Unified Messaging

Unified messaging is the combination of messaging services such as email, fax, voicemail, etc. together into one interface. With a unified messaging service you can access all of these messaging services together from a single device which could be a computer or even a cellphone.

The most common type of unified messaging system, or UMS, would be an email box that you keep both emails and voicemails. There are a number of online telephony services that offer to send voicemails via email. For business users unified messaging makes it easy to connect with clients and co-workers either from the computer on their desk or their cellphone while they are on the road.

Exchange Unified Messaging

As Exchange 2010 gets ready to roll-out there is a lot of buzz about its new unified messaging system. With exchange unified messaging you can create custom routing when anyone arrives at your voicemail along with a text-preview of your voicemail over email. While this feature did exist in Microsoft Outlook 2007 Exchange unified messaging is definitely getting a nice improvement which benefits business users all over the world.

With so many companies using Microsoft Exchange you can expect to see more updates and improvements to the Exchange unified messaging system over time. With so many great options for unified messaging systems right now you can spend some time picking the unified messaging service that is right for you. The idea behind unified messaging is to save you time and make it as easy as possible for you to get your messages - whatever form they may be in.