What unified messaging software do you use?

We recently purchased a Cisco phone system and though we have the ability to use their unified messaging software, we’re not sure we want to (not a big fan of the UI). What unified messaging software do you use? Is it easiest to use the software that comes with your phone system, or are there other vendors out there that can integrate with a Cisco system? What would you suggest?

Topics

Information Technology

Phone System

Phone Systems

Software

Unified Messaging

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Mike Sumner

asked on April 28, 2010

Brennon Huffman

Posted on April 28, 2010

Mike,

There are several options out there when looking for Unified Messaging capability. Unified Messaging and Unified Communications are often confused. Unified Messaging combines voice, fax, and email messages into one mailbox. This can be accomplished with Exchange 2010 relatively easily (especially if you have Enterprise Cals, which means it might have little cost). You can also enable Microsoft OCS for Unified Communications functionality (again at little cost if you have Enterprise Cals) or you could look at other Unified Messaging applications. Objectworld, now part of Adtran, has a UM solution that is vendor agnostic, cost effective, and delivers IVR functionality.

Avaya's Modular Messaging also provides a very clean UM interface and scales very well. Depending on the specific release and architecture, you may be able to SIP integrate their messaging platform, as well.

Integration to Cisco is never easy, because they use a lot of proprietary technology in their Call Manager solutions, but a skilled integrator that has done these integrations in the past shouldn't have any problems discussing the advantages of each solution.

If you're looking for help with any of these solutions or vendors, we'd be happy to assist! :)