How do I become a subscriber? Go to our ClientDownloads page.  Download the client software that applies to your computer.  Follow the two-step process as instructed and complete it by typing in a User ID and Password.  You will automatically be registered on our system.  Then, complete the UCFirst Member Subscription Form on that is open on your desktop.  UCFirst will provide you with any additional information you need and contact you to regarding any questions you may have. Why should I go with UCFirst? At the foundation of the UCFirst is the FirstClass® Communications Platform and Collaborative Groupware technology, which features email, public folders, address book, conferences, centralized directory, chat, and personal and group calendars. It enables you to foster team building and the sharing of ideas, and participate within group discussion areas and shared workspaces. In addition, UCFirst powered by FirstClass® provides information management tools and web publishing capabilities. With the addition of Unified Communications technology you now have a powerful communications tool at your fingertips. UCFirst combines email, voice and fax messages into one easy to use, unified mailbox that can be accessed via the device of choice including cell phone, telephone, computer and handheld from any location, at any time. No longer do you have to rely on a number of different places to access your information and messages. Your information – no matter what the medium, whether it is a message, a presentation, document or spreadsheet – is just a mouse-click away with UCFirst. Additionally, UCFirst unified communications provides you with the benefits of customized call handling, virtual fax and text-to-speech capabilities, which enable your email to be read over the phone – a 'must-have' communications tool in any customer-centric organization. The FirstClass® core architecture gives your organization the flexibility to implement the technology that best suits your needs for today and tomorrow. For example, your organization can begin by implementing UCFirst Collaborative Groupware to help improve the collaborative process among your employees, partners and customers. You are then able to easily and cost-efficiently add unified communications to streamline your communications within and beyond your organization. The core architecture has modular growth capabilities and can evolve with your needs.  <TOP> Why FirstClass®? Since its inception in 1989, FirstClass® has been effectively addressing the evolving requirements of business.  The FirstClass® founders continue their tradition of innovation as the company grows into the next millennium.  Now part of Open Text, a leader in Knowledge Management and Collaboration software, FirstClass® is resource rich to go along with the unique and complete set of features presently available.  Integrating your group's collaboration future with FirstClass® is a smart move.  Outsourcing that service to trained FirstClass® professionals at UCFirst is cost effective, capital effective and provides flexibility for developing unique applications for your organization. <TOP> Why should I use unified communications? Do you know people who have given you a business card with three or four numbers on it.  That means they have three or four voicemails and/or fax numbers to check.  That means they may get the same basic message on different numbers.  That means they are wasting time chasing messages.  Ever wonder how many prospective clients left a message on one number then called a competitor rather than try to track them down.  Ever wonder how much time it would save each day to only have one place to check for messages.  The Robert Francis Group, business advisors to IT executives, estimated unified communication would save up to one hour per day in lost time and productivity.    However, you don't have to have four phone numbers to benefit from unified communications.  All outside salespeople, workgroups, customer service professionals, small businesses looking to sound larger, larger companies looking to be more personal,~consultants, agents and many other people needing to save time with communication and collaboration can benefit from unified communications.  It is the flexibility, efficiency and effectiveness of unified communications that is rapidly making it a must-have tool in today's business world. UCFirst effectively addresses the evolving requirements of business by understanding the daily demands put on you and your organization to interact with customers, suppliers and associates in a timely and efficient manner. No longer is "being on the road" an excuse for not returning calls or participating in meetings.  <TOP> I am part of a group of people that need to share calendars, address books and collaborate together.  Why is UCFirst right for us? UCFirst is just right for you.  The collaborative nature of UCFirst helps build teams of people.  Sharing calendars and address books is basic.  It is a cost effective communications solution that brings long-term benefits to your organization. UCFirst provides cross platform functionality to enhance collaboration, promote teamwork and streamline communications within and outside of your organization. As your organization continues to grow so does the risk of information overload. Having the ability to manage, access and share information anywhere, anytime – regardless of geographical location or device – allows you to manage the overload and to choose how and when information reaches you. It can dramatically impact employee productivity, relationships with customers and the ability to complete mission critical projects.  <TOP> How does UCFirst Benefit your Organization? Imagine being able to take control of all of your information and break free of traditional communication barriers including operating system and hardware restrictions, geographical and time zone roadblocks that prevent you from working on your own terms to close the sale or complete a mission critical project. No longer is location key to doing business – whether you are situated at your organization’s headquarters, working from your home office or on the road – you never miss a beat and always stay on top of incoming messages and information. Imagine not having to rely on free Internet accounts when traveling because you cannot easily connect to your corporate email system when you are away from the office – compromising the security of your company’s confidential information. Now with FirstClass® you can securely access all of your important messages from your FirstClass® account via the Internet by logging on to your FirstClass® Desktop. In addition, you are able to listen to voice messages and access fax and email messages – all through an easy to navigate user interface – giving you a comfort level that all of your information is secure.  <TOP> I am used to Outlook®  How different is it? The most important thing to remember is that you can still use Outook®.  Just make sure a couple of items are checked in the Outook® Accounts area and you can add unified communications to your email. UCFirst powered by FirstClass® is easy to learn. Once people change to the FirstClass® platform, they tend to adapt quickly and enjoy the experience.  While there will be some differences with your present system, people making the switch to the FirstClass® platform learn quickly.  They also find FirstClass® is capable of doing more than they can do with Outook®.  The other nice feature is that FirstClass® itself is not susceptible to those nasty viruses.  Remember, though, always keep your virus software up to date. <TOP>