Features

Features

• Cisco UCM voice over IP system: Product overview

  Designed for small and medium businesses, as well as large enterprises, Cisco UCM provides voice over IP technology that can replace a legacy telephone system.  Continue Reading

• Game of Phones: Desk handsets still rule office phones

  The demise of desk phones has been predicted for years, but they stubbornly stick around. Why haven't alternatives to traditional office phones caught on?  Continue Reading

• As iPads multiply, enterprises look to take UC mobile

  In UC, mobile features have always been one step behind -- and when BlackBerrys dominated, that was OK. But times, and requirements, have changed.  Continue Reading

• Comparing the leading VoIP vendors and their products

  Before purchasing a VoIP system, enterprises need to carry out careful research as VoIP vendors offer intricate products with varying capabilities.  Continue Reading

• Users praise, critique Microsoft Surface Hub

  As early adopters evaluate the Microsoft Surface Hub, shipping of the large-screen collaboration device has been pushed back by four months.  Continue Reading

• What you need to consider before you buy VoIP

  When assessing VoIP systems, first consider VoIP features and functions, then gauge the scope of the service, network needs and plans for expansion.  Continue Reading

• Toshiba IPedge VoIP System Product Overview

  The Toshiba IPedge is a secure software-based VoIP system intended to replace legacy telephony.  Continue Reading

• Simplicity of Web-based collaboration tools gains appeal

  For so long, UC apps have been in a separate silo. Web-based collaboration tools like Cisco Spark and Unify Circuit bring UC to where users actually work.  Continue Reading

• Three use cases that highlight the benefits of VoIP

  Migrating from standard telephony to VoIP can be beneficial. In this article, telephony expert Jon Arnold examines three common VoIP use cases.  Continue Reading

• Analyzing VoIP basics reveals telephony's evolution

  Telephony expert Jon Arnold dissects enterprise VoIP basics -- including the technology's evolution and how it works -- and compares it with legacy telephony.  Continue Reading

• UC services, projects rank modestly in networking survey

  UC services, projects and planned investments rank in the middle of the pack among IT pros' networking goals in a recent TechTarget survey.  Continue Reading

• Video-conferencing hardware fine-tunes music academy's virtual classrooms

  Video-conferencing hardware has helped the Iconic Music Academy connect virtual classrooms worldwide with affordable technology.  Continue Reading

• Cisco Spark vs. Unify Circuit: Comparing collaboration apps

  Collaboration apps that target mobile workgroups are making their way into the enterprise. Our chart compares two high-profile apps: Cisco Spark and Unify Circuit.  Continue Reading

• Cloud UC benefits extend to disaster recovery

  If a disaster knocks out on-premises UC systems, business grinds to a halt. But that's also when cloud UC's benefits around disaster recovery shine.  Continue Reading

• Collaboration applications faceoff: Microsoft vs. Cisco

  Microsoft's Skype for Business and Cisco's Jabber and WebEx have similar features. Here, we compare these collaboration applications to find the similarities and differences.  Continue Reading

• New analytics tools help track video conferencing usage

  You’ve invested heavily in video conferencing. Was it worth it? New analytics tools try to answer that question by reporting on video conferencing usage.  Continue Reading

• What do you need to know before adopting video as a service?

  What should you know about video as a service before you deploy? Video expert Stephen Campbell explains how it integrates with existing endpoints and how to choose a provider.  Continue Reading

• Is your Web conferencing service as secure as you think?

  In general, Web conferencing service security is tight, but experts warn some gaps could be exposed. Find out what safeguards to put in place to keep your data secure.  Continue Reading

• Top 10 expert tips on UC services from 2014

  From mobile UC to WebRTC gateways, check out our top 10 UC services tips of 2014.  Continue Reading

• Top 10 UCC news highlights reveal 2015 trends

  The top 10 UC news highlights of the year point to trends in cloud-based UC, collaboration tools, WebRTC and mobile applications that enterprises can't ignore.  Continue Reading

• Enterprises slow to adopt 4K video

  4K video is the next step in high definition video conferencing, but are enterprises ready to adopt?  Continue Reading

• Enterprise voice upgrades can break more than they fix

  Upgrading an enterprise voice platform is rarely as simple as hitting the 'install' button. One voice engineer shares her tips for ensuring voice upgrades don't break other apps.  Continue Reading

• UC federation: Last hope or lost cause for multi-vendor UC?

