Firms want managed UC

UK firms looking to implement unified communications (UC) technology are looking to do so as a managed service, research has found.

A poll of 100 communications professionals carried out by Siemens Enterprise Communications (SEN) at this week's UC09 event found 56 per cent advocate introducing UC as a managed service. SEN claimed this reflects companies' desire to invest in UC in a carefully planned and financially practical way.

The most prevalent justification for splashing out on UC was increased productivity, which was cited by 24 per cent of respondents. Reduced cost was second with 19 per cent, improved customer service garnered 15 per cent and reduced travel 14 per cent. Seven per cent of respondents are making video calls.

UC kit's biggest selling point was identified as its ability to facilitate flexible mobile working patterns, which was cited by a quarter of respondents. A single number for all contact was a key selling point for 19 per cent, while 12 per cent claimed UC's crowning glory was its ability to integrate seamlessly into an existing communications infrastructure.

More than half of those quizzed are using UC in one way, shape or form including 17 per cent who have a full UC platform. UC capability will be a standard feature among enterprises within three years, claimed 51 per cent of respondents.

SEN's director of strategy Tim Bishop said: “Organisations are rightly assessing the benefits of unified communications and the commercial proposition that a managed UC service can deliver. They want to work with a partner that understands the technology and its benefits, who can also implement and deliver on a managed service basis.”