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• RCS vs. SMS: What's the difference?

  Compared to Short Message Service, Rich Communication Services is a newer form of messaging with advanced features and a better business messaging experience. Continue Reading

• What is a virtual contact center?

  A virtual contact center (VCC) is a type of call center in which an organization's representatives are geographically dispersed, rather than situated at workstations in one location. Continue Reading

• What is podcasting?

  Podcasting is the preparation and distribution of digital audio files to the computers of subscribed users using Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds. Continue Reading

• What is Real-Time Transport Control Protocol (RTCP)?

  Real-Time Transport Control Protocol (RTCP) is a network communication protocol that works alongside Real-Time Protocol (RTP) to monitor and track data delivery on large multicast networks via RTP's associated transmission metrics. Continue Reading

• What is telephony?

  Telephony is technology associated with interactive communication between two or more physically distant parties using the electronic transmission of data. Continue Reading

• Definitions to Get Started

  • What is a virtual contact center?
  • What is podcasting?
  • What is Real-Time Transport Control Protocol (RTCP)?
  • What is telephony?

  • What is SIP trunking (Session Initiation Protocol trunking)?
  • What is an inbound call?
  • unified communications (UC)
  • What is VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol)?

  View All Definitions

• What is SIP trunking (Session Initiation Protocol trunking)?

  Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) trunking is a service a communications service provider offers that uses the protocol to provision voice over IP (VoIP) and multimedia connectivity between an on-premises phone system and the public switched ...Continue Reading

• What is an inbound call?

  An inbound call is typically initiated by a customer to a call center or contact center.Continue Reading

• unified communications (UC)

  Unified communications (UC) is an umbrella term for the integration of multiple enterprise communication tools -- such as voice calling, video conferencing, instant messaging (IM), presence and content sharing -- into a single, streamlined interface...Continue Reading

• 5 tips for inclusive hybrid meetings

  For successful hybrid meeting collaboration, businesses need to empower remote and on-site employees with a full suite of features and high-quality gear.Continue Reading

• What is VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol)?

  VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) is the transmission of voice and multimedia content over an internet connection.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Teams

  Microsoft Teams is cloud-based team collaboration software that offers core capabilities, including business messaging, calling, video meetings and file sharing.Continue Reading

• Teams Rooms vs. Zoom Rooms: What's the difference?

  Both Teams Rooms and Zoom Rooms offer compelling video conferencing services, but there are important distinctions between the two.Continue Reading

• Mobile unified communications: Everything you need to know

  Mobile unified communications is becoming an increasingly important strategy for businesses of all types and sizes. Here's everything you need to know about mobile UC.Continue Reading

• The latest video conferencing standards and protocols

  A new crop of video conferencing standards could help boost performance, but not every standard will be adopted by every vendor.Continue Reading

• 3 top trends reshaping unified communications jobs

  UC professionals looking to switch jobs need to be nimble, versatile and willing to show they can make their future employers more efficient and more productive.Continue Reading

• VoIP codecs explained: How to optimize VoIP quality

  The key to a high-quality VoIP call is the right codec. Explore common codecs, their features and potential drawbacks to choose the right one for VoIP optimization.Continue Reading

• How do you record Zoom meetings using OBS?

  Open Broadcaster Software is becoming an essential tool for companies requiring advanced recording features for Zoom. The software also makes it easy to livestream meetings.Continue Reading

• Test your knowledge of E911 compliance requirements

  Compliance with E911 regulations must be a core part of an organization's phone system strategy. Take this quiz to see how well you understand E911 compliance requirements.Continue Reading

• How does Microsoft Teams track user activity?

  Companies eager to track their remote workers' productivity are examining how UC apps like Teams track user activity. How does Teams track what users do on their devices?Continue Reading

• Harnessing UC tools to address proximity bias in the workplace

  Hybrid work offers employees flexibility, but they run the risk of losing out to those who are in the office full time. Unified communications tools can help close the gap.Continue Reading

• real-time communications (RTC)

  Real-time communications (RTC) is any mode of telecommunications in which all users can exchange information instantly or with negligible latency or transmission delays.Continue Reading

• Using generative AI to improve VoIP communications

  Generative AI has the potential to dramatically reshape how companies manage their VoIP communications. A more intelligent chatbot could do a lot of wonders.Continue Reading

• analog telephone adapter (ATA)

  An analog telephone adapter (ATA) is a device used to connect an analog telephone, fax machine or similar equipment to a computer or network to enable communications over the internet.Continue Reading

• MS-700 practice exam tests Teams phone system knowledge

  This practice test for the MS-700 Managing Microsoft Teams exam quizzes readers on how to manage the Teams phone system, from call queues to Direct Routing.Continue Reading

• Prepare for Teams admin certification with MS-700 study guide

  Learn the administrative responsibilities for the Teams phone system in this excerpt from 'MS-700 Managing Microsoft Teams Exam Guide.'Continue Reading

• UCaaS vs. VoIP: What's the difference?

