Cost savings or predictable cost models are the most important reasons for IT managers to consider cloud-based telephony or unified communications, cited by 58% of respondents, followed by easier management at 42%. Only 4% of respondents said they are not considering a cloud-based approach.
The research, carried out with over 650 of the IT managers who attended VMWorld 2012 in Barcelona, reveals that 80% agree their organisation could benefit from telephony and UC in the cloud, compared to 68% surveyed at VMWorld 2011.
The research also reveals the extent of flexible working practices within organisations across the globe, with an 88% majority of IT managers saying they manage different working environments, such as home working, office locations and mobile workers. However, there appears to be a divide between the types of application that are accessible to employees from all working places. While 75% of IT managers offer access to business applications, only 42% offer access to UC applications and 39% to telephony from all different working environments.
Bas Baars, European Marketing Manager, Mitel, commented: “Work is fast becoming an activity and not a location, but our survey reveals a disconnect between access to business applications from anywhere, compared to access to telephony or UC apps. IT managers are clearly starting to recognise the flexibility and cost saving benefits that a cloud-based approach to communication can offer; by bringing UC apps to the virtual desktop, through our partnership with VMware, we can help companies to bridge this divide and enable employees to embrace new working practices.”