Mobile Collaboration Will Finally Make UC a Success

Demand for mobile collaboration services that allow mobile business users to extend desktop applications to their smartphones and other wireless devices will also result in stronger uptake of unified communications (UC) products and services, as network operators and enterprises look to link mobile collaboration into the bigger connectivity picture, according to the latest report from Unstrung Insider.

"The key to mobile collaboration is for the user to stay connected to the resources they need and want, while moving between locations and networks," notes Denise Culver, research analyst with Unstrung Insider and author of the report. "In general, mobile collaboration users are more productive because they can be reached regardless of where they are, such as roaming or sitting at their desk with a phone and PC at arm's reach."

It is undeniable that mobile collaboration is becoming increasingly popular, and many vendors are researching ways to hop on board, Culver says. "Despite that the economy is creating some reticence in enterprises to employ new technologies, there are a number of trends emerging to indicate that mobile collaboration is on the uptake," she notes. "Because competition is picking up in mobile collaboration, many are looking at vertical markets and how they can best utilize their solutions."

Key findings of Mobile Collaboration: The Final Piece of the UC Puzzle include:

• Vendors believe that the integration of mobile into unified communications will finally bring widespread success to that industry
• Some hot applications for mobile collaboration include mobile presence, mobile IM, and the ability to turn mobile handsets into virtual PBXs
• Most target markets for mobile collaboration vendors remain vague, as vendors try to address every market with their solutions
• Healthcare and education will be the strongest verticals for mobile collaboration over the next 12 months
• Open-source solutions present both opportunities and challenges, as vendors seek to make their solutions stand out while focusing on the bottom line

Posted to the site on 9th April 2009