  Both UCaaS and VoIP offer some compelling benefits, but which approach works better depends on how your organization is structured.Continue Reading

• leased line

  A leased line is a bidirectional telephone line that has been rented for private voice, data exchange or telecommunication use.Continue Reading

• How to calculate video conferencing bandwidth requirements

  Image motion, frame rates and screen resolution often dictate video conferencing bandwidth requirements. Learn four steps to address remote and office video call bandwidth needs.Continue Reading

• 3 considerations to choose the right communication channel

  Workers rely on unified communications as a service to interact with colleagues and external contacts. But knowing which app to use to communicate most effectively is a challenge.Continue Reading

• cloud telephony (cloud calling)

  Cloud telephony (cloud calling) is a type of unified communications as a service (UCaaS) that offers voice communication services through a third-party host.Continue Reading

• What is UCaaS? Unified communications as a service guide

  Unified communications as a service (UCaaS) is a cloud delivery model that offers a variety of communication and collaboration applications and services.Continue Reading

• quality of service (QoS)

  Quality of service (QOS) refers to any technology that manages data traffic to reduce packet loss, latency and jitter on a network.Continue Reading

• UCaaS vs. CCaaS vs. CPaaS: What's the difference?

  It can be difficult to make sense of popular cloud communications service models. Compare UCaaS vs. CCaaS vs. CPaaS to understand their differences and how they can be used together.Continue Reading

• bring your own carrier (BYOC)

  Bring your own carrier (BYOC) is a method of letting businesses choose their own carrier to connect their unified communications provider to the public switched telephone network.Continue Reading

• Explore UCaaS architecture options and when to choose them

  The first step to a UCaaS migration is choosing the deployment architecture. Learn how to choose which UCaaS architecture best suits your organization's needs.Continue Reading

• private branch exchange (PBX)

  A private branch exchange is a telephone system within an enterprise that switches calls between users on local lines, while enabling all users to share a certain number of external phone lines.Continue Reading

• eavesdropping

  Eavesdropping is the act of listening to, recording or intercepting private communications.Continue Reading

• incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC)

  An incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) is a type of U.S. telephone company that provided local service when the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was enacted.Continue Reading

• Telepresence vs. video conferencing: What's the difference?

  Though seemingly similar in concept, telepresence and video conferencing have different approaches to virtual meetings.Continue Reading

• team collaboration tools

  Team collaboration tools -- also known as team collaboration software -- is a term used to define the different types of software and online services available to companies and individuals that enable them to feasibly work together on common ...Continue Reading

• How to use Webex with OBS to enhance meetings

  As the working world shifts to hybrid, companies look for ways to improve virtual meetings. OBS facilitates this by providing enhancements to video calls for Webex users.Continue Reading

• vishing (voice or VoIP phishing)

  Vishing (voice or VoIP phishing) is a type of cyber attack that uses voice and telephony technologies to trick targeted individuals into revealing sensitive data to unauthorized entities.Continue Reading

• What is a jitter buffer used for?

  Jitter buffers play a key role in supporting audio quality and mitigating network anomalies. Learn how jitter buffers work and their potential drawbacks.Continue Reading

• Comparing visual collaboration and ideation for productivity

  Visual collaboration and ideation each play a specific and significant role in increasing worker productivity, while also working toward growing today's market.Continue Reading

• jitter

  Jitter is any deviation in, or displacement of, the signal pulses in a high-frequency digital signal.Continue Reading

• data transfer rate (DTR)

  The data transfer rate (DTR) is the amount of digital data that's moved from one place to another in a given time.Continue Reading

• unified communications and collaboration (UCC)

  Unified communications and collaboration (UCC) is the collection of technology and software that combines enterprise communication with real-time and asynchronous cooperation capabilities.Continue Reading

• Cisco collaboration study guide for 350-801 CLCOR exam

  Learn the basics of Cisco collaboration products and how to deploy collaboration tools in this excerpt from 'CCNP and CCIE Collaboration Core CLCOR 350-801 Official Cert Guide.'Continue Reading

• Cisco collaboration 350-801 CLCOR practice test questions

  This 350-801 CLCOR practice test for the CCNP and CCIE certifications quizzes readers on Cisco collaboration technologies, from endpoints to applications.Continue Reading

• Hot desking vs. hoteling: What's the difference?