  Multi-vendor UC is still a struggle for many enterprises. UC federation products claim to fill the gap, so why haven't they taken off?  Continue Reading

• Better mobile UC possible with voice over LTE

  While hurdles exist, wireless voice over LTE, or VoLTE, could bring innovation to video conferencing, IM and file sharing that improves mobile unified communications with new apps and services.  Continue Reading

• Comparing video conferencing services

  With so many video conferencing services available, it can be difficult to determine which is right for your enterprise. Use this chart to help decide which service meets your needs.  Continue Reading

• A new take on video conferencing in healthcare

  In this Q&A, an engineer at the Ryan Seacrest Foundation describes how his organization is using Polycom video conferencing in pediatric hospitals to improve the quality of life for young patients receiving care there.  Continue Reading

• Will WebRTC video blow up the network?

  Initiating a video conference should be as easy as making a phone call, and WebRTC video is getting us closer to that. But could the network become a victim of WebRTC's success?  Continue Reading

• Lync voice capabilities mature, but can they replace PBXs?

  Microsoft shook up the UC market with Lync 2013. But are Lync's voice capabilities good enough yet to replace legacy PBXs?  Continue Reading

• Cross-platform networks cause UC vulnerabilities

  Cross-platform communication is particularly susceptible to data attacks. What can IT do to mitigate security vulnerabilities in UC environments?  Continue Reading

• Striving for secure unified communications

  With security threats on the rise, IT must pay special attention to secure unified communications components, reports Jim Romeo.  Continue Reading

• Benefits of video conferencing include less travel, but it's not No. 1

  Reduced travel has long been the top reason to deploy video, but enterprises find the soft benefits of video conferencing reap greater rewards.  Continue Reading

• ShoreTel Dock review: Combining mobility and desktop phone quality

  The ShoreTel Dock and mobility application for iPads and iPhones gives mobile devices desktop voice quality.  Continue Reading

• How WebRTC technology could turn enterprise video on its head

  WebRTC technology promises video chat between browsers without plug-ins or installs. If video gets cheap and easy, will it overtake the enterprise?  Continue Reading

• UC transition from PBX systems surges as vendors end PBX support

  After years of predictions, the enterprise transition from PBX systems to UC platforms is finally gaining speed as vendors phase out PBX support.  Continue Reading

• VoIP and unified communications define the future

  Chapter 6 of the book "VoIP and Unified Communications: Internet Telephony and the Future Voice Network" offers a history of VoIP and UC technologies.  Continue Reading

• Top 10 UC tech news highlights of 2013

  What big UC tech news articles did you miss in 2013? We highlight unified communications news stories in this top 10 countdown.  Continue Reading

• Compare Cisco and Lync UC platform features while market is ripe

  Are you deciding between Cisco and Lync UC platforms? This article compares features from each vendor and explains why the competition is so tough.  Continue Reading

• Top 13 tips of 2013: UC tech how-tos

  Check out our UC tech how-tos with our expert's top 13 tips of 2013, from tracking softphone traffic to calculating video-conferencing bandwidth.  Continue Reading

• Answers to your top UC questions of 2013

  Check out our experts' answers to your top UC questions of 2013, from explaining the different conferencing methods to the benefits of SIP trunking.  Continue Reading

• Best learning content of 2013: Top 10 unified communications tutorials

  Looking for learning content on unified communications technology? These top 10 tech tutorials highlight the most popular pieces of 2013.  Continue Reading

• When cloud-based UC makes sense

  A number of enterprises are moving beyond premises-based UC hardware, choosing cloud-based UC technology for reasons as varied as their business models.  Continue Reading

• Business video conferencing: Will users ever prefer visual calls?

