Unified Messaging Market Trends

Unified messaging products offer a single inbox that allows for the storage and retrieval of voice, fax, and email through a telephone or Web-interfacing PC. Growth of email, fax, and voice mail is driving the market for unified messaging, while the introduction of free services is promoting awareness and development of the market. At the same time, wireless Internet portal operators and application service providers (ASPs) are emerging as alternatives to standalone unified messaging packages. After years of unfulfilled promises, unified messaging is finally gaining acceptance as a means of increasing productivity and profitability. The market is poised for strong growth, with some industry analysts optimistically predicting that the overall unified messaging market for platforms, software, and carrier services will reach between $6 and $12 billion worldwide in 2005.