Assessing the Impact of Voice Over IP on the SMB Sector

Publication Date	February 2007
Publisher	IDC
Product Type	Report
Pages	18
ISBN Number	not applicable
Product Code	IDC05111

Buy this product or for assistance call +44 20 7060 7474

PDF £3,850.00$6404 | €4309

FAX Order above formats by FAX

Summary

This study defines and analyzes the emergence of voice-over-IP (VoIP) services in Western Europe, and their current and future impact on the SMB sector. It focuses on the different forms of VoIP service, why VoIP is attractive to SMB customers, the kind of services that are already available, and the current and future plans of SMBs with regard to VoIP service adoption.

"The transition from legacy to IP-based voice solutions by companies in Europe is now inevitable," said Eric Owen, VP IDC EMEA Telecoms Research. "Cost savings is by far the main driver, particularly in the SMB environment, but small companies will now increasingly become aware of the additional benefits of VoIP systems, and this will be reflected in increased interest in more sophisticated solutions that are now available from service providers".

Content

IDC Opinion
In This Study
- Methodology
Situation Overview
- PC-Based Solutions
- VoBB (Voice over Broadband)
- IP PBX Deployment
- Managed IP PBX
- IP Trunking
- Hosted IP PBX
- Shared IP Centrex
- Hosted IP Voice Features
- Current VoIP Usage Among SMBs
  - A Reality Check: Case Studies of VoIP Deployments in the SMB Market
- Case Study 1: HSJ Accountants Case Study: A Pure IP PBX Deployment in a U.K. SMB
  - The Company
  - Challenges
  - Solution
  - Results
- Case Study 2: Hurra Communications Case Study: A Managed VoIP Solution in a German SMB
  - The Company
  - Challenges
  - Solution
  - Results
- IDC's Vertical Market Survey 2006  SMB Responses
- Table: Western Europe SMBs, Status of Adoption of a VoIP Solution by Company Size, Country and Vertical Market (% of Companies)
- Table: Western Europe SMBs, Type of VoIP Solution Currently in Use by the Organization by Company Size, Country, and Vertical Market (% of Companies)
Future Outlook
Table: Western Europe SMBs, Most Likely Type of VoIP Adoption in the Next 12 Months, by Company Size, Country, and Vertical Market (% of Companies)
Table: Western Europe SMBs, Key Benefits/Expected Benefits of a VoIP Solution by Company Size, Country, and Vertical Market (% of Companies)
Table: Western Europe SMBs, Key Obstacles to the Adoption of a VoIP Solution by Company Size, Country, and Vertical Market (% of Companies)
Essential Guidance
Learn More
- Related Research
- Synopsis