New generation of communication exists for business.

When it comes to running a successful company, any business owner will tell you that communication is key.

But many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) find it hard to get a proper communication system that fits into their tight budgets.

A new partnership between Telus Corp and Microsoft Corp is hoping to change that. The two companies are teaming up to offer a range of services that will make communication between business partners, suppliers and employees cheaper and easier.

"SMBs are the single most under-served market in Canada," said Sean Seaton, director of Microsoft Canada's communications sector.

Seaton was speaking at a conference hosted by the Toronto Board of Trade in May, during which the partnership was announced. The focus, he said, is to provide better services to the SMB sector in Canada through unified communications.

Unified communications (UC) allows for the integrated use of a variety of communications tools, such as voice and e-mail, instant messaging or video conferencing in a secure environment. Often thought to be for the sole use of larger corporations because of cost constraints, Seaton said the new services offered through the Telus-Microsoft partnership will make that a thing of the past.

Using Microsoft products, which many people are familiar with, will reduce training and make the system more accessible, he added.

Take, for example, the Outlook Voice Access, part of the Microsoft Exchange 2007. By using any phone line and a toll-free number, Telus customers can access their mailbox to dictate, hear and forward new e-mails, as well as manage calendar and contact entries. In addition, users will be able to access e-mails, agendas and documents from any computer or over the Internet by accessing Outlook Web Access on a Windows Mobile-based or BlackBerry handheld device.

Other UC tools include accessing Microsoft SharePoint through a secure network to share documents, easily collaborate, find company resources, search for experts and corporate information and manage content and workflow. And all this can be accessed from a PC, Internet browser, mobile device or phone.

"Many of these tools were previously out of reach for small businesses," said Brent Douziech, vice-president of new product development at Telus. Also speaking at the conference, Douziech said UC will offer the SMB sector vital improvements such as ease of access, reduction in travel time and improved team activities.

For businesses that may be unsure of how a unified communication system could help them, Douziech suggested a visit to the Telus website ( www.telus.com ). Online, business owners will find an assessment tool that will let them plug in the particulars of the business and give them feedback as to the best communication tools available to meet their needs.

"Its all about business needs and business problems," he said. "And a need to solve those."

Carol Wilding, president and CEO of the Toronto Board of Trade, said the board decided to host the event because enhanced communication for small and medium-sized businesses is of particular importance to her members.

"One third of our members are the small businesses," she said. "Another one third are what we call medium-sized businesses."

Wilding said supporting the growth and development of these companies - by helping them become more competitive and connect with other business leaders - is a way to ensure that Toronto prospers as a city.

"Business very much now depends on communication technology," she said, adding that companies must work and trade in a much more globalized economy.


BY IZABELA JAROSZYNSKI

Source: http://www.torontobusinesstimes.com/tbt/article/49110