Deploying and managing unified communication systems has traditionally meant learning how to program a PBX system, how to support the SIP protocol, and any number of other specialized skills. It doesn't have to be that way though; these days, you can host your unified communications platform in the cloud and let someone else worry about the telephony protocols.

This book explains some of the basic concepts and technologies used by unified communications systems. It also discusses how the cloud has changed unified communications for the better, and what to look for in a provider.