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Bring yourself up to speed with our introductory content.
unified communications (UC)
Unified communications (UC) is an umbrella term for the integration of multiple enterprise communication tools -- such as voice calling, video conferencing, instant messaging (IM), presence, content sharing, etc. -- into a single, streamlined ... Continue Reading
What is the difference between Zoom and Zoom Rooms?
For some users, Zoom Meetings is all they will need; others may opt for Zoom Rooms. Learn about the features each service provides and the supported use cases. Continue Reading
What are use cases for asynchronous video communication?
When it's time to share information with colleagues, a full-blown video conference isn't always necessary. Maybe an app like TikTok could help. Continue Reading
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Top 16 unified communications blogs to follow in 2021
Follow these top unified communications blogs for the latest trends in the UC and collaboration markets. These blogs provide insight into analyst research, product news and market trends. Continue Reading
Internet Protocol (IP)
The Internet Protocol (IP) is the method or protocol by which data is sent from one computer to another on the internet. Continue Reading
VoIP phone
A VoIP phone is a hardware- or software-based telephone designed to use voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to send and receive phone calls over an IP network.Continue Reading
IP telephony (Internet Protocol telephony)
IP telephony (Internet Protocol telephony) is a general term for technologies, products and services that use the Internet Protocol's packet-switched connections to support voice calling, voicemail, video calling, video conferencing, faxing and ...Continue Reading
What is voicemail and how does it work?
Voicemail capabilities have evolved since the early days of answering machines. Learn what voicemail is and how features have advanced as the technology became digital.Continue Reading
What is the difference between RCS and SMS?
SMS is being supplanted by RCS to let carriers compete against WhatsApp and Messenger and open new avenues to business messaging. Learn the difference between RCS and SMS.Continue Reading
What are the challenges of using multiple team collaboration apps?
Companies are already using a variety of collaboration platforms, but managing them is hard. What should companies know when juggling multiple team collaboration apps?Continue Reading
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Microsoft Teams vs. Slack: Which is better for your business?
Organizations deploy collaboration apps as they wrestle with keeping remote employees engaged and informed. Learn how to weigh Microsoft Teams vs. Slack to determine which app is best for you.Continue Reading
Microsoft Teams
What is Microsoft Teams? Microsoft Teams is cloud-based team collaboration software that is part of the Microsoft 365 and Office 365 suite of applications.Continue Reading
What does 'bring your own carrier' mean for UCaaS platforms?
Migrating to UCaaS doesn't always mean an organization can keep its PSTN or SIP carrier. But some providers are taking a 'bring you own carrier' approach to offer more flexibility.Continue Reading
quality of service (QoS)
Quality of service (QoS) refers to any technology that manages data traffic to reduce packet loss, latency and jitter on the network.Continue Reading
Time to move to UCaaS? UC's future indeed looks 'cloudy'
Is it time for UCaaS for your organization? Probably. Even if the forces that propelled the work-from-home surge do recede, the future of UC is in the cloud.Continue Reading
Test your knowledge of 2020's UC and collaboration news
Wrap up 2020 with a look back at the top UC and collaboration news of the year. From Zoom lawsuits to Slack's acquisition, test your knowledge of the news that redefined the market.Continue Reading
jitter
Jitter is any deviation in, or displacement of, the signal pulses in a high-frequency digital signal.Continue Reading
Cisco Webex
Cisco Webex is a video conferencing and collaboration product suite.Continue Reading
video conferencing
Video conferencing is live, visual connection between two or more remote parties over the internet that simulates a face-to-face meeting.Continue Reading
VoIP (voice over IP)
VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) is the transmission of voice and multimedia content over an internet connection.Continue Reading
What's the difference between UC-certified and MS-certified?
Both UC-certified and MS-certified products are available to enterprises. But one designation carries more weight than the other, our expert writes.Continue Reading
What's the difference between social media and social networking?
Social media and social networking appear to be interchangeable terms, but they serve different use cases. Learn the difference between social media and social networking.Continue Reading
What are use cases for business live event streaming services?
Business live event streaming services can transform webinars and virtual events to be more interactive and create engaging experiences for customers.Continue Reading
Avaya
Avaya is an American technology company that specializes in business communications services, such as unified communications (UC), and contact center (CC).Continue Reading
communications platform as a service (CPaaS)
Communications platform as a service (CPaaS) is a cloud-based delivery model that allows organizations to add real-time communication capabilities, such as voice, video and messaging, to business applications by deploying application program ...Continue Reading
What does it mean if a device is UC-certified?
