Unified communications (UC) integrates real-time communication services like instant messaging, telephony, video conferencing, and non-real-time services like voicemail and email. UC combines these services across multiple devices to provide a consistent user experience and optimize business processes. Some key UC vendors include Microsoft, Cisco, Nortel, IBM, and Mitel. UC benefits organizations by unifying disparate communication tools, enabling faster and more cost-effective deployments, and allowing secure, nonstop communications over the local area network.