Consolidated messages
Messages brought together in one location; synonymous with unified messages.

Inbox
Your inbox is the database that will store all of your voice mail, email, and faxes. You can access this via the phone or web with most unified messaging services.

Incoming messages
Messages that are sent to your unified messaging account. The service stores them all in one database. However, accounts are secure and password-protected.

Message retrieval
Accessing your messages, either by phone or web.

Software-based system
A unified messaging system that is installed on your company's network server, as opposed to a web-based service.

Speech-to-text
Replying to messages via the phone that are converted into text.

Text-to-speech
Using the telephone keypad to access messages in your inbox and listen to a computerized voice read them to you.

Unified messaging
A service that will combine all of your email, voice mail, and faxes into one mailbox, allowing you to access them by phone or through the web.

Voice/speech recognition
High-tech software that allows you to maneuver through your messages with voice commands, instead of using the telephone key pad.