  More and more companies are adopting hybrid workforce models, but as physical office spaces shrink, what are some options to support employees who do come into the office?Continue Reading

• 4K video resolution

  4K video resolution is high-definition (HD) video that has four times the resolution of 1080p HD video.Continue Reading

• cloud PBX (private branch exchange)

  A cloud PBX (private branch exchange) is a business phone system for connecting employees to a telephone network using a managed service running in the cloud.Continue Reading

• How to record Zoom breakout rooms

  Zoom doesn't make it easy to record a breakout room, but with a few extra tweaks, it can be done. Here's why it's worth the effort.Continue Reading

• How asynchronous video communication boosts remote work

  When it's time to share information with colleagues, a full-blown video conference isn't always necessary. Maybe an app like TikTok could help.Continue Reading

• 5 steps to address hybrid meeting equity

  Meeting equity is more than how you appear on camera. Follow these five steps to ensure hybrid meetings are engaging, productive and equitable for all employees.Continue Reading

• How to plan a hybrid conference room setup

  Conference rooms need to evolve as employees demand the same rich virtual meeting experience they have on desktop. Learn how to approach a hybrid conference room setup.Continue Reading

• The difference between a traditional and hybrid meeting room

  Hybrid meeting rooms differ from traditional rooms that focused on in-person attendees. Learn the challenges facing large and small rooms in supporting hybrid meetings.Continue Reading

• Understanding WebRTC security architecture

  WebRTC is a secure technology for real-time communications, but security also depends on the application using it. Find out how developers can maintain that security.Continue Reading

• What is a hybrid meeting?

  Employees are now signing into meetings from a variety of locations. What's the best way to support hybrid meetings and to ensure that workers remain productive and engaged?Continue Reading

• VoIP gateway vs. PBX: What is the difference?

  When calls are transmitted over a VoIP gateway, voice data packets are assembled at the edge of the network. An IP private branch exchange uses a much different model.Continue Reading

• Where do Zoom recordings go? How to find saved recordings

  Zoom meeting recordings are saved and stored on your desktop or the Zoom cloud. But your organization may have security rules that restrict meeting recordings.Continue Reading

• real-time application (RTA)

  A real-time application is an application program that functions within a time frame that the user senses as immediate or current.Continue Reading

• What's the difference between speech and voice recognition?

  It's easy to be confused about the difference between speech and voice recognition. Each has a specific role to play in business collaboration and contact centers.Continue Reading

• Indefeasible Right of Use (IRU)

  In telecommunications, the Indefeasible Right of Use (IRU) is a contractual agreement (temporary ownership) of a portion of the capacity of an international cable.Continue Reading

• How do you create a Microsoft Teams template?

  Microsoft Teams templates provide predefined collaboration spaces for specific business processes and team structures. Learn how to create a Microsoft Teams template in five steps.Continue Reading

• Erlang C

  Erlang C is a traffic modeling formula, primarily used in call center scheduling to calculate delays and to predict waiting times for callers.Continue Reading

• greenfield deployment

  A greenfield deployment is the design, installation and configuration of computer infrastructure where none existed before, for example, in a new office.Continue Reading

• codec

  A codec is a hardware- or software-based process that compresses and decompresses large amounts of data.Continue Reading

• telegraph

  A telegraph is a communication system that sends information by making and breaking an electrical connection.Continue Reading

• Video streaming vs. video conferencing: What is the difference?

  Companies are finding that video streaming and video conferencing can serve the same purpose. That doesn't mean, however, they are interchangeable. Find out why.Continue Reading

• Top 16 unified communications market blogs to follow

  Follow these top unified communications blogs for the latest trends in the UC and collaboration markets. These blogs provide insight into analyst research, product news and market trends.Continue Reading

• instant messaging

  Instant messaging, often shortened to IM or IM'ing, is the exchange of near real-time messages through a standalone application or embedded software.Continue Reading

• How do you set up Zoom breakout rooms?

