The industry hype makes unified communications (UC) sound like it will cause seismic shifts across the business world. In the long run, some grandiose predictions may prove accurate because definitions of unified communications are so broad, with reports on uptake quoting big numbers, such as 50% of enterprises evaluating, installing, or running unified communications applications, the high-tech market research firm says. But, even baby steps, such as a unified messaging installation or a web conferencing subscription, are being counted in those reports, reports In-Stat.
"Real transformational changes will take more time, perhaps even a generation, to accomplish," says David Lemelin, In-Stat analyst.
"But, it's possible that a new generation, dubbed 'Millennials,' bringing to the workplace communications habits formed in their early years (text messaging, social networking, blogging, etc.), portends more rapid adoption."
A recent research done by In-Stat found that worldwide UC product revenues will reach 18 billion by 2012 with conferencing being the most compelling near-term opportunity for providers. |
