Unified communications is making it increasingly easy for workers to accomplish their duties via mobile device. Whether using a hosted VoIP PBX, another form of business VoIP, or some other service supporting a UC device, the sheer size of the predicted mobile worker base is astounding.
IDC supplied the following information in a recent statement. Essentially, mobile workers are predicted to reach a shocking 1.2 billion by the end of 2010. But be careful to pay attention to the regional growth.
The driving force behind the growth is the emerging markets of Asia/Pacific and the regions use of unified communications (UC) technologies. According to the analysts, the mobile workforces in the U.S. and Europe have peaked. The U.S. is described as having a highly concentrated mobile workforce, but that by 2013 over 75 percent of workers will be described as mobile in some way-that’s 129 million people. Compare that to Asia/Pacific figures, and you’ll see why IDC is saying the real action won’t be in the U.S. By 2013, about 37 percent of Asia/Pacific workers will be described as mobile, and before you say that percentage sounds smaller, it is actually 734.5 million people!
So as we can see, this growth can largely be attributed to Asia/Pacific markets adoption and utilization of smart mobile devices. The report also states that United States and European markets have matured in this regard.
I believe this synopsis to be true, U.S. and European markets have most likely matured to a point where many people already have a unified communications device. I believe the U.S. and Europe will see future growth in the mobile UC worker base but adoption will most likely slow simply due to the already extensive expansion. However, this does not mean that potential does not exist for new, and better, devices to hit the market and gain sales. Look at what the iPhone did when it hit the streets; it created an entirely new demand. This just means that tons of people in the U.S. and Europe are already working with mobile devices, I know I am…
It is important here not to confuse unified communications with hosted VoIP PBX and business VoIP. While hosted VoIP is a part of unified communications, the markets in this instance are largely separate. This report is discussing mobile workers booming in Asia/Pacific and maturing in U.S. and Europe, but it is not commenting on the services that will be supporting those mobile workers. As we know from past reports, the forecast for the VoIP market is excellent.
When it all comes down to it, what does this all mean? Well, it means that in the Asia/Pacific about 734.5 million people will be working from mobile devices by 2013. It also means that by 2013 over 75 percent of U.S. workers (or 129 million people) will be described as mobile in some way. Overall, the report is only confirming what we already know. As time progresses, we will be able to get more accomplished from our mobile devices, and professionals will take advantage of this.
As a Marketing Communications Manager at FreedomVOICE, John E Lincoln is responsible for educating consumers about the tremendous benefits that hosted VoIP has to offer. This includes cost savings, productivity increasing features, unique support for remote workers, and more. Find out more about FreedomIQ and hosted VoIP at the FreedomIQ website (http://www.freedomiq.com).
Author: John E Lincoln
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Digital economy, mobile technology
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