Top 10 Unified Communications software

March 27, 2024 | Editor: Adam Levine


Unified Communication software integrates various communication channels, such as voice, video, messaging, etc., within the enterprise.
1
Microsoft Teams is the chat-based workspace in Office 365 that integrates all the people, content, and tools your team needs to be more engaged and effective.
2
Zoom unifies cloud video conferencing, simple online meetings, and cross platform group chat into one easy-to-use platform. Our solution offers the best video, audio, and screen-sharing experience across Zoom Rooms, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and H.323/SIP room systems.
3
With Avaya platform that delivers rock-solid reliability and remarkable adaptability, you can support new collaboration capabilities, applications, and customer services immediately. Choose from more than 700 features and an ever expanding, customizable applications portfolio. Plus, count on unrivaled scalability and flexibility to support everything from click-to-dial video conferencing to sophisticated contact center systems, in locations from small branches to corporate headquarters.
4
With Cisco Unified Communications, your company can connect co-workers, partners, vendors, and customers with the information and expertise they need, access and share video on the desktop, on the road, and on-demand, as easily as making a phone call, facilitate better team interactions, dynamically bringing together individuals, virtual workgroups, and teams, make mobile devices extensions of the corporate network so mobile workers can be productive anywhere
5
A Complete Unified Communications Suite. Everything you need to break down boundaries and bring together your teams and customers.
6
Amazon Chime is a secure, real-time, unified communications service that transforms meetings by making them more efficient and easier to conduct. The service delivers high-quality audio and video through an application that is easy to use and stays in sync across all of your devices. With Amazon Chime, meetings start on time, and a visual roster makes them easy to manage.
7
Grandstream delivers a complete unified communications portfolio that empowers any business to create a powerful and easy-to-manage deployment solution. From IP voice & video, data, surveillance, conferencing and more, we provide the tools any organization needs to be successful.
8
Oracle Unified Communications is built to support carrier-grade reliability and availability, the portfolio enables enterprises to collaborate at a lower total cost than competing solutions and allows service providers to own the communication experience.
9
HCL Sametime (formerly IBM Lotus Sametime) is a client–server application and middleware platform that provides real-time, unified communications and collaboration for enterprises. Those capabilities include presence information, enterprise instant messaging, web conferencing, community collaboration, and telephony capabilities and integration.
10
Unify empowers today's anywhere workers with the tools to communicate and collaborate more productively. By synchronizing technologies, creating an engaging user experience and weaving communications seamlessly into the way businesses operate, we empower an increasingly mobile workforce to work better together.
11
Simplify the way you communicate - voice, video, messaging, collaboration, conferencing, meetings and call center - with one reliable and easy-to-use solution.

Latest news about Unified Communications software


2021. 8x8 acquires UC-provider Fuze



8x8, a prominent provider of integrated cloud communications platforms, has announced its acquisition of Fuze, a fellow player in enterprise cloud-based communications, for an estimated amount of $250 million. This strategic acquisition is expected to drive innovation within 8x8's XCaaS (eXperience Communications as a Service) offerings and expand its enterprise customer base while strengthening its global presence. Both 8x8 and Fuze have earned significant recognition in the marketplace, with 8x8 recently being named a Leader and Fuze recognized as a Visionary in the 2021 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Unified Communications as a Service, Worldwide.


2019. Avaya partners with RingCentral to provide cloud offering


After extensive deliberation regarding sale and merger possibilities, Avaya has recently announced a significant strategic partnership with a $500 million contribution from RingCentral. Avaya, having emerged from a bankruptcy filing in 2017, now faces increasing competition from industry giants such as Microsoft Corp and Amazon Web Services. These competitors provide comparable communication services through software deployed within cloud data centers—an area where Avaya has encountered challenges, unlike RingCentral, which is a key player in the field. As part of the agreement, Avaya will leverage RingCentral's expertise in cloud technology to offer a new comprehensive solution. Both companies will contribute funds towards the sales and marketing efforts of this cloud-based product.




