“Given the current trend we are expecting an average growth at a CAGR of around 10% for the next 2-3 years. We've already seen that in 2007 the IP PBX line shipments have overtaken the Time division Multiplexing (TDM) PBX systems sold in the SMB market.
SMB customers generally want to have one affordable network in place that handles voice and data communications and helps their businesses to drive productivity while keeping their IT costs down. The combination of both is driving the adoption of Unified Communications applications that are further improving the user experience and providing access to integrated applications through the utilization of IP telephony.
The customers expect the ‘All-in-One’ network to not only to provide mobility, security and messaging but also remote management as the businesses continue to outsource everything that is not part of their core business.”
Mitchell believes that customers have come to expect 99.999% availability of their phone system so Avaya is keeping a close eye on the adoption of services which offer integration between the desktop and mobile clients giving them access to voice and e-mail.
“There is great technology out there but to ensure customers recap long term rewards open standards and plug and play are the key. For example, with the IP Office PhoneManager Pro, Avaya provides its customers with an out-the-box application that allows complete control of telephone functions as well as integration into contact management applications such as Outlook or Lotus Notes.
Avaya's SMB resellers and channel partners especially value the 'Mobile Twinning" and ‘IP Office SoftPhone’ application that helps them to cost effectively address mobility demands of their customers.
Mobile Twinning allows a user to combine their office desktop phone with an external device such as their mobile phone. The Avaya IP Office SoftPhone allows customers to use a PC as a telephone by using VoIP services regardless of where they are. The users simply have to install the SoftPhone on their PC or LapTop to gain access to the full set of communication features they are accustomed to using in the office.