September 08, 2011
Business VoIP Service Driving Increased Demand for Softphones
By Susan J. Campbell
TMCnet Contributing Editor
The smartphone and the applications targeted specifically for this platform have exploded in the marketplace. Rarely do you find an individual relying on the standard cell phone as the smartphone offers too many additional advantages. Believe it or not, as much as the smartphone can improve our efficiency, the real promise may be found in the softphone.
This Fierce Enterprise Communications (News - Alert) report highlights new research on the potential of softphones over the next six years. Indications show that businesses seeking to contain costs and take advantage of expanding business VoIP service networks are examining the potential of the softphone.
These findings were captured in a Global Industry Analysts forecast, which projects market growth at $217.2 million by 2017. This translates to 2.9 million units in volume sales. The key driver for this growth: increasing enterprise mobility and the virtualization of the workforce.
The firm also shared that while the United States is currently the largest market for softphones, it is not the fastest growing region. That title is claimed by the APAC region where sales due to increased business VoIP service are increasing at a CAGR beyond 19 percent. Revenue in this region appears to be growing at a CAGR of more than 13 percent.
Major players that stand to benefit from the adoption of business VoIP service and the increased demand for the softphone include Cisco, Avaya, Mirial (News - Alert), Broadview Networks, CounterPath and others.
Softphones continue to be adopted by call centers seeking to capitalize on the benefits of business VoIP service. These phones offer the center the ability to turn the standard PC or laptop into a telephone, enabling the call center to eliminate the need for wired hardware. The phones also provide space savings, are easily to install and setup and are more cost effective for long-distance international calling and rapid integration into database systems.
Market adoption of the softphone is being driven by more than just an increase in business VoIP service. SIP devices are being diffused, a progressive decrease in price points is taking place and the overall value proposition of IP softphones continues to increase. According to GIA, mobility and workforce virtualization are key growth drivers.
Vendors are increasingly looking to serve SMBs, providing specially tailored solutions that are designed to meet the unique requirements within this customer cluster. As SMBs increasingly seek to implement business VoIP service to leverage the benefits, and older telephony platforms reach the end of their lifecycle, IP and business VoIP service adoption is sure to continue to gain momentum.
Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by Chris DiMarco
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