The IT landscape is continually changing and in an effort to invest in technology which is relevant and will serve as a foundation for future expansions, consumers are turning to unified communications (UC), said Lindsey McDonald, an analyst for Frost & Sullivan, addressing the 2008 NEC Phillips conference.
“In 2008, users are spoilt for choice, but this choice is confusing. Consumers want to know what works and what is necessary. They want to make investments which are justified and which will last,” she explained.
The move towards UC in SA is driven by the increasing devices available, the increasing necessity of mobility in today's business environment, and the growing need for accessible real-time data, said McDonald. “UC builds all devices one could need into a single device; for mobility, it enables relationship building and it engages consumers globally, ensuring there is a decrease in the time it takes for business process decisions to be made.”
It is all about the user, she emphasised. They select their mode of communication, which allows them to remain connected anytime, anywhere, and eventually become product designers. But companies need to be aware of the restraints in the South African market.
“Education is still necessary in SA. A lot of people are still not aware what UC is; there is also a lack of proven return on investment; the lack of infrastructure, which is driven by the current skills shortage, is also a restraint; and there is a need for new investments and this drives up costs.”
However, these restraints should not deter companies from making investments in UC, she said. UC allows for increased communication, which closes the existing communication gap; they create effective communication which increases productivity; they allow for the faster deployment of solutions, and as a result, enable faster decision-making processes; and they greatly improve organisational processes and result in multiple cost reductions, she stressed.
“It is projected that the UC market will grow by 11% in 2009, to R41 million, from R37 million in 2008, and this will be driven by developments such as 2010 and the Seacom cable. It's also the result of the move away from network-centric models of communication towards systems geared towards increased consumer satisfaction and all this promises more for the future,” she concluded.
Share