Industry news

Unified communications 'will generate $2 billion in 2008'

Unified communications, including web conferencing applications, will likely generate $2 billion (£1.23 billion) by the end of this year, research shows.

A report produced by analyst Gartner suggests technology convergence will be a key force which will encourage this pattern.

It predicts video conferencing solutions will become widespread and "evolve" to become a desktop function.

Principal research analyst at the firm Bianca Granetto states collaboration "strengthens business processes" and makes human contact more valuable.

"More organisations have moved from an experimental phase to a richer experience and engagement phase of use," she claims.

Identifying cultural differences as a factor in the uptake of collaboration measures such as unified communications, the report suggests Europe will take longer to adopt these technologies as there is a culturally ingrained tendency towards meetings and interpersonal interaction.

Gartner suggests videoconferencing will become more fully integrated with other forms of interaction such as voice over internet protocol (VoIP), instant messaging and web conferencing.

According to a recent report by Aastra, using technologies such as virtual private networks, VoIP and telecommuting rather than travelling to work could save many commuters in London £40 a day.