New Study Reveals Enterprises Moving Forward with Unified Communications Deployments

Session Border Controllers Expected to Play a Critical Role in Multi-Vendor Unified Communications Enterprise Environments

Key Takeaways:

• Report shows Unified Communications gaining significant traction in enterprise market
• There is considerable enterprise awareness and interest in Microsoft Lync as a platform for Unified Communications and enterprise voice
• Majority of deployments today are premises-based, but there is a clear trend towards Cloud-based deployments for both Unified Communications and enterprise voice
• A surge in demand for session border controllers is anticipated, given the security and interworking requirements in SIP-based network architectures

WESTFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sonus Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: SONS), a global leader in SIP communications, today released the results of a new report indicating that the market outlook for enterprise Unified Communications remains strong, fueled in part by enterprises equipped with a higher degree of understanding about the technologies available, potential applications and business gains.

“Enterprises Place 2013 Unified Communications Bets: How Many Horses in This Race?”

The report, “Enterprises Place 2013 Unified Communications Bets: How Many Horses in This Race?” was commissioned by Sonus and conducted by the independent Webtorials Editorial and Analyst Division. Webtorials surveyed more than 200 enterprise IT professionals to determine their interest in Unified Communications, levels of deployment and drivers for adoption, with a particular focus on Microsoft Lync.

Key findings of the report include:

• Seventy-eight percent of respondents had either partially or fully deployed Unified Communications solutions; most of the remaining respondents were or would soon be in the planning phase
• Currently, 65 percent of Unified Communications deployments are premises-based, but that number is expected to decline to 31 percent as future deployments move more to the Cloud. Hybrid deployments are the preferred approach to Unified Communications in the future.
• Customer premises-based solutions for SBC functions are currently and will continue to dominate, although a slight shift to hybrid with solutions by service providers is expected as the reach of these solutions becomes more all-encompassing. Regardless of how SBCs are acquired, their role in UC deployments should bode well for standards-based SBC manufacturers.
• When asked about the most important factors in the selection of Unified Communications suppliers, “enterprise voice” led the way, followed by “unified messaging” and “mobile clients for smartphones and tablets.” Surprisingly, “desktop video conferencing” beat “room size video conferencing” two to one, and “web conferencing” rounded out the top five.
• Going forward, it appears that Cisco and Microsoft’s shares of the Unified Communications market will increase at the expense of the other IP PBX vendors. Cisco held a clear lead for enterprise voice, video teleconferencing and web meetings, while Microsoft was cited more often for IM, presence and enterprise social functions like internal corporate user profiles, directories and skills search.

Quotes:

“Unified Communications has clearly taken hold in the enterprise and it continues to evolve,” said Steve Taylor, editor-in-chief and publisher for Webtorials. “There are new trends gaining traction, such as the shift from room systems to desktop video, the growing focus on hybrid clouds and changes in the positions of the lead horses or vendors. Since there isn’t a dominant vendor in the market, interoperability – both within the enterprise and for intercompany communications – will be a key factor.”

“This latest Webtorials report provides great insight into the state of the enterprise Unified Communications market, outlining the opportunities and challenges that companies face as they implement technologies that can help dramatically increase employee productivity and customer satisfaction,” said Wes Durow, vice president of global marketing & go-to-market operations at Sonus. “As enterprise deployment of Unified Communications grows, SBCs play an increasing critical role in helping companies overcome interoperability, service quality and security challenges often faced when implementing multi-vendor Internet protocol (IP) networks.”

Additional Resources:

• Download the complete Webtorials report, “Enterprises Place 2013 Unified Communications Bets: How Many Horses in This Race?”
• Download Sonus’ December 2012 Webtorials report: “Mobile Unified Communications: The Emergence of 4D Convergence”
• Sonus recently published the second edition of the Session Management For Dummies reference book in partnership with John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Download a free copy here.

Tags/Keywords:

Sonus, SONS, Webtorials, Unified Communications, UC, SIP, session management, cost savings, employee productivity, smartphones, tablets, savings report, study, trends, session border controller, SBC, Microsoft Lync

About Sonus Networks:

Sonus helps the world's leading communications service providers and enterprises embrace the next generation of SIP-based solutions including VoIP, video and Unified Communications through secure, reliable and scalable IP networks. With customers around the globe and 15 years of experience transforming networks to IP, Sonus has enabled service providers and enterprises to capture and retain users and generate significant ROI. Sonus products include session border controllers, policy/routing servers, subscriber feature servers and media and signaling gateways. Sonus products are supported by a global services team with experience in design, deployment and maintenance of some of the world's largest and most complex IP networks. For more information, visit www.sonus.net or call 1-855-GO-SONUS.

Important Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

The information in this release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Although Sonus believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this report are forward-looking statements. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with Sonus’ business, please refer to the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” sections of Sonus’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements represent Sonus' views only as of the date on which such statement is made, and should not be relied upon as representing Sonus' views as of any subsequent date. While Sonus may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point, Sonus specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by law.