The Mitel report, Creating a communication-led business: Understanding UC adoption, explores the drivers, challenges and benefits around introducing UC applications, based on a survey of 355 IT managers.
It reveals the perceived challenges of securing investment and senior buy-in are far less of an issue in reality and it is end users who are the biggest stumbling block to success, despite being the primary focus for the investment.
The research presents a clear opportunity for the IT channel to drive the adoption of UC and guide customers through the migration process to maximise success. Key insights include:
-UC is a priority for around half of IT managers; 27% have already introduced UC applications and 21% are actively planning a roll out
-UC is delivering tangible benefits through improvements in employee productivity (31%), cost savings (30%) and enabling flexible working options (25%)
-Employee needs are driving UC investment. Almost half (49%) of IT managers want to use UC to improve employee productivity and 24% to offer staff a more flexible working environment
-The biggest concerns when planning to introduce UC are getting end users on board with new ways of working (55%) and ensuring the applications are used to their full potential (46%)
Simon Skellon, Head of Sales, Mitel, said: “Today’s business environment is powered by mobility and the way that employees work, interact and communicate is changing. Our report shows that UC applications can play a significant role in transforming communication and collaboration in business and provides evidence of tangible benefits, which our channel partners can use to educate their customers and prospects.
“Unified communications has a significant part to play in evolving today’s mobile and multichannel workplace and the channel is ideally placed to drive adoption in the UK. There is a clear opportunity to educate existing customers on the benefits of introducing UC to increase sales, while UC as a service models ensure ongoing revenues.”