Unified comms key to growth

More than half UK companies with a unified communications strategy say improved internal communication is the top business benefit, according to a survey by IT supplier Dimension Data.

Unified communications enables users to communicate through a single user interface using most communication channels including voice, e-mail, fax, instant messaging, videoconferencing and web collaboration.

The survey found 66% of those IT managers surveyed who had implemented unified communications, reported improved internal communication was the biggest benefit.

Some 57% of those surveyed ranked greater business efficiency, a more flexible workforce and reduced travel costs equally as the next most important benefits.

They said on average time wastage had reduced by 13%, travel costs were cut by 12%, carbon emissions were down 15% and general costs had been reduced by 10%.

Improved productivity was cited by 51% as a benefit of unified communications and respondents said productivity had increased by 10% on average.

Rob Stanley, Dimension Data's line of business director - Microsoft Solutions, said, "Large organisations investing in unified communications are enjoying concrete benefits at a time when they are needed more than ever."

The survey found that 62% of those surveyed said unified communications was key to supporting growth of their organisations, 47% had a formal unified communications strategy in place, and 47% said unified communications was the de facto standard for the future.