In our previous discussion on the new buzz words in information technology, Unified Communications, we looked at how this new methodology is being used and changing the way businesses set up their information technology infrastructures. It is a system that seamlessly ties together all aspects of a company's IT devices by way of a server with the end user being able to access all of the devices from one source, which is the computer.
An example of the seamless connectivity that unified communications provides can be seen in use every day. I have a cell phone, as most people do, and it is a smart phone, which means that it has enhanced functionality that allows it to interface with the Internet, the VoIP phone system, GPS and my laptop. Now, every technician that works with our company has a smart phone as well and they have the same connective abilities, which they use in the field. Their phones, like mine, are part of our unified communications system, so that while they are in the field, all the information that is contained in the server, back in the office and in their computers, in the office, is always available to them right on their phone.
The technician is on a service call at a client's business and let's say the client's IT infrastructure is experiencing a problem that will not allow the technician to remote back to his computer in the office to get a piece of information that he needs to start resolving the client's problem, from our customer relations management software that contains information on every aspect of that client's IT infrastructure. In the past, this would have been an immediate problem which would have probably meant that the technician would need to place a phone call back to the office. Well, not anymore because with his cell phone being part of a unified communications system, the technician is able to access the customer relations management software right on his phone and pull up all the information relative to the client's infrastructure and find the piece of information needed to begin resolving the problem. His ability to do this is the result of his cell phone being connected directly to the server in the office that contains the information, which was communicated to his phone.
Another example of the unified communications platform occurred on a payday, where the client , who issues paychecks, had a family emergency and was not going to be able to get into the office. Normally, this would have meant that everyone would have had to wait until Monday to get paid, but with the UC platform in place, the accountant, from the hospital with his laptop, was able to access the office printer and print out every employee's paycheck with just the push of the enter button on his laptop and no one had to wait to get paid.
There are so many more real examples that I could give you regarding the UC connectivity and incredible functionality that it provides.
Now consider that the same unified communications platform is moving into the home market and does provide the home computer user with the ability to get some of the same UC functionality that businesses now have. The home user can get the same e-mail on their cell phone that is coming onto their PC. They can get an IP camera surveillance system that can be accessed, in real time, from their PC or cell phone, no matter where they are as long as they have Internet and they will be able to see exactly what's happening in their home or business without being physically there. Because of wireless technology, the home user can have their PC or laptop anywhere in the house, with the printer being in another room and still access the printer without even seeing it and there is so much more to include the technology that is being perfected and on its way to you and I.
The marriage of Unified Communication and information technology is producing some fascinating abilities in our world and the future possibilities are even more incredible and down right mind boggling. Don't be surprised when you're standing next to someone one day, and all of a sudden they pull out their cell phone or laptop, hit a few keys and beam away like in Star Trek. You remember, "Beam Me Up Scotty."
So, make sure you start paying closer attention to the person next to you or across from you when you're in the restaurant, club or coffee shop because you just might experience the now-you-see-them and now-you-don't phenomenon. Hey, it could happen!
Source: conferencingnews.com