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.