Unified Communications Merges With IP Telephony In 2007

IP communications has evolved from a replacement technology for business telephone systems into unified communication (UC) applications that improve worker productivity and reduce business delays in reaching key decision-makers. With renewed emphasis on business benefits for acquiring UC, IT managers can further justify investments in IP communications based on savings from simplifying the management of their communication applications and the ability to connect to others quickly regardless of device or location. IT managers can choose from a wide array of vendors including communication equipment providers, collaboration companies, and enterprise application vendors. These companies often extend the capabilities of their core product lines and connect communication functions with desktop collaboration applications. Although the UC market is still a developing one, it enables companies to gain new value from investments in IP telephony (IPT), messaging, conferencing, video, and mobility and promotes continued market growth for investments in these applications.