  Enterprises weigh in on their use of business video conferencing, and whether or not it could one day become the preferred method for communications.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft Lync vs. Cisco UC: What the decision really comes down to

  Choosing between Microsoft Lync and Cisco UC requires a more strategic evaluation process beyond just comparing feature sets.  Continue Reading

• Five unified communications trends that change the collaboration game

  From WebRTC to consumer video in the enterprise, UC technology innovation is changing the future of collaboration ... again.  Continue Reading

• Thank you for completing our survey!

  Only available to those who have taken the time to thoughtfully complete the survey, the editors at SearchUnifiedCommunications.com have compiled an executive cheat sheet for all things related to the latest UC trends, including new vendors on the ...  Continue Reading

• What WebRTC applications will and won't do for enterprises

  What can the enterprise really expect from WebRTC applications? UC analysts and vendors discuss misconceptions around the pre-standardized protocol.  Continue Reading

• Unified communications data analytics can improve social collaboration

  In this Q&A, Esna CEO Mohammad Nezarati explains how unified communications data can improve social collaboration.  Continue Reading

• Business social collaboration: Where the industry stands

  Industry analyst Irwin Lazar discusses the trends around business social collaboration and what's being done in today's organizations, in this Q&A.  Continue Reading

• Google Hangouts vs. Skype: A comparative look

  Google's challenging Microsoft in the video conferencing market. This chart offers a feature-by-feature comparative look at Google Hangouts vs. Skype.  Continue Reading

• Mobile collaboration: Users need features, but not the whole tool set

  Sophisticated mobile collaboration features are needed as users rely more on mobile devices. UC feature sets differ across tablets and smartphones.  Continue Reading

• Collaboration apps: Companies need better tactics to combat slowness

  When it comes to collaboration apps, slowness is a big issue in the U.S. It's key to look into some previously unexplored tactics to combat this issue.  Continue Reading

• E911 services primer: Wireless and VoIP phones in emergency situations

  E911 provides services for wireless and VoIP callers during emergency situations, but determining a caller's location can be challenging.  Continue Reading

• On-premises vs. hosted cloud UC: Comparison chart

  This tech comparison offers an in-depth look at cloud UC to help you decide whether to stick with on-premises or opt for hosted cloud.  Continue Reading

• The future of unified communications & collaboration looks bright

  A recent Ovum survey looks at the future of unified communications & collaboration and sees good uptake in the technology. Why the renewed interest?  Continue Reading

• How to keep your UC&C deployment from failing

  Ovum research firm statistics point to challenges that could keep a unified communication and collaboration (UC&C) deployment from succeeding.  Continue Reading

• WebRTC primer: Using Web browsers for calls and video conferencing

  This primer explores what WebRTC is, how it's being used, its potential impact on the network and standards under development.  Continue Reading

• UC&C vendors must integrate collaborative tools for good communication

  For the most effective communication, companies with a UC&C strategy must implement collaborative tools that adapt to users -- not the reverse.  Continue Reading

• Explore the top 10 tips on UC solutions from 2012

  Before you look to the future of unified communications, take this opportunity to review our top 10 tips on UC solutions of 2012.  Continue Reading

• Best feature articles from 2012 on unified communications technology

  Read the best feature articles from 2012 on unified communications technology, trends and vendors.  Continue Reading

• How Microsoft Lync disrupts the unified communications market

  Microsoft Lync doesn't own the UC market yet, but it has enterprise mindshare and the features in place, including Skype, to be the disruptive force.  Continue Reading

• UC survey results: Cisco and Microsoft Lync duke it out

  TechTarget UC survey results show Microsoft Lync's increasing mindshare will shake up the status quo and compete against Cisco for the top vendor title.  Continue Reading

• Unified Communications as a Service primer: Moving UC to the cloud

  This UCaaS primer explores why you might consider Unified Communications as a Service, what kind of services are available, who's using it and how.  Continue Reading

• Better collaboration tools essential for virtual team productivity

  A new survey points to the need for integrated and easy-to-use collaboration tools to help a growing number of virtual teams increase productivity.  Continue Reading

• 'Securing Cisco IP Telephony Networks': Book chapter download

  Chapter 1 of the book 'Securing Cisco IP Telephony Networks' offers useful information on IP telephony solutions, including how to secure your network from security attacks.  Continue Reading

• Socialize: Comparing enterprise social software vendors

  Enterprise social software vendors Cisco, Microsoft and Socialtext promise to connect employees better. But which package is best for your business?  Continue Reading

• Skype vs. Google Voice: Feature-by-feature showdown

  Two companies are competing to rule the free-VoIP market. This chart offers a feature-by-feature comparative look at Skype vs. Google Voice.  Continue Reading

• Is video collaboration the obvious fix for conference-call blues?