2018. Google Voice version for enterprise came to G Suite



Google is introducing an enterprise version of its Google Voice service exclusively for G Suite users. While Google Voice has traditionally been popular among everyday consumers, offering numerous advantages beyond a regular phone number, the enterprise version aims to provide companies with similar functionalities. This includes AI-powered features such as voicemail transcription, which employees may already be utilizing in a manner that bypasses company guidelines. Administrators have the capability to provision and transfer phone numbers, access comprehensive reports, and configure call routing options. They can also assign phone numbers to departments or employees, granting them a universal number that isn't tied to a specific device. This simplifies communication by ensuring easy accessibility when needed. Additionally, the enterprise version includes a spam filtering feature, which proves beneficial in handling the influx of unwanted automated calls for various purposes.


2016. Skype for Business is available on Mac



Microsoft has revealed the introduction of the Mac Preview version of Skype for Business, a communication service tailored for businesses and targeted towards a commercial client base. Interested individuals and I.T. administrators have the opportunity to sign up and participate in testing the new desktop software. This preview version incorporates various enhancements, including Outlook integration, heightened security measures, and expanded call capacity accommodating up to 250 participants, in contrast to Skype's maximum of 25. Initially, Microsoft will prioritize sending invites to I.T. administrators before gradually extending availability to a wider audience.


2015. Atos acquires unified communications system Unify from Siemens



Atos Origin, a France-based company, has announced its acquisition of Unify for a sum of $371M, signifying its entry into the enterprise unified communications market. Notably, Siemens AG, the previous owner of Unify, now holds a 12% stake in Atos. This acquisition is expected to yield mutual benefits for both companies. As a prominent services firm, Atos gains access to one of the leading products in the emerging WCC (Workplace Collaboration and Communication) domain. The product's "as a service" delivery model makes it appealing not only to IT buyers but also to various lines of business, allowing Atos to cater to a broader audience and extend its market reach.


2015. Microsoft begins rolling out Skype For Business (to replace Lync)



Microsoft's Skype for Business, developed to replace the older enterprise communication tool Lync, is now available for public use. Additionally, the company is in the process of rolling out Skype for Business Online to its Office 365 customers who currently utilize Lync Online. With Skype for Business, enterprise customers gain access to software that closely resembles Skype's user-friendly client application in terms of appearance and user experience. However, it also offers enterprise-grade security and compliance features, allowing IT organizations to efficiently administer and control the software's usage within their organization. Skype for Business ensures authentication of conversations through Active Directory and implements encryption for enhanced security. Furthermore, IT departments have the capability to manage user accounts and deployments. The system is also designed to interoperate with PBX systems or legacy video teleconferencing systems utilized by companies, if necessary.


2014. Microsoft enabled video calling between Skype and Lync users



Last year, Microsoft introduced the ability for Skype and Lync to interoperate with text messaging and audio. Today, the integration extends to video calling as well. Microsoft has announced that Skype users can now initiate video calls with their Lync contacts, and vice versa. To utilize this cross-platform video calling feature, there is no need to change your usual calling routine – simply start the call as you would normally. However, it's important to note that video calling is currently supported only on an up-to-date Lync 2013 client on Android, iOS, or Windows, as well as on Skype for Windows desktop. Skype is actively working on expanding this integration to additional platforms, starting with iOS and Android. This development follows a series of deeper integrations between the two products, with Lync being rebranded as "Skype for Business" sometime in 2015.


2014. Microsoft will rename Lync as Skype for Business



In 2015, Microsoft is set to rebrand its enterprise communications solution, Lync, as Skype for Business. This rebranding effort aims to align Lync's interface with the familiar look of the current Skype interface. However, Skype for Business will not completely absorb Lync; instead, it will remain a distinct application. I recently witnessed a demonstration of an early version of the Skype for Business client, and it closely resembled the appearance of the current Skype interface. One notable feature of Skype for Business is its ability to make calls to regular Skype users directly from the application. This rebranding aligns with Microsoft's broader strategy of "re-inventing productivity" for both individual consumers and businesses. The goal is to provide a unified experience across their services, ensuring that consumers and businesses have similar user experiences.

Editor: Adam Levine
Adam is an expert in project management, collaboration and productivity technologies, team management, and motivation. With an extensive background working at prestigious companies such as Microsoft and Accenture, Adam's in-depth knowledge and experience in the field make him a sought-after professional. Currently, he has ventured into entrepreneurship, owning a thriving consulting and training agency where he imparts invaluable insights and practical strategies to individuals and organizations, empowering them to achieve their goals and maximize their potential. You can contact Adam via email adam@liventerprise.com