Nortel and Microsoft Unified Communications

“The faster and easier it is to get information, the more we still need to contact people!” (Rosenburg, 2006)

The collaborative solution to take the complexity out of communications by breaking down the barriers of voice, email, conferencing, video and instant messaging has been achieved by the combined efforts of Nortel Networks and Microsoft, Inc. Nortel Networks product solutions are optical, wireless and voice technologies which are at the foundation of the world's economy, powering global commerce, and delivering innovative network capabilities to connect rural areas. Microsoft Inc. is a multinational computer technology corporation that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of software products for different computing devices. The two companies, experts in their fields, combined to bring forth a communication solution that is not a single product, but is a set of products working together.

The combined product that was produced by the two companies is called Unified Communications. Unified Communications harnesses the power of Microsoft software and mixes it with the telephony and network PBX capabilities of Nortel to make it easier for people to communicate with others. Telephony is the capability that “allows people to place, receive, forward, or delegate calls from their PC, desk phone, or mobile phone” (Nortel, nd). With a USB plug-in headset, a person can be involved with conference calls from anywhere they may be located. The capabilities of Microsoft Unified Communications eliminate the separation between phones and computers, and some of the Unified Communications capabilities are:

1. The telephony feature that “allows people to place, receive, forward, or delegate calls from their PC, desk phone, or mobile phone” (Nortel, nd).
2. The product is able to collaborate remotely with colleagues and customers with audio, video, and Web conferencing easily.
3. The product is able to consolidate voice mail systems and e-mail into one inbox. This allows anyone to manage their voicemail as easily as their email.
4. The instant messaging feature allows people to communicate with others immediately depending on their availability. The conversation history for conferences or questions can be stored for further use.
5. The feature of a traditional messaging system that protects communication and is easier to administer. This allows people to have business mobility.

The Unified Communications product works within a Windows-based structure. The need to communicate with people to conduct a profitable business is being made easier and faster for all. According to Microsoft (2009), “The system doesn’t just make people productive, it makes them more efficient.” Consumers are able to communicate to the right person or people in an effective manner. Costs on travel for face to face meetings with customers are greatly reduced, and, problems can be solved quickly. The Unified Communications product is an effective means of collaborative communication and a good stepping stone for the companies not ready for “Live Meeting”.

References:

Microsoft Unified Communications. (2009). Microsoft, Inc. Retrieved October 6, 2009, from http://www.microsoft.com/everybodysbusiness/en/us/products/unified-communiations.aspx
Rosenberg, A. (2006). How Unified Communications Will Affect Enterprise IT. Business

Communications Review, June 2006, 38-42. Retrieved October 6, 2009, from http://web.ebscohost.com.dml.regis.edu/ehost

Unified Communications. (nd). Nortel Networks. Retrieved October 6, 2009, from http://www2nortel.com/cgi-bin/printer.cgi?language=en