Unified Communications Slow, Says Research and Markets

Research_and_Markets.jpgResearch and Markets announced the addition of 2008 Trends to Watch: Unified
Communications to their offering.
Many enterprises are using technologies such as instant messaging with
presence, mobility or web conferencing services but in general the
uptake of all encompassing unified communications solutions has been
slow to take off. In this brief, Datamonitor outlines the changes in
this market and explains which trends will have the biggest impact in
2008.


Highlights of the Report

Many enterprises are currently using elements of UC such as instant
messaging with presence, mobility or web conferencing services but in
general the uptake of all encompassing communications solutions has been
slow to take off. Despite the publicity and hype, cost of implementation
and measurability of benefits are still the leading inhibitors.

Following on from recent advances in cellular technology and the rapid
uptake of mobile email and applications, mobile access is likely to
become a more integral part of enterprise communications. Desktop
functionality has been extended to the mobile phone and now IP telephony
and UC are heading the same way.

Green IT emerged as a hot issue in 2007 following on from the publicity
surrounding the environment and the recent political focus on businesses
carbon footprints. It is set to remain at the forefront of both vendors
and IT users minds throughout 2008 and will be a significant factor in
the marketing of unified communications solutions.

Some Key Points:

  • Uptake of unified communications is still in the early adopter phase
  • Mobility will play a greater role in the unified communications market
  • The availability of UC solutions for mobile devices is increasing
  • Mobility will help drive investments in unified communications
  • FMC and one number solutions will become a reality
  • Greater security implications and a higher demand for mobile management
  • Environmental concerns are driving investments in web conferencing & UC
  • Green IT will remain a hot topic in 2008
  • Video conferencing will be more widely adopted
  • Changing lifestyles mean more enterprises will support flexible working
    and deploy UC
  • Consumer IT activity will further influence enterprise deployments
  • Consumer and enterprise communication technologies merge
  • Apple, Google and Yahoo will emerge as serious enterprise mobility
    providers
  • Microsoft and IBM make an impact and gain market share
  • Microsoft is gaining market share
  • IBMs open standards strategy and systems integrator business should
    allow it to advance
  • More collaboration between vendors but increased competition
  • The economic slowdown will lead to increased interest in software as a
    service
  • IT strategies may reflect the current banking crisis
  • Vendors are providing more SaaS options for unified communications and
    conferencing
  • 2008 will see increased targeting of the mid-market

Scope

- Provides an overview of the trends which will impact the unified
communications market in 2008.

- Discusses the integration of mobility with unified communications.

- Analyses how environmental and economic issues will affect the market.

- Relates consumer communication patterns to enterprise trends.

Key reasons to purchase this title

<p>
  - Identify the key trends in the unified communications market in order 
  to plan your go-to-market strategy.
</p>
<p>
  - Understand how changing work patterns and the economic climate will 
  affect the industry.<br /></p>

<p>
  Companies Mentioned: <br /></p><p>Cisco Systems, Inc.
</p><p>
  FMC Corporation
</p>
<p>
  Microsoft Corporation
</p>
<p>
  Rudolph Technologies, Inc.
</p>
<p>
  WebEx Communications Inc
</p>
<p>
  For more information visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c84668" shape="rect">http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c84668</a>
</p>
<p>
  Source: Datamonitor
</p>