  Conference-calls can be stressful and confusing with a large group of people on the line. Is video-conferencing the cure to this problem?  Continue Reading

• Secure video conferencing: Auto-answer can be risky

  Enterprises concerned about secure video conferencing need to assess the risk posed by the auto-answer feature, which could open the door for snooping by unwanted visitors.  Continue Reading

• TCO metrics key, but complex in IP telephony systems deployment

  Total cost of ownership (TCO) metrics for new IP telephony systems are often overlooked by enterprises, according to a new study, but other factors rank high in importance.  Continue Reading

• Top unified communications definitions for UC professionals in 2011

  After crunching numbers to see which unified communications definitions our readers searched for most in 2011, one thing's clear: As UC evolves, you like to return to the basics.  Continue Reading

• Cisco Unified Contact Center Enterprise: Inside the IP contact center

  This chapter from "Cisco Unified Contact Center Enterprise" details differences among Cisco's Unified Contact Center, Unified Intelligent Contact Manager and other portfolio items.  Continue Reading

• Managing mobile unified communications in a BYOD environment

  Find out the first steps you should take when managing mobile unified communications in a bring your own device (BYOD) environment.  Continue Reading

• Google, Google+ and Circles set the world a spin again

  Google+ takes on the epic challenge of digitally organizing our complex, real-life relationships with Circles.  Continue Reading

• Deploying video management software can aid video conferencing support

  Part five of our video conferencing Expert Lesson explores deploying dedicated video management software to help support high-quality video conferencing tools and content.  Continue Reading

• Do enterprises want to dump the desk phone for a softphone?

  Plenty of vendors tell UC managers that it's time to replace wired desk phones with softphone applications on laptops or UC apps on mobile devices. But is anyone really doing it?  Continue Reading

• Video over Wi-Fi: Planning and support considerations for UC managers

  As more UC users go mobile, video over Wi-Fi will present support issues. UC managers must work with network engineers on wireless LAN design, configuration and troubleshooting.  Continue Reading

• SIP video conferencing systems: A standardized approach to integration

  Vendors are moving toward SIP video conferencing for system integration. Our Expert Lesson details how SIP-based video conferencing solutions lay key UC architecture groundwork.  Continue Reading

• Mobile unified communications client overview: Connecting users

  Mobile unified communications can be a boon to user productivity, but supporting a mix of users and mobile devices can be a nightmare. Learn about apps to link devices to the IP telephony infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• Asterisk SCF: Enterprise-class open source VoIP and UC

  The new Asterisk SCF framework could transform the open source VoIP software into an enterprise-class unified communications platform with the scalability needed by enterprises and the agility required by the cloud. Digium is reengineering ...  Continue Reading

• Virtual call center

  Virtual call center solutions enable enterprises to put the best people on the phone without having to put them in the same building. With a myriad of both hosted and on-premise options available, finding the right virtual call center package for ...  Continue Reading

• A closer look at video conferencing solutions, technology and vendors

  Understanding the physical pieces of video conferencing solutions is key to implementation success. Take a closer look at the individual elements of your video conferencing system.  Continue Reading

• Making sense of unified communications cloud services

  Unified communications cloud services have the opportunity to fundamentally change how an enterprise delivers unified communications. With broad definitions and plenty of marketing spin, it is difficult to separate the real from the hyped. ...  Continue Reading

• Approaches to unified communications virtualization

  Virtualization is making inroads in the unified communications market, no matter the size of the enterprise customer. Whether as a large scale deployment in an enterprise data center or as a turnkey appliance, unified communications virtualization ...  Continue Reading

