Unison has launched a VMware appliance version of its Linux-based unified communications software, Unison. The Unison Virtual Appliance means that companies can deploy a complete unified communications solution in minutes.

The virtual appliance includes a preconfigured Linux server with Unison Server already installed. This allows IT professionals to try the Unison beta with no cost and minimal setup time, by simply downloading and playing the virtual machine.

Currently in beta until the third quarter of 2008, Unison gives small and medium businesses (SMBs) an alternative to the costly and non-unified telephone and email systems they have had to use until now. By integrating telephony, email, IM and groupware into one single Linux unified communications server, Unison Server, it increases a company's productivity, while also reducing IT costs.

"The Unison Virtual Appliance is a great way to test Unison," said Igor Balk, Unison Technologies CTO. "It will let thousands more IT people see why Unison is superior to the over-complex unified communications offerings on the market today."