Unified Comms

How to tell if your Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn efforts are paying off

As businesses make more use of social networks, the number of engagement, analysis and monitoring tools has exploded. Enterprises are trying to understand their return on social media investments, to find out if their Twitter and Facebook marketing campaigns are actually delivering customers. They want to track social mentions across multiple networks and be responsive to both kudos and complaints.

By David Strom | 25 March, 2013 13:51

Tags: freemium, unified communications, Internet-based applications and services, LANs & Routers, applications, Networking, Salesforce.com, internet, Facebook, Google, Web 2.0, software, twitter, collaboration, social media, intel

4 Bluetooth speakers: Mono colors with stereo sound

Even the most high-end smartphones and tablets today still have less-than-stellar speakers. We test four mobile Bluetooth speakers to see how they can improve your sound.

By Barbara Krasnoff | 22 March, 2013 11:09

Tags: Native Union, Computer Peripherals, Mobile/Wireless, Networking, wireless, jabra, mobile

7 low-cost videoconferencing services: Which is best for your meeting?

We look at 7 online videoconferencing services that help colleagues and friends keep in touch, share screens and collaborate on presentations.

By Serdar Yegulalp | 18 December, 2012 11:17

Tags: applications, skype, Google, Desktop Apps, software

Web-based conferencing comes of age

As more people telecommute, having a reliable way to connect via desktop video conferencing takes on greater importance. And for employees working in the office, Web-based meetings are a cheaper and less time consuming alternative to business travel.

By David Strom | 22 October, 2012 13:41

Tags: LogMeIn Join.Me Pro, freemium, unified communications, Cisco Webex, Networking, Skype Premium, Citrix GotoMeeting, logmein, videoconferencing, desktop videoconferencing, Microsoft Lync 2013, Vyew.com Professional, InterCall United Meeting, skype, Microsoft, Adobe Connect

How we tested Web-based conferencing services

We set up a variety of meetings on each of the services and then connected via different desktops, browsers, and mobile clients to see how each displayed the meeting content and handled the audio connection.

By David Strom | 22 October, 2012 04:48

Tags: unified communications, Dell, Networking, logitech, desktop videoconferencing, videoconferencing

Review: 6 free email servers for small business

Even as social networking continues to gain in popularity, email remains the undisputed workhorse of messaging, far eclipsing all other forms of electronic communication. Email administration can be a costly function, especially for small to midsized organizations, and many administrators are looking for alternatives to enterprise-sized (and priced) commercial products.

How to Choose a Mail Server

Choosing a mail server is never an easy task. Email management itself is a complex endeavor, and this is reflected in the wide variety of tools we choose to create, edit, send, organize and reply to the vast numbers of email messages that crisscross the globe on a daily basis.

10 file-sharing options: Dropbox, Google Drive and more

Even with all the online storage now available, sharing files -- especially large ones -- can still be a problem. We look at 10 online services that aim to make it simpler.

Galaxy S III review: Hands down, the best Android smartphone

Thanks to real attention to usability and meaningful features, Samsung's flagship takes its place as the Android front-runner

Droid Incredible 4G LTE review: Great sound, good price

HTC's Droid Incredible 4G LTE is not the sexiest smartphone on the market, but it offers great sound and Android 4.0 for a reasonable price.

Seagate Backup Plus review: Save your social media data

Seagates new line of Backup Plus drives is a convenient way to ensure data from your computer and from social networking sites is backed up.

10 e-commerce platforms make selling simpler

We take a hands-on look at 10 e-commerce tools that can help businesses large and small sell products and/or services online. Insider (registration required)

Review: Weighing Windows Server 2012

From network services and storage to virtualization and private cloud, the beefy new Windows Server leaves no server role unturned

Samsung Galaxy S III review: A rock star phone, but does it deliver?

Samsung's Galaxy S III is one of the most hotly anticipated Android phones ever. So does it actually live up to all the hype?

Google polishes Chrome OS, but is it enough to entice buyers?

Google launched the Chrome OS in late 2010 and has continued to update it despite lukewarm reception by the public toward the platform's model: a browser-centered OS running on a lightweight, minimally-spec'd notebook meant to be used with an always-on Internet connection.

Review: Up close with NetSuite's deep ERP

NetSuite offers extensive ERP, CRM, and other business management functionality to organizations that recognize the value proposition associated with SaaS

Fluent review: An innovative new interface for Gmail

A new service called Fluent promises to revolutionize the way you use Gmail. We put it to the test to see what it's really all about.

Review: 3 Web stack monitors in the cloud

Monitoring services from Boundary, Circonus, and Librato combine simple setup and richly different capabilities

Microsoft Lync 2010: Unified communications comes of age

Every once in a very long while, I get to review a product that strikes me as a stepping stone toward the future. Microsoft Lync 2010 combines instant messaging, VoIP calling, live meetings, and videoconferencing, but it's more than the sum of these parts. Although Lync integrates with almost any PBX, it puts the PC at the center of communications so effectively that it could send your current phone system packing.

By Brian Chee | 21 April, 2011 01:27

Tags: applications, Microsoft, software, collaboration