2008 Trends to Watch: Unified Communications: Industry Report

2008 Trends to Watch: Unified Communications

Product Type: Market Research Report
Published by: Datamonitor
Published: January 2008
Product Code: R313-30004

Description

Introduction

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.

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.

Highlights

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.

Reasons to Purchase

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

Table of Contents

DATAMONITOR VIEW: CATALYST; SUMMARY
ANALYSIS: An introduction to unified communications; Definition; 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; IBM's 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
SUMMARY
APPENDIX: Definitions; Methodology; Further reading; Ask the analyst; Datamonitor consulting; Disclaimer

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