* Unified communications adoption rate high among large companies
Executives are eager for unified communications to aid their businesses by boosting productivity and improving collaboration, according to the results of a new study. But cost and complexity are seen as barriers to deployment.
A survey conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit on behalf of telecom vendor BT shows that less than one-third of those surveyed have deployed unified communications technology. However, the adoption rate goes up to 40% when you look at larger firms with annual revenue of $1 billion or more, and 47% for those with revenue of more than $10 billion.
The survey is based on responses from 144 executives worldwide. About a third are c-level executives or board members, while the remainder are senior vice presidents, directors, department heads or other management positions.
Three-quarters of those business leaders polled cite the primary benefits of unified communications as increased productivity and improved collaboration. Other benefits identified by respondents include improved disaster recovery, improved competitiveness, better customer/supplier/partner relationships and reduced costs.
If you’re considering deploying unified communications, check out these resources that will help you understand the technology and the status of vendor offerings:
Unified communications’ twists and turns ensure slow arrival on corporate networks
Microsoft’s partners line up behind unified communications strategy
Cisco fleshes out Microsoft cooperation on unified communications
Unified communications: Battle Royal
Study: Businesses want unified communications but staff structure leaves them unprepared
Defining unified communications is a challenge
