VoIP is becoming increasingly popular with large businesses. Communication via an IP address and VoIP in general can be more than just a way to transport data it's also a tool that simplifies and streamlines a wide range of business applications. There are of course VoIP phone calls which have the potential to decrease business calling expenses. However, VoIP happens to be the foundation for many other communication avenues encompassing more advanced unified communication applications, including web and video conferencing.

Cisco is touting a new suite of products, including a unified communications manager version 7.0. Their IP telephony call-processing component designed to enhance business productivity and facilitate mobility by creating a unified workspace encompasses multiple combinations of applications, devices, networks, and operating systems for up to 30,000 users. The commercial system is scalable, distributable, and highly available delivering voice, video, mobility, and presence services to IP phones, media processing devices, VoIP gateways, mobile devices, and multimedia applications.

For example, Cisco Unified Mobility links a user's cell phone number with the user's business IP phone number. It then directs incoming calls to ring on a user's cell phone as well as the business phone, providing a single number for callers to reach the user. Calls that go unanswered on all the designated devices are redirected to the user's unity messaging system.

The Unified Communications Manager Version 7.0 features:

• Real time message access
• Eases creation of dial plans using local route groups and transformation patterns
• Supports increased security on call admission control and quality of service
• Enhances Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) support of additional features and supports SIP

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Cisco may be answering the needs of large enterprise business which could also pave the way for more advancement with the demands residential and small business users. Stay tuned to find out about the latest developments in unified communications.