• Video resolution standards primer

  Understanding the video resolution standards for both standard definition and HD formats helps make informed video conferencing decisions.  Continue Reading

• Video conferencing adoption: Tracking trends and deployment strategies

  Video conferencing adoption is increasing as enterprises turn to higher-quality, lower-cost video technology to improve workforce collaboration and reduce reliance on travel.  Continue Reading

• Top 10 books: Best-selling IP telephony and UC titles

  This top 10 list of best-selling IP telephony and unified communications (UC) books includes such hot topics as SIP and SIP trunking, cloud computing, PBXs and IP telephony and is based on sales from VoiceCon 2010.  Continue Reading

• How to configure SIP trunks for the enterprise

  Configuring SIP trunks requires careful planning and pre-deployment network assessment and analysis. Learn how to configure SIP trunks properly, reliably and securely in this excerpt of a chapter from SIP Trunking.  Continue Reading

• Ramp up SIP trunk security to protect your IP telephony network

  Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) trunking can leave your network vulnerable to a variety of attacks. Learn how to implement SIP trunk security and protect your IP telephony network in this excerpt of a chapter from SIP Trunking.  Continue Reading

• Protect your UC services against eavesdropping and security attacks

  With the right access, anyone can observe or adjust your unified communications services. Learn how to ward off unauthorized modification and eavesdropping attacks in this chapter from Seven Deadliest Unified Communications Attacks.  Continue Reading

• Mobile IP networks: An overview

  With more people in the workforce moving mobile, thanks to road warriors and telecommuters, the demand for mobile IP is growing. In this chapter excerpt from "Wireless Networking Complete," you'll learn about mobile IP networks, from protocols to ...  Continue Reading

• Eye on the unified communications market: IBM

  This month we're profiling IBM -- taking a look at the company's business model and how it may fit into your unified communications strategy.  Continue Reading

• Deploying and managing video conferencing from the desktop to telepresence

  Before Interop 2009 in Las Vegas, we sat down with video conferencing track chair John Bartlett to find out how companies can get the most from a video conferencing solution in terms of ROI, TCO and QoS and to get a better idea of the differences ...  Continue Reading

• Top 10 unified communications (UC) tips for 2008

  With unified communications (UC) doing so well in 2008, we've done our best to keep up with our readers' interests and provide information on the most important UC topics. Check out our top 10 UC tips from the past year, from iPhones in the ...  Continue Reading

• Fixed mobile convergence technology fundamentals

  Fixed mobile convergence (FMC) systems based on VoIP service build on convergence technology fundamentals to enable fully converged IP communications. This chapter will review FMC systems technology and discuss real-life deployments.  Continue Reading

• Identifying issues in a multi-site Cisco UC deployment

  Deploying Cisco Unified Communications Manager between multiple sites requires an appropriate dial plan, appropriate bandwidth, a quality of service (QoS) implementation and a design that can survive IP WAN failures. This chapter will explain the ...  Continue Reading

• The role of VoWLAN solutions

  Learn about voice over wireless LAN (VoWLAN) deployment from specific case study applications. This chapter excerpt details specific instances of VoWLAN deployment success.  Continue Reading

• Determining VoWLAN solution ROI

  Learn about deploying a VoWLAN system and how to determine implementation ROI. This chapter details the considerations you should take into account when planning a VoWLAN deployment.  Continue Reading

• Cisco Voice over IP: Routing calls over analog voice ports

  This chapter introduces basic configuration of analog and digital voice ports and demonstrates how to fine-tune voice ports with port-specific configurations. Upon completing this chapter, you will be able to configure voice interfaces on Cisco ...  Continue Reading

• SIP network security measures

  Learn about specific security measures that can protect your oganization in the event of a SIP-based network attack. This chapter details the different types of SIP attacks and discusses various security measures and solutions to protect your ...  Continue Reading

• Security in a SIP network: Identifying network attacks

  Learn about security in a SIP network and find out how an organization can protect itself from SIP-based VoIP and network attacks. This chapter details the different types of SIP attacks and discusses various security measures and solutions to ...  Continue Reading