What is Unified Messaging?

Exchange Server 2010 Unified Messaging (UM) combines Voice Messaging, Fax messaging and Email messaging in to one store, accessible from many different devices. UM Integrates Microsoft Exchange with telephony networks so that users can access their messages using Outlook Voice Access (OVA) for any telephone, mobile phone or from PC.

Features of Unified Messaging 

• Single Messaging Infrastructure
• Single Mailbox for Email and UM
• Voice Mail
• Auto Attendant
• Subscriber Access

Single Messaging Infrastructure.

Exchange Server 2010 SP1 UM combines voice messaging and email messaging in to a single messaging infrastructure

Single Mailbox

Both email and voice message will be using a single mailbox which can be accessed from many different devices

Voice Mail

Exchange UM can be configured as a Voice Mail platform for IPPBX s or Gateways. It's capable of answering an incoming call on behalf of the user. It provides user personal greetings, message recordings. The recorded message will be sent to the user by an email attachment.

Subscriber Access.

Subscriber access is used by users to access their individual mailboxes in order to retrieve email, voice mail, contacts and calander information. Subscriber access enables an Enterprise Voice user to access voice mail, calander and contact information form a telephony interface. A subscriver access number is configured by the exchange administrator on a UM dial plan.

Auto Attendant

Exchange UM can be configured as an Auto Attendant for incoming calls. It provides greeting for the caller and allow them to transfer to an internal Extension or to an operator based on their input.


Benifits of Integrating with Lync Server 2010

• Voice Mail, Email and Instant Messaging
• message Waiting Indicator (MWI)
• Unified Contacts
• Unifies Conferencing

Voice Mail, Email and Instant Messaging Benifits

Users can see if they have new voice mail either from Lync Client window or by looking at the iocn in the notification area at the bottom of the screen.
users can click the play button on the voice message to hear the audio part of the message. Else they can open the message from Outlook or Outlook Web Access to see the full content of the message.

Message Waiting Indicator (MWI)

Exchange UM notifies the Lync User that they have a new voice mail message. As earlier versions of Communications Servers, with Lync 2010, users are no longer required to switch to Outlook to manage voice mail since Lync 2010 will use Exchange Web Servises to manage read/unread status as users listen to the voice message.

Unifies Contents

In an environment that integrates Lync Server 2010 with Exchange Server 2010 UM, Exchange Server maintains a single unified contact store for contacts across Lync 2010, the Outlook 2010 messaging and collaboration client, and other end points, eliminating the need of maintain multiple contact lists and provides a consistent experience across programs. All contact identities between Lync Server 2010, Exchange 2010 and other end points are shared and remain one identity.

Unified Conferencing

Lync 2010 integrates with Outlook to make scheduling, joining and facilitating meetings easier. Lync 2010 is the only client needed for all types of meetings, both scheduled and spontaneous.