Unified Communications: Making the mobile workforce a reality

Unified Communications (UC) allows employees to work from anywhere they have broadband Internet access.

The UC set-up goes far beyond what your basic Remote Access Services (RAS) and cell phone solution can provide. UC combines OCS (Office Communications Server), Exchange Server, and Office Communicator, along with VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) to do what its name implies: it ties together all your communications functions in to a unified whole that works from anywhere, providing a full suite of productivity tools to your mobile workforce.

Connecting to the business enterprise: simple and seamless
If you’re a mobile executive with a layover, all you need is access to a broadband Internet connection to be fully connected to your business enterprise. Your “office” is anywhere, providing seamless interaction with your employees and business contacts.

The same mobility is available to every employee, including customer service agents, when UC is coupled with Software as a Service (SaaS) ACD solutions. Mobility isn’t just for the jet set: UC allows for a true mobile workforce, providing a far more robust toolset than previously available and allowing for a highly productive, totally mobile team.

This means that whenever and wherever they connect to the office enterprise, employees will have access the full suite of communication tools, including email, calendars, voicemail, instant messaging, VoIP, audio, video, and web conferencing. They can interact with supervisors, coworkers, and customers as seamlessly as if they were sitting in the same room.

At home or on the road, the employee’s direct line connects through on a softphone on a PC or laptop. The system also integrates Windows mobile devices, providing new levels of flexibility, away or at the office. For instance, at the office an employee can log into any PC at any cubicle and have immediate access to their unique phone number and email (this is known as “hoteling”).

Have you had the opportunity to review the business benefits of Microsoft® Unified Communications? Did you know that Microsoft just released their enhanced UC release called “R2” last January? Check out the UC website to learn how the features and functionality of today’s mobile workforce tools can impact your business – and please leave a comment if I help answer your UC questions.

–Michael Haines

Michael Haines is Chief Information Officer for CXO Global Solutions. He has more than 25 years experience in IT.