Understanding End-User Adoption of Voice/Data Convergence Solutions (Customer Focus)

Publication Date	May 2008
Publisher	Datamonitor
Product Type	Report
Pages	25
ISBN Number	not applicable
Product Code	DAT11082

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Summary

Introduction

Analysing the results of a survey of 800 IT managers, this brief provides information about the penetration of voice/data convergence technologies and enterprises' investment strategies. The brief focuses on current penetration and investment opportunities by geography, vertical and enterprise size as well as analyzing enterprises' channel-to-market and outsourcing preferences for convergence.

Scope

Analyses the current penetration of voice/data convergence solutions among enterprises in North America and Western Europe. Gauges the investment opportunities in geographical markets and vertical industries. Provides an overview of enterprises' deployment and outsourcing preferences by geography. Evaluates key positions for making investment decisions and enterprises' perception of the leaders in voice/data convergence.

Highlights

The survey reveals that enterprises have been relatively slow in deploying these solutions, with only 59% of the enterprises currently having or using at least one convergence technology. This relatively low penetration may be explained to some extent by initial concerns about the security of a converged system and fear of reduced voice quality. There is variation in the deployment of voice/data convergence by vertical sector. Currently the insurance industry has the highest penetration of 70% and education is the lowest with 46% of the sample having deployed some form of voice/data convergence solution. Some countries appear to be more open to outsourcing their converged voice/data networks with Italy and Spain having a higher proportion of enterprises that either outsource now or would consider doing so in the future. Interestingly these two countries are also more likely to host their voice/data convergence solutions than some other markets.

Reasons to Purchase

Identify key geographies and vertical markets planning investments in voice/data convergence solutions over the next two years. Understand enterprises' outsourcing and deployment preferences with regard to convergence solutions. Appreciate who makes key investment decisions with regards to voice/data convergence solutions.

Content

Datamonitor View
Catalyst
Summary
Methodology
Analysis
- The outlook for investments in voice/data convergence technologies is positive
- Enterprises have been relatively slow in the uptake of voice/data convergence solutions
- Penetration is set to increase for all voice / data convergence technologies
- There will only be slight variations in growth between the different voice/data convergence technologies
- There is variation in the number of investments planned by vertical sector, geography and company size
- Voice/data convergence penetration is above 50% for all geographies
- The penetration of voice/data convergence solutions is set to increase in all the markets surveyed
- There is wide variation in current penetration across the vertical sectors
- with the exception of financial markets, industries with a low penetration will be investing the most in voice/data convergence solutions
- Typically larger enterprises have a higher penetration of voice/data convergence solutions
- Few enterprises made voice/data convergence their number one investment priority in 2006
- Enterprises in the media industry made the most large investments in voice/data convergence in 2006
- Enterprises prefer to deploy voice/data convergence solutions on-site
- 65% of enterprises prefer on-site deployment of voice/data convergence solutions
- Interestingly there is a slight tendency for smaller enterprises to prefer hosting of convergence technologies
- There are geographical differences in enterprises' approach to buying voice/data convergence solutions
- The number of enterprises who currently outsource voice/data convergence solutions is low
- Outsourcing varies by country
- The CEO and CIO are the most influential positions for making investment decisions about voice/data convergence
- The CIO is very likely to be involved in any investment decision relating to voice/data convergence
- Cisco has the highest degree of mindshare of the leading voice/data convergence solution vendors
- Mindshare is split between six large vendors
- SUMMARY: The penetration of voice/data convergence solutions should increase significantly over the next two years
Appendix
- Definitions
- Extended methodology
- Further reading
- Ask the analyst
- List of Tables
- Table 1: Which of the following do you currently have or use, and which would you prioritize for investment in the next 6 months? 2 years?
- Table 2: Which of the following do you currently have or use, and which would you prioritize for investment in the next 6 months? 2 years?
- Table 3: Do you currently have or use voice/data convergence technologies and would you consider investment in the next 6 months? 2 years?
- Table 4: Do you currently have or use voice/data convergence technologies or would you consider investment in the next 6 months? 2 years?
- Table 5: Do you currently have or use voice/data convergence solutions and would you consider investment in the next 6 months? 2 years?
- Table 6: Do you currently have or use voice/data convergence technologies or would you consider investment in the next 6 months? 2 years?
- Table 7: If you are planning to make voice/data convergence your single biggest IT project in budget year 2006, how much investment are you making?
- Table 8: What is your preferred approach to running voice/data convergence technologies?
- Table 9: What is your preferred approach to running voice/data convergence technologies?
- Table 10: What is your preferred approach to buying voice/data convergence technologies?
- Table 11: Do you outsource voice/data convergence now, or are you considering outsourcing in the next 6 months? 2 years?
- Table 12: Rank the 2 most influential positions in your organization when making investment decisions regarding voice/data convergence
- Table 13: Please pick a firm which you believe to be a 'leader' in voice/data convergence
List of Figures
- Figure 1: Messaging is the most popular voice / data convergence technology among enterprises
- Figure 2: Many investments are planned in IP-PBX technologies
- Figure 3: Enterprises in the UK and France have the highest deployment of voice/data convergence solutions
- Figure 4: The UK is leading the way in the deployment of voice/data convergence technologies
- Figure 5: Enterprises in financial markets industry are planning the most investments in voice/data convergence
- Figure 6: Penetration of voice/data convergence solutions is set to reach over 66% for all enterprise sizes in two years time
- Figure 7: The majority of investments planned in voice/data convergence are small in size
- Figure 8: The majority of geographies prefer to use on-site deployment of voice-data convergence solutions
- Figure 9: Smaller enterprises are slightly more likely to purchase convergence as a hosted service
- Figure 10: French enterprises are the most likely to purchase voice/data convergence solutions through a national reseller
- Figure 11: Italian and Spanish enterprises are the most receptive to outsourcing voice/data convergence technologies
- Figure 12: The CIO or CEO are the most influential positions for making investment decisions about voice/data convergence solutions
- Figure 13: 38% of enterprises believe Cisco to be the leader in voice/data convergence technologies