VARs State VoIP Like

Solution providers in the networking market are staking a claim in the VoIP space, with more than 40 percent of recently surveyed providers saying they currently sell VoIP/UC products with almost another 13 percent planning to sell them in the near future. VoIP is also named the fastest growing network technology in the survey.

The survey, conducted by Channel Web, reveals that VoIP is one of the most profitable technology practices out there for VARs, second only to network management. Experience and scale count for a lot in winning business. VoIP adoption is winning over customers due to lower costs and increased productivity, with UC being part of the discussion for increased productivity. 

Approximately half say they have included IP video conferencing, IM or collaboration tools in their UC solutions while more than 30 percent have included fixed-mobile convergence.

Microsoft's entry into the VoIP space is causing a mixture of sales opportunities and some confusion in the marketplace. Overall, more than 46 percent of VARs say they expect Microsoft OCS 2007 to open up the SMB market to unified communications solutions and more than a quarter of them say Microsoft's UC portfolio will complement Cisco's, creating opportunities for vendors with feet in both camps.

For more:
- ChannelWeb's VoIP State of Technology article

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