As next-generation technology continues to evolve, so does the way people are able to communicate with one another. Armed with a cellular data plan, consumers can hop online at any time to text, IM, e-mail, or even video chat, with coworkers, family and friends.

In addition, many retailers such as Starbucks, The Holiday Inn and Panera Bread have begun offering patrons the ability to connect to a company Wi-Fi account just for coming in.

It’s hard to beat the convenience of portable Internet for the workplace, especially when it’s free.

AT&T (News - Alert) has seen the potential in connecting users on the go and has decided to release its cloud-based UC services portfolio across 49 countries, including the United States. The new set of services will allow both international and domestic markets to communicate using a variety of online services.

These communication tools will give users the ability to collaborate from two different countries in real time.

"Our research demonstrates that emerging innovations, including improved business collaboration tools, promise to boost business growth and employee productivity. When firms have strong key business enablers, investing in a comprehensive unified communications platform is an excellent example of how standardizing processes as well as adding functionality can double the probability of becoming highly competitive,” said Nils Fonstad, associate director of INSEAD eLab, at the UC Expo in London.

Moreover, said AT&T, these new sets of services include everything from instant messaging and video conferencing, to Web audio, voice calling and more. The new cloud-based platform from AT&T creates the ultimate all-in-one cloud-based solution.

"Unified communications and collaboration tools provide many benefits - including boosting employee productivity, improving responsiveness to customers, and simplifying business interactions. Together, this transforms how individual employees and teams within the business, as well as customers and suppliers, interact with one another," said Amy Lind, IDC research manager, Broadband, Enterprise Voice & IP Communications Services and Unified Communications (News - Alert).

 "A cloud-based unified communications solution enables businesses to use their existing communications investments and integrate new unified communications applications with the goal of transforming business processes."