UC: Baffling but Creeping

Research is all over the map about unified communications (UC). Forrester says most small and large enterprises are uncertain about UC while Nemertes Research says UC projects are moving forward, but many businesses don't understand what it is all about.

According to Forrester's research, 55 percent of 2,187 North American and European companies surveyed said there is "confusion about the value" of UC for their companies. Despite this, 11 percent of firms have already deployed it, 16 percent are rolling it out, and 57 percent are evaluating it or piloting it. Pilot projects are up 21 percent since 2007, but there's no increase on firms actually buying. Companies aren't able to define UC very clearly for themselves and it's hard to prove ROI. Vendors aren't helping themselves by pitching vague solutions, says Forrester. Supporting mobility is a bigger priority these days.

Nemertes Research has preliminary data from interviewing 117 organizations averaging $10 billion in revenue, with more detailed results expected to be published later this summer. UC is being confused with unified messaging. Nemertes also finds vendors are fuzzing the picture as each one defines UC differently.

For more:
- Network World reports Forrester's enterprise UC confusion
- InternetNews.com and Nemertes say UC apps are creeping forward

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