The annual report, conducted by three senior Gartner analysts, looks at all vendors across the global market and selects the top vendors for inclusion in their self styled ‘magic quadrant’ matrix. The selection criterion is based primarily on “Ability to Execute” and “Completeness of Vision.” Additionally, a vendor must have significant sales, market and operational presence, demonstrable UC products and an ability to generate significant interest by leading client market segments. The report categorises TeleWare as visionary and states: “Consider this solution if you are interested in a cost-effective and comprehensive solution.”
“This is a major achievement for TeleWare and an independent validation of our strategy to provide a standards based intelligent communication platform,” comments Lesley Hansen, Group Marketing Director for TeleWare plc. “Over the last 2 years, we have expanded past our traditional UK markets into Europe and the Asia Pacific region as well as fledgling involvement in North America and we will continue to strengthen our channel to be able to deliver TeleWare solutions to a larger market as the demand for UC grows,” added Hansen.
Gartner defines Unified Communications as the ability to significantly improve the ways that individuals, groups and companies interact and perform. UC allows multiple communication channels to be coordinated. In some cases, separate servers may be consolidated, but more frequently, UC adds value to existing communications servers. Key technologies include IP- PBX, VoIP, presence, e-mail, audio and Web conferencing, voice mail, unified messaging and instant messaging (IM).
Although the 2006 report is heavily stacked with hardware vendors such as Cisco and Nortel, TeleWare is part of a growing contingent of software only vendors listed in the quadrant, which includes Microsoft and Oracle.
“”There is a definite shift towards software based solutions for delivery of Unified Communication and our roadmap for the coming year is focused on increasing our level of interoperability and integration with emerging standard based solutions such as Microsoft Live Communications Service and Lotus Notes Same Time. Integration with solutions such as Call Manager as well as Call Manager Express in native SIP builds upon our interoperability in TDM and first generation IP platforms and supports our ongoing commitment to open standards to provide our clients with the freedom to deploy UC without dependence to a particular hardware vendor.” Hansen adds.
The Magic Quadrant Report for 2006 believes that the UC market and its technology are maturing rapidly, but overall remain at an early stage. However, Gartner believes that many of the ‘early adopter’ issues are being ironed out and 2008 is set to be the year of mainstream adoption.