IT leaders determining which UC devices and endpoints to support organizationwide should look for a UC-certified label, which is an indicator of platform compatibility.Continue Reading
Achieving a professional home video conferencing setup
As remote work becomes more common, connecting with your teams gets tougher. An effective home video conferencing setup can help bridge the communications gap.Continue Reading
Speech recognition vs. voice recognition: What's the difference?
It's easy to be confused about the differences between speech recognition vs. voice recognition. Each has a specific role to play in unified communications.Continue Reading
real-time communications (RTC)
Real-time communications (RTC) is any mode of telecommunications in which all users can exchange information instantly or with negligible latency. In this context, the term 'real-time' is synonymous with 'live.'Continue Reading
telephony
Telephony is technology associated with interactive communication between two or more physically distant parties via the electronic transmission of speech or other data.Continue Reading
Learn the top 8 most useful Microsoft Teams tips and tricks
Enhance employee collaboration and workflow with these eight Microsoft Teams tips and tricks, including productivity-boosting app integrations and guest access for external users.Continue Reading
5 tips to get started with Zoom meetings for beginners
While online conferencing services can't fully replicate a face-to-face meeting, these Zoom tips can help employees make the most of their remote meetings.Continue Reading
The future of video conferencing? The picture is promising
The latest video conferencing products offer AI-enabled analytics, auto-transcription and much more and promise to make work meetings more productive than ever.Continue Reading
private branch exchange (PBX)
A private branch exchange (PBX) is a telephone system within an enterprise that switches calls between users on local lines, while enabling all users to share a certain number of external phone lines.Continue Reading
How do collaboration integration and interoperability differ?
Interoperability between collaboration platforms is scarce, but integrations are abundant. Learn why multivendor collaboration integration has more support than interoperability.Continue Reading
Build a collaboration hub to transform team workflows
Team collaboration applications are coming together like never before. Learn how hubs are working now and why your team should get on board with this trend.Continue Reading
Top expert advice addresses unified communications strategy
The ways to approach unified communications strategies are always evolving. Check out the advice our industry experts gave to answer the top UC strategy questions of 2019.Continue Reading
Top expert tips highlight 2019 unified communications trends
The UC industry is changing rapidly, and buyers need advice to make educated buying decisions. Our top expert tips of 2019 helped organizations navigate market trends.Continue Reading
How should organizations approach API-based SIP services?
Organizations need SIP services to connect and disconnect call sessions. Now some SIP services are offered through APIs, which expand the use cases and capabilities.Continue Reading
Why organizations need SIP services now
Whether you realize it or not, your company needs Session Initiation Protocol. As legacy telephony networks wind down and cloud-based voice services continue to grow, SIP services are necessary to ...Continue Reading
What are the benefits of UC in a cloud-based office suite?
Adopting the UC tools within a cloud-based office suite may be the most beneficial option if users are already comfortable with the suite's features.Continue Reading
Understanding key video conferencing components
Video conferencing is an essential tool for working with a team. Use this glossary to determine which components of video conferencing are best for your business.Continue Reading
Are you ready for a hybrid UC migration?
Hybrid UC is an option for organizations that aren't ready or able to move all of their UC to the cloud. Take this quiz to test your knowledge of a hybrid UC migration.Continue Reading
How unified communications is getting down to business
This guide will get you up to date on what's happening in the world of UC, including how UC employs AI now, and what's new with UC tools for business messaging and contact centers.Continue Reading
Understanding the anatomy of a UCaaS architecture
Organizations looking for cloud UC are migrating to UCaaS. Learn what features make up a UCaaS platform and what extra capabilities vendors may offer.Continue Reading
How do you craft an immersive video meeting experience?
Increasing focus for remote meetings is achieved through crafting an immersive meeting experience. Proper placement of technology such as audio and monitors can enhance immersion.Continue Reading
Understanding the components of team collaboration tools
Refresh your knowledge of which team collaboration components are essential to team workflows and what IT leaders should keep top of mind to prevent potential problems.Continue Reading
VoIP migration requires telephony network planning, security scrutiny
A PBX to VoIP migration requires careful planning to ensure call quality. Learn how to ready the network, evaluate architecture options and set the right security policies.Continue Reading
Breaking down the parts of a CPaaS platform
Cloud-delivered communications are the backbone of many organizations. Review the key terms around CPaaS platform features and development tools with this glossary.Continue Reading
5 best practices for cloud calling success
Organizations looking to augment their communications features while also cutting costs and improving scalability are turning to the cloud for their calling services. But migrating to cloud calling ...Continue Reading
How well do you understand UC cloud SLAs?
