Unified Communications Is Migrating to `The Cloud`, Says In-Stat

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(Business Wire)--
Unified communications is migrating to `the cloud`, as vendors begin positioning
it as a service rather than a product, reports In-Stat (http://www.in-stat.com).
Infrastructure providers like Cisco, Broadsoft, and Microsoft are now working
closely with providers of hosted VoIP services.

"Several flavors of unified communications are emerging from the `cloud,`" says
Dave Lemelin, In-Stat analyst. "There are versions that operate as a hybrid mix
of customer-owned equipment with managed/hosted services targeting mid-size
businesses, those that act as fully hosted offerings with smaller businesses in
mind, and those that are revamped broadband telephony services targeting SOHO
users."

Unified communications has yet to achieve its full potential. However, two
trends are poised to enhance the richness of unified communications:

1) SIP Trunking, now touted as a cost saving mechanism, will ultimately enable
the interconnection of unified communications islands.

2) The wireless industry`s evolution toward higher data rates is extending
unified communications to smartphones and other wireless data devices.

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

* As the world economy rebounds, so will unified communications with total
revenues (product + service) growing to $39.7 billion in 2013.
* Avaya, Cisco, and Nortel continue to trade places for the lead in the unified
messaging market, although Avaya will soon have the clear lead upon completion
of its Nortel acquisition.

The research,"Global Unified Communications Emerges from the
Cloud"(#IN0904352CT),covers the worldwide market for unified communications
(UC). It includes:

* Examination of market trends across market segments.
* Forecasts for products and services sold as part of a UC solution through
2013.
* 2008 and 1H 2009 messaging market end-user revenues.
* Profiles of managed/hosted unified communications providers: Alteva, Cbeyond,
Orange Business, Verizon Business, CallTower, Chinook Hosting, LightEdge,
Outsourcery, and Smoothstone.
* Analysis of an In-Stat survey of 1,000 US-based VoIP decision makers.

For a free sample of the report and more information, please contact a sales
representative: http://www.instat.com/sales.asp

To purchase it online, please visit:
http://www.instat.com/catalog/ecatalogue.asp?id=18

The price is$3,495 (US).

About In-Stat

In-Stat`s market intelligence combines technical, market and end-user research
and database models to analyze the Mobile Internet and Digital Entertainment
ecosystems. Our insights are derived from a deep understanding of technology
impacts, nearly 30 years of history in research and consulting, and direct
relationships with leading players in each of our core markets. In-Stat provides
its research through reports, annual subscriptions, consulting and advisory
services to inform critical decisions.

For In-Stat
David Lemelin, Senior Analyst, 480-609-4516
david.lemelin@reedbusiness.com
Elaine Potter, Marketing Coordinator, 480-483-4441
epotter@reedbusiness.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009