According to research by Springboard Research, adoption of unified communications in Australia is in the early stages of development. However the same survey, conducted with 469 CIO’s and business ( Public Relations Melbourne ) owners, also states 33% of SMB’s are planning on adopting some form of unified communications in 2009. Pundits agree the market is about to boom, but what is all the hype about?
If done right, unified communications is a collaborative technology that gives users the ability to make the connections they want no matter what device they happen to be closest to. That’s because moving all communications to the IP network transforms traditional multimedia end-points, such as PC’s, smartphones and IP telephones into fully functional communication devices, allowing you to get what you need wherever you are. A good definition offered by UniComm Consulting is “communications integrated to optimize business ( PR agency ) processes”.
UC has its roots, and its largest acception ratios,during the corporation elite. However,no more is it a privilege reserved for the corporation. Small to mid-sized companies (SMB) are adopting UC in succession. One element fostering SMB UC adoption is utilizer’s growing comfort with instruments like instant messaging,social networking and mobility applications,said Simon Edwards, UC project director, British Telecom (BT).
One of the crucial elements not yet referred is maybe the most significant. Shifting from a traditional PABX system to a UC platform enables businesses ( Publicity PR ) to benefit from cost savings by using VoIP. VoIP makes SMBs able to make phone calls over the IP network (if utilized with an IP phone) and is a cheaper selection to the PSTN. The collaboration and flexbility abilities your commerce will get from UC will aid to cut down expenditures when increasing productivity and agility. Actually ,a recent investigation has adviced these crucial reasons are the most significant elements cited by SMBs like yours are adopting UC.
Nevertheless,the fundamental reasons behind why UC adoption rates among SMBs are lower remain in place, that is to say,a shortage of IT professionals as well as tighter budgets. Industry heavyweights such as Cisco are doing a fantastic job of overcoming these barriers. Determined to make the communications revolution common practice among Australian SMB’s, Cisco has first acted by reducing the costs of their UC500 systems, and secondly is bringing selected channel partners up to speed with the technical and sales knowledge required to successfully implement UC solutions in the SMB space.