What’s Next for VoIP?

Over the last few years, IP Telephony has been synonymously used for VoIP; recently, a new term surfaced, dubbed “Unified Communications” or simply “UC,” and over the last few years, UC has emerged as the primary driver for companies to move to VoIP.

UC means different things to different people. To an IT manager, it may mean having the phone system do something new. To an office worker, it may mean a cool new phone, the ability to check her voicemails right from her e-mail, or the ability to collaborate with coworkers using the corporate Instant Messaging system that allows them to control their phone and conferencing abilities. To a travelling worker, it may mean the ability to carry one smart device that acts as both an outside public cell phone and an in-house extension when he is in the office. To an executive, it becomes important to see presence of coworkers and direct reports, while having the ability to host a video conference right from his office. The common concept behind UC is that we as users now have control in choosing how, when, and where we are reached and by whatever means or applications we choose.