Getting the right unified communications cloud SLA can be difficult for organizations. This quiz covers the essentials of SLAs, from the basic components to IT's role.Continue Reading
How can IT approach a cloud-based unified communications migration?
Migrating to cloud-based unified communications can offer organizations greater agility, but benefits need to be weighed against the loss of IT control.Continue Reading
Brush up on your knowledge of speech technology terms
Vocal commands are one way speech technology is making its way into business applications and services. This mini glossary will refresh your knowledge of speech technology and some of its use cases.Continue Reading
UC adoption programs support users and business goals
Transforming a business with unified communications takes more than deploying new apps and services. End users must adopt the services and incorporate them into their daily workflows. For many ...Continue Reading
Are you ready to adopt cloud video conferencing?
Video is an important tool for enterprises looking to support dispersed employees. Take this quiz to see how much you know about cloud video conferencing.Continue Reading
gatekeeper
A gatekeeper is a management tool for H.323 multimedia networks.Continue Reading
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is a signaling protocol used for initiating, maintaining, modifying and terminating real-time sessions that involve video, voice, messaging and other communications applications and services between two or more ...Continue Reading
What role does UC mobility play in digital transformation?
Organizations that value employee engagement, innovation and customer experience are more likely to focus on mobile UC as part of their digital transformation road map.Continue Reading
Collaboration tools are must-haves, but not one-size-fits-all
Choosing the best tool for collaboration in your enterprise takes much more than simply assessing vendors in the market and comparing their products' capabilities.Continue Reading
A collaboration program is essential for effective teamwork
Learn what steps must be taken in order to create effective enterprise team collaboration in an era when IT no longer controls what applications and platforms workers choose to use.Continue Reading
Understand UC quality issues and which QoS tools can solve them
Improving UC quality means knowing what causes problems and which QoS tools are available. This mini-glossary will help you navigate the terms related to QoS.Continue Reading
Go back to the basics with a glossary of VoIP terms
This mini glossary defines essential vocabulary associated with VoIP. Read through these VoIP terms to refresh your knowledge of IP-based telephony.Continue Reading
leased line
A leased line is a bidirectional telephone line that has been rented for private voice, data exchange or telecommunication use.Continue Reading
How SD-WAN can unlock UCaaS benefits
Reaping UCaaS benefits means taking a hard look at your network configuration. Learn how SD-WAN can help optimize performance and reliability for UCaaS applications.Continue Reading
What should users expect from speech technology applications?
Workers can start to expect more from speech technology applications than just voice-activated search. As capabilities evolve, new business use cases will emerge.Continue Reading
How does cloud SIP trunking differ from traditional SIP trunking?
Traditional and cloud SIP trunking perform the same tasks of initiating and ending call sessions, but the method and costs of access create distinct differences in these services.Continue Reading
Reap UCaaS benefits by preparing network, staff and users
Organizations migrating to cloud-based unified communications must examine IT and end-user needs. Finding the right balance can help companies realize UCaaS benefits.Continue Reading
How do you prepare for porting business phone numbers?
Porting business phone numbers to your UCaaS provider may be more complicated than you realize. Learn three ways you can prepare your organization for porting.Continue Reading
8 best practices for adopting cloud video conferencing services
Ready to migrate to cloud video conferencing? Keep these eight best practices in mind to pick a service that employees will use so you can achieve adoption success.Continue Reading
Make VoIP the starting point for hybrid communications
Moving to VoIP is the first step toward creating a hybrid unified communications architecture. Learn how to test and maintain voice quality for a successful migration.Continue Reading
unified communications and collaboration (UCC)
Unified communications and collaboration (UCC) is the collection of technology and software that combines enterprise communication with real time, asynchronous cooperation capabilities.Continue Reading
How to deploy team collaboration platforms successfully
How an organization deploys team collaboration tools depends on its overall UC strategy and end-user needs. Discover the deployment options available and how to ensure adoption.Continue Reading
How does embedded communication work with an IP PBX infrastructure?
Adding communications capabilities to your web browsers or mobile apps? Be sure to use the right protocols for successful interoperability with your IP PBX or telephony infrastructure.Continue Reading
Improve the contact center experience with 3 key integrations
Organizations that want to offer a modern contact center experience can turn to AI, messaging apps and UC to improve agent productivity and customer service.Continue Reading
Understanding MOS for voice quality
Looking to improve the quality of voice calls? Learn which mean-opinion-score models measure and rate the user experience and the factors that influence voice quality.Continue Reading
What are speech technology applications beyond contact centers?
