Forrester flags up managed telecoms growth

Downturn is prompting firms to purchase more managed telecoms services, according to research house

Managed telecoms services are gaining in popularity due to the downturn, Forrester Research has asserted.

Almost 20 per cent of the 2,300 North American and European IT executives quizzed by the research giant said they are purchasing more managed telecoms services as a result of the economic slowdown.

Unlike previous years, respondents cited their desire to focus on their core business competencies rather than cost as the top reason for pursuing that model. Some 47 per cent of enterprise IT decision makers and 37 per cent of SME IT decision makers indicated they have already purchased, managed or outsourced telecoms services.

The survey also revealed widespread adoption of unified communications (UC), with 22 per cent of enterprise respondents and 24 per cent of SME respondents reporting they are currently implementing a UC solution.

Forrester also found that the desktop voice over IP market is continuing to grow gradually. Some 34 per cent of enterprise respondents said they have already implemented, or are in the process of implementing, the technology.