[August 28, 2008] Light Reading: Applications to Drive More Interest in Unified Communications Tweet (Wireless News Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Providers of unified communications (UC) platforms and services are focusing more effort and attention on developing and marketing applications that target specific enterprise user needs, a strategy shift that will have a significant impact on the continued development of the UC sector, according to the latest report published by Light Reading's VOIP Services Insider, a subscription research service from TechWeb's Light Reading. According to the report, "The Key to UC Revenue Success: It's the Apps" examines emerging trends in the UC applications market, providing an in-depth examination of the top UC applications (including those drawing user attention today), and hot applications that will likely draw more attention over the next 12 to 18 months. It examines the strategies of UC providers, including the types of markets and verticals they are targeting, the partnerships and acquisitions they have made, and their future R&D plans. Additionally, the report provides a comparative analysis of 11 of the top companies in the UC industry and how their products address applications. "Despite next-gen service trappings surrounding unified communications, customers want from UC what they have always wanted from conventional voice, video, and data offerings -- saved time, saved money, and increased productivity," says Denise Culver, research analyst with Light Reading's VOIP Services Insider and author of the report. "As they look to expand the user base for UC, vendors and service providers know they need to emphasize the practical aspects of UC adoption." But even as they emphasize the practical advantages of moving to UC platforms, providers of UC products and services understand that innovative applications will be the ultimate driver for wider UC adoption by enterprises of all sizes, Culver says. "Vendors are developing VOIP, IM, click-to-call, presence, whiteboarding, conferencing, and other applications specifically for small and midsize enterprises," she notes. "For larger enterprises, developers are targeting applications to specific vertical markets, such as using UC for outbound call notification systems now being installed by universities as a response to campus emergencies." Other key findings of The Key to UC Revenue Success: It's the Apps include the following: -- Fixed/mobile convergence and collaboration are UC applications -- Rich media with HD audio and video is one of the hot applications expected to pick up speed over the next 12 to 18 months -- Financial and healthcare are two of the largest verticals that have vendors creating specialized applications for UC platforms -- Vendors are developing strategic partnerships - often with competitors - to succeed in the UC applications space -- The push toward UC partnerships is also sparking more interest in open platforms for UC The Key to UC Revenue Success: It's the Apps provides critical data and analysis for a range of industry participants, including: -- Unified communications technology suppliers looking for an independent assessment of the UC application market and opportunities -- Network operators evaluating deployment of UC platforms and applications -- Investors needing a better understanding of the scale of the opportunity that the UC application sector presents, and which companies are best positioned to take advantage of that opportunity Companies Mentioned: img.lightreading.com/evi/pdf/vsi0808_companies.pdf ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) ((Distributed on behalf of 10Meters via M2 Communications Ltd - http://www.m2.com)) ((10Meters - http://www.10meters.com)) Copyright ? 2008 Wireless News [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]