Forrester predictions 2010: Effects on softphones

Forrester published the report "Predictions 2010: What's In Store For The Telecom Industry?" and some of the predictions are related or will have an effect on desktop softphones:

• Convergence will move from collision to explosion.
• Green will be back on the telco agenda in a big way.
• The boundaries between work and home will continue to blur.
• Broadband will go universal.

Frost & Sullivan: UC with proven ROI

A new study from Frost & Sullivan draws a stronger correlation between collaborative tools and monetary gains. "If we're able to measure the amount of improvement … that UC can provide versus no UC, then we can say definitely there is some measurable return on investment," said Brian Cotton, a vice president at Frost & Sullivan. A company in Italy that has implemented UC including VoIP is closing five times more deals with online conferences than with trade shows, and estimated that they have since realized a $15,000 to $18,000 per month unified communications ROI.

• New product development occurred in 68% of enterprises that used UC tools versus the 39% that developed new products without collaborative tools.
• 76% of enterprises that used UC tools saw sales growth versus the 50% that increased sales without using them.
• Profit growth was also more likely in enterprises that invested in UC -- 71% versus 45%.
• Collaborative environments such as sales and research and development yielded the highest rate of return, while employee retention and turnover seemed to benefit least.
• Small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) appeared to see the lowest unified communications ROI, according to the study. Large enterprises with 1,000 or more employees yielded on average six times more value from collaborative tools than SMBs. Despite appearances, Cotton said, the finding doesn't mean SMBs don't benefit from UC. Instead, he said, they probably need to use UC for more than a limited number of employees and include suppliers, investors and key customer groups.

Frost & Sullivan white paper "Meetings Around the World II: Charting the Course of Advanced Collaboration"