03 Nov 2008

Unified communications gives firms 'competitive advantage'

Firms which adopt unified communications (UC) solutions can boost their competitive advantage as well as making significant cost-savings, an expert has said.

According to Carl Potter, research director of communications at Bloor Research, writing at IT-Director.com, unified IP networking can generate savings of up to 40 per cent compared to traditional PBX systems.

Firms can benefit from simpler network management, low-cost VoIP calls and improved communication with their clients, suppliers and branch offices, he suggested.

UC definitions vary, but its main offering is streamlined business communication incorporating tools such as telephony, email and video conferencing, Mr Potter said.

The main potential benefits are cost savings and improved productivity both in terms of how individual workers do their jobs, and in how the company relates to customers, suppliers and partners," he added.

Virtualisation can also help firms make significant cost-savings on their technology costs, Alexandra Krasne of PC World Canada argued on the company's website this weekend.

Firms interested in the technology could try out Microsoft's free Virtual Server, Virtual PC and Silverlight application tools, the article suggested.