<p>Network World - This vendor-written tech primer has been edited by Network World to eliminate product promotion, but readers should note it will likely favor the submitter's approach.</p><p>Companies that have implemented unified communications have seen direct and tangible savings of up to 75% in their phone and equipment costs, but the longer-term and greater impact is increased productivity. What was originally seen as a soft benefit is now turning into hard ROI. Unified communications is becoming a strategic element in daily workflows and is making organizations more operationally efficient than ever before.</p><p>To achieve this, however, you need to understand how employees are using communications and collaboration services. The second step is to integrate communications processes into their business process, eliminating inefficiencies and human latency.</p><p>[ UC BATTLE ROYALE: Cisco, Avaya feel the heat from Microsoft Lync</p><p><a href="http://www.networkworld.com/news/tech/2013/062013-uc-271071.html">Keep reading...</a></p>