Unified Communications is the integration of communication services such as instant messaging, telephony, video conferencing, call control and unified messaging (integrated voicemail, e-mail, SMS and fax).

With Unified Communications you can send a message on one medium and receive the answer on another. For example, you receive a voicemail message and respond by e-mail or a cell phone. The results of your call are important so the entire call contents are sent to other group members voicemail boxes… and they receive a text message that there is an important voicemail waiting for them. Other members join the conversation through text messaging, voice or video. If the sender is online according to the presence information and currently accepts calls, the response can be sent immediately through text chat or video call. Otherwise, it may be sent as a non real-time message that can be accessed through a variety of media.