The Telephone/Voice & Computer/Data industries have historically provided very different services. Yet today they can be highly competitive rivals at times. And the boundaries separating them are being erased even more by services such as Google Voice. The benefits to the consumer have been enormous, we've gained more direct control over how we can use the services and have fewer fees charged us to do it.

IP (Internet Protocol) technology is the reason, it has established a forced "hardware harmony". When using IP, all communication signals (voice, data, media, tv etc) are treated the very same. So they now travel over the same lines and equipment.

Being in harmony may be a simple concept, but in reality it's complex, as suggested by this Chinese Symbol for Harmony. It takes the influence of large companies like Google to bring about "software harmony" which further blurs the boundaries between voice and data tasks. Most phones now perform "data" type tasks and computers do many "voice" tasks. So much so, we now use the term "unified communication", instead of the old style of referring to the equipment being used.

• ----- VOICE device tasks -----
• Telephone call / FAX / Voice Mail / Cell phone call / Text Msg
• ----- DATA device tasks -----
• Email / Instant Message / Picture Mail / Webinar / Video

So what's this Harmony look like in everyday life?

Consider the Apple iPhone, designed to be a mobile telephone - but it's most admired for its computer applications and mobile Web browsing ability. Using new Google Apps (GAFYD.net) services we can make any iPhone have full 24x7 immediate, wireless synchronization with your PC's email, address book and calendars. Achieved without buying any special servers, cables or new PC software. So a one man office can have the mobile sophistication of a 1,000 person organization.

For years, large companies with IT departments, their own servers and lots of staff had advanced Email features - like PUSH email to mobile devices and the ability to do advanced shared calendaring and collaboration. PC's for smaller companies where limited to doing basic email and IM (Instant Message).

Using "cloud computing" even a very small company can have auto-dial to originate calls direct from their PC (MAC, Windows, or any other brand) regardless of the service provider. Plus they can get mobile phone voice mails automatically transcribed to text and placed directly into the email inbox. All the powerful features of email management are immediately extended to voice mail messages - even if your mobile phone is no where to be found. Harmony can be a good thing! and available for as low as $99.

Our standard GAFYD.net (Google Apps For Your Domain via Net) allows integration of Google Voice directly into your custom company Web site. Let your company gain a reputation for "cool features" while providing great value to your site visitors.

Best Regards, TOM