IDG Enterprise, a technology-focused business-to-business (B2B) media, research and expo company, recently published its 2015 “Unified Communications (News - Alert) & Collaboration (UC&C) Study”, an in-depth collection of research exploring the current state of the UC&C market.

UC&C solutions are quickly rising in popularity as businesses realize the need to implement more complete communications systems that take into account the variety of channels currently being used, such as telephone, text message, email, social media and video conferencing. UC&C initiatives combine these different channels with presence and collaboration applications to foster reliable and efficient communications, both internally and externally. It is especially important for businesses to base their communications off an effective UC&C platform in an increasingly globalized world with growing time and cost pressures as well as customer expectations.

IDG Enterprise’s research clearly reflects how UC&C is a growing concern for organizations, with 56 percent of enterprise and 66 percent of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) planning to implement or upgrade a UC&C solution within the next year. Furthermore, 39 percent of enterprises and 28 percent of SMBs are expecting an increase in their overall communications budget.

UC&C solutions are not immune from the cloud computing trend, with the vast majority of respondents indicating they plan on moving to a hybrid or fully cloud-based environment within the next two years. Companies are especially investing in newer communications technologies such as web, audio and videoconferencing services and IP telephony systems. IP phones are commonplace at the center of UC&C solutions, offering a range of expanded features as well as better security and reliability compared to traditional phone systems. According to IDG Enterprise, security and privacy concerns top the list of challenges when it comes to selecting and implementing UC&C.

“As data transformation continues, unified communications and collaboration tools are making an innovative leap and organizations are recognizing the value that sits within these solutions,” said Brian Glynn (News - Alert), Chief Revenue Officer of IDG Enterprise. “Tech vendors have more opportunity to provide tools that can drive business forward, now and in years to come, with emerging tech such as videoconferencing and cloud, along with enhancing the key role mobile workforce communication plays in organizations’ success.”