One thing that will not be integrated into a unified messaging box is the snailmail. As much as I would like my post to appear in my inbox, this is not going to happen ........... unless you read iLocus blogs!!!! If there are secretarial services available whereby I could outsource my postal mail handling, I could achieve many things: I could filter out the junk post; I could get my mail delivered to my email account; I could send out autoresponder to those marketers where I want to be taken off the list; I could send autoresponders in case I move address. I could save some money on repeatedly having to pay for the re-directs if I move more often.
Just like you instruct the postal service to divert your post to a new address when you move, you could instruct the postal service to divert your post to this snailmail outsourcing (SMO) service provider.
Each morning when you log onto your unified messaging inbox, you will have a mail from the SMO provider which lists the letters you have received. You will then instruct (over web interface) which ones to purge and which ones to ‘forward’ to you. The SMO then opens your mail – the ones that are to be forwarded - scans, and forwards as pdf or jpg file to your email address.
Apart from integration with my inbox, the best thing I like about this service is the fact that it gives you true mobility. You could be anywhere in the world and still get the letters online.
So set up the SMO business but make sure you team up with the email service providers. Imagine if you have someone like Yahoo integrating and promoting your services. You would be laughing all the way to the bank.