  Breakout rooms might seem difficult to configure, but it's not so challenging once you have the right options enabled. Our expert outlines how to set up Zoom breakout rooms.Continue Reading

• video streaming

  Video streaming is a continuous transmission of video files from a server to a client.Continue Reading

• VoIP caller ID (voice over Internet Protocol caller identification)

  VoIP caller ID (voice over Internet Protocol caller identification) is a caller ID application for VoIP phones that works in the same way as caller ID on a conventional telephone line.Continue Reading

• teleconference

  A teleconference is a live audio or audio-visual meeting with two or more participants.Continue Reading

• WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communications)

  WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communications) is an open source project that enables real-time voice, text and video communications capabilities between web browsers and devices.Continue Reading

• communications platform as a service (CPaaS)

  Communications platform as a service (CPaaS) is a cloud-based delivery model that allows organizations to add real-time communication capabilities, such as voice, video and messaging, to business applications by deploying application program ...Continue Reading

• How to integrate your phone system with Microsoft Teams

  Before organizations migrate their existing phone systems into Microsoft Teams, they need to select the right telephony architecture that fits their business needs.Continue Reading

• What is a H.323 gatekeeper?

  A gatekeeper is a management tool for H.323 multimedia networks.Continue Reading

• How to use virtual whiteboards on Zoom and Microsoft Teams

  Whiteboards in remote meetings can add another layer of collaboration by enabling users to visualize concepts. Learn how to use virtual whiteboards on Zoom and Microsoft Teams.Continue Reading

• Avaya

  Avaya is an American technology company that specializes in business communications services, such as unified communications (UC) and contact center (CC).Continue Reading

• What is speech technology?

  Speech technology is a type of computing technology that enables an electronic device to recognize, analyze and understand spoken word or audio.Continue Reading

• Learn how to invite external users to Slack workspaces

  Bringing external users to Slack offers organizations productivity benefits. Learn how to invite external users to Slack and manage shared channels and workflows.Continue Reading

• video conferencing

  Video conferencing is live, visual connection between two or more remote parties over the internet that simulates a face-to-face meeting.Continue Reading

• 3 tips to build a professional home video conferencing setup

  As remote work becomes more common, connecting with your teams gets tougher. An effective home video conferencing setup can help bridge the communications gap.Continue Reading

• Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)

  Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is a signaling protocol used for initiating, maintaining, modifying and terminating real-time sessions that involve video, voice, messaging and other communications applications and services between two or more ...Continue Reading

• Understanding virtual meetings pros and cons

  This chapter excerpt from 'Suddenly Virtual' explores the importance of using video for virtual meetings and the challenges of always being on camera.Continue Reading

• Training is key for effective remote meetings

  Authors Karin M. Reed and Joseph A. Allen discuss how to support effective remote meetings. The most important factor for virtual meeting success? Training.Continue Reading

• What is the difference between Zoom and Zoom Rooms?

  For some users, Zoom Meetings is all they will need; others may opt for Zoom Rooms. Learn about the features each service provides and the supported use cases.Continue Reading

• Internet Protocol (IP)

  The Internet Protocol (IP) is the method or protocol by which data is sent from one computer to another on the internet.Continue Reading

• VoIP phone

  A VoIP phone is a hardware- or software-based telephone designed to use voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to send and receive phone calls over an IP network.Continue Reading

• IP telephony (Internet Protocol telephony)

  IP telephony (Internet Protocol telephony) is a general term for technologies, products and services that use the Internet Protocol's packet-switched connections to support voice calling, voicemail, video calling, video conferencing, faxing and ...Continue Reading

• What is voicemail and how does it work?

  Voicemail capabilities have evolved since the early days of answering machines. Learn what voicemail is and how features have advanced as the technology became digital.Continue Reading

• What are the challenges of using multiple team collaboration apps?

  Companies are already using a variety of collaboration platforms, but managing them is hard. What should companies know when juggling multiple team collaboration apps?Continue Reading

• Microsoft Teams vs. Slack: Which is better for your business?

  Organizations deploy collaboration apps as they wrestle with keeping remote employees engaged and informed. Learn how to weigh Microsoft Teams vs. Slack to determine which app is best for you.Continue Reading

• What does 'bring your own carrier' mean for UCaaS platforms?

  Migrating to UCaaS doesn't always mean an organization can keep its PSTN or SIP carrier. But some providers are taking a 'bring you own carrier' approach to offer more flexibility.Continue Reading

• Time to move to UCaaS? UC's future indeed looks 'cloudy'

  Is it time for UCaaS for your organization? Probably. Even if the forces that propelled the work-from-home surge do recede, the future of UC is in the cloud.Continue Reading

• Test your knowledge of 2020's UC and collaboration news

  Wrap up 2020 with a look back at the top UC and collaboration news of the year. From Zoom lawsuits to Slack's acquisition, test your knowledge of the news that redefined the market.Continue Reading

• Cisco Webex

  Cisco Webex is a video conferencing and collaboration product suite.Continue Reading