you care to share your experience?