How has the economic downturn affected the mobile unified communications market?

Digg This!     StumbleUpon     Del.icio.us

RELATED CONTENT Mobile Unified Communications Presence, IM power mobile UC with or without fixed mobile convergence Mobile IP networks: An overview The benefits of mobile unified communications Implementing a mobile unified communications (UC) solution Understanding mobile unified communications (UC) products Tutorial: Mobile unified communications (UC) What are some of the best ways to ensure mobile security? Business IP telephony savings driving cost UC beyond the office walls Kraft Foods' UC pilot addresses physical workspace and technology Mitel adds fixed-mobile convergence to its SMB UC product Mobility with Caroline Gabriel What are some of the best ways to ensure mobile security? Can you virtualize enterprise applications on mobile devices like you would a desktop? What would the benefits be? How will the shift towards mobile UC affect the carrier service providers? Will end users benefit? Do you think smartphones will replace desk phones? Which mobile UC application or technology should I be looking into now if my goal is to cut down on phone tag and "human latency?" How does fixed mobile convergence (FMC) play into leveraging wireless UC solutions?

RELATED RESOURCES 2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary

The recession has had a mixed effect on mobile UC. It has slowed and delayed some projects, especially in companies where UC is in its early days or is largely seen as a trial/luxury, or is mainly driven from the users up. However, over the three-year timespan the recession is expected to have boosted uptake of mobile UC because more companies are evaluating it as a cost cutting and efficiency aid, and in companies where UC is already well used, there has been acceleration of the extension to mobile platforms, to support productivity programs. UC is being adopted where it can be proven to reduce inefficiencies and improve customer relations.

A recent report from Synergy Research Group found the worldwide market for enterprise telephony had been significantly damaged by the downturn, with many major VoIP and conferencing projects on hold, but within that, UC had seen fewer ill effects than other areas.

Financial pressures on small and medium companies had driven a trend to outsourcing UC or looking to managed services, as well as incorporating low cost social networking with UC.