Speech technology applications aren't confined to contact centers. Our expert explains the use cases for the technology, including personal digital assistants and knowledge management.Continue Reading
Test your knowledge of VoIP fundamentals
Do you want to test your knowledge of VoIP fundamentals and how VoIP works? Take this VoIP quiz and see what areas of voice technology elude you.Continue Reading
Building a unified communications and collaboration strategy
Unified communications and collaboration, or UCC, can be a boon for enterprises. Learn how to unlock the benefits of UCC and why you should consider the cloud and mobility in your UCC strategy.Continue Reading
7 steps to select the right product for deploying SD-WAN for VoIP
Ready to deploy SD-WAN for VoIP? Networking expert Terry Slattery offers seven tips for selecting the right product to support real-time voice needs.Continue Reading
How chatbot AI in contact centers can improve self-service
Deploying AI in contact centers can address IVR pain points and improve customer self-service with chatbots that create a conversational and streamlined customer experience.Continue Reading
4 ways to prep the network when planning to implement VoIP
Before deploying VoIP platforms, make sure you have the infrastructure to support your communications needs. Learn what factors influence the network technology you'll need to support VoIP.Continue Reading
Should you use CPaaS vendors or develop communications in-house?
While some organizations prefer to develop communications capabilities in-house, deploying vendors' communications APIs offers benefits. Two factors can influence the best approach.Continue Reading
Best practices for large video conferencing room design
Large-room video conferencing systems are seeing renewed growth, as corporate mandates and employee demand drive enterprise deployments. Following best practices ensures the right design for large room video.Continue Reading
4 ways AI services can improve video meeting room technology
AI is making its way into meeting rooms to improve productivity and enhance collaboration. AI services are addressing employee collaboration needs in four ways.Continue Reading
What is the difference between UC platforms and UC apps?
Platform and app are not interchangeable terms in a unified communications deployment. UC expert Jon Arnold explains how to differentiate between UC platforms and UC apps.Continue Reading
Five steps for a successful video conferencing strategy
When deploying video conferencing successfully, you simply can't install a video client and give users a webcam. Organizations with a robust video conferencing strategy see more deployment success ...Continue Reading
Design huddle rooms to mirror team collaboration workflows
Different teams conduct different types of meetings. As a result, small conference rooms should be customized to accommodate specific collaboration workflows.Continue Reading
SIP trunking (Session Initiation Protocol trunking)
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) trunking is a service offered by a communications service provider that uses the protocol to provision voice over IP (VoIP) connectivity between an on-premises phone system and the public switched telephone network ...Continue Reading
Use cases for IoT and UC integration starting to emerge
The convergence of IoT and UC technologies seems to be emerging. IoT tools, for example, could track the use of meeting rooms and interact with collaboration apps.Continue Reading
Integrated communications extends UC capabilities
Organizations that want to drive greater value from their unified communications deployment should look to integrate communications into other parts of their business. Integrated communications ...Continue Reading
What are the steps to ensure SIP implementation success?
A robust strategy and several steps are needed to deploy SIP successfully. Networking expert Carrie Higbie Goetz explains the pieces that comprise a SIP strategy, from creating an RFI to documentation.Continue Reading
CPaaS vs. UCaaS platform: Which should you choose?
While the CPaaS vs. UCaaS debate might focus on overlapping features, the two technologies can be complementary, according to industry analyst Michael Brandenburg.Continue Reading
Conference rooms of the future target meeting efficiency
When overhauling your meeting room technology, don't forget the basics, such as high-speed network connectivity and power accessibility for all end users.Continue Reading
The evolution of unified communications technologies
Over the years, unified communications tools have evolved to incorporate different modes of collaboration. Enterprises need to be receptive to this ongoing innovation.Continue Reading
How to configure VoIP on a network
VoIP configuration requires significant preplanning to meet the requirements of voice traffic. Learn the steps to take when configuring VoIP on your network.Continue Reading
Video conference hardware simplified, affordable for huddle rooms
Video conferencing vendors have aimed to simplify deployments with cost-effective kits that include cameras and audio peripherals for small meeting rooms.Continue Reading
Should your unified communications strategy include UCaaS?
Unified communications-as-a-service offerings are getting better, but it's a complex market that requires understanding your company's true needs.Continue Reading
How do you evaluate SIP services?
Learn how to prepare your organization for a SIP deployment through a clearly defined evaluation of your organization's network requirements and business goals.Continue Reading
instant messaging (IM)
Instant messaging, often shortened to IM or IM'ing, is the exchange of near real-time messages through a stand-alone application or embedded software.Continue Reading
Huddle room video conference costs don't need to break the bank
As office layouts change, huddle rooms and small collaboration spaces are becoming popular. The video tools in these spaces can provide cost-effective communications.Continue Reading