Exchange Unified Messaging enables voice mail to be consolidated onto a single messaging platform. It allows users to read voice mail previews in their email inbox, create customized greetings and call transfers, and improves caller ID. The total cost of ownership decreases compared to traditional voice mail systems. Users can triage voice messages quickly by reading text previews of voice mails inline or listen to audio playback of messages. Call answering rules provide different menu options based on caller ID, similar to email inbox rules. Regulatory controls give greater flexibility to meet business needs with options for voice mail retention policies and standalone voice mail.