We like to think that the global marketplace is full of forward-thinking players who are ready to embrace the latest technologies to promote efficient operations and the effective execution of sustainable strategies. More than just buzzwords, this approach to doing business is critical for businesses adopting the right platform to support the latest IP phones.

The impact it is having throughout the marketplace is considerable, as captured in a recent Telecom Reseller (News - Alert) report. This particular post is a combination of results from a variety of analyst firms including Infonetics Research, Dell’Oro Group, Synergy Research Group and CollabTel/CXO Reports.

The total IP PBX (News - Alert) lines shipments for North America represents 1.8 percent growth, with losses in the EMEA region of 3.8 percent and Asia Pacific of 11.2 percent. The rest of the world matched growth with North America, although total outcomes represented a loss of 3.8 percent overall.

According to Infonetics Research (News - Alert), there has been a big jump in mobile device usage in the workplace. The firm examined how medium and large organizations are evolving their access to networks that can more easily deliver on the demand for wireless connectivity to users regardless of location. Plus, WLAN is exploding.

Matthias Machowinski, directing analyst for enterprise networks and video at Infonetics Research noted that the explosion in wireless devices and demand for network access demonstrates there is no end in sight for the great build-out of the wireless LAN. Not only is the demand for mobile expanding, the need for IP phones to support the extension of greater capabilities is readily recognized by those holding the purse strings.

These organizations are planning to increase wireless coverage and grow their access points by more than 20 percent by 2015 in an effort to support user mobility, wireless devices and guest access. Such movement will require the designation of key strategic leaders within these organizations to drive the research, selection and deployment of the right solution and support to meet current and future needs.

At the same time, there are trends emerging in Unified Communications (News - Alert) that are having a wide-ranging impact. This segment of the market is growing faster than any other as companies are striving to identify efficient ways to increase productivity to meet competitive challenges. Areas of strong growth include video communications, mobility, cloud and managed services and WebRTC. These four key areas will enjoy the most movement as vendors and their customers watch for opportunities.

In all, the growth and demand are well ingrained in the IP communications market, from increased efficiency demands, support for mobility and the productivity afforded with Unified Communications. Vendors able to stay abreast of the latest innovations to meet real challenges will emerge the winner.