19 August 2008

According to a China Computerworld (CCW) Research study sponsored by Nortel, CIOs of Chinese manufacturing companies fully recognise the unprecedented, potential benefits unified communications (UC) offer businesses.

Of the almost 100 CIOs surveyed by CCW Research, nearly 74 per cent believe UC is essential for improving efficiency, while 64 per cent hailed its benefits in reducing the cost of employee communications. Generally, such cost savings are realised as UC breaks down the barriers across all forms of communications to help employees work more easily and effectively.

Manufacturing is one of the most competitive industries in the world, and unified communications is an excellent way for Chinese manufacturers to gain an edge over their rivals

Jackson Wu, president of Nortel Greater China “Manufacturers have traditionally relied on improvements in manufacturing technology to increase the profitability and efficiency of their manufacturing processes but today’s information-driven business environment requires improvements in people-driven processes as well,” said Haitao Guo, senior analyst and vice general manager of CCW Research. “Our findings show broad support for unified communications among Chinese manufacturers. Early adopters are already finding that it enhances their competitive position by enabling better collaboration amongst employees, partners, and customers no matter where they are located.”

Survey respondents were also asked what applications should be integrated with UC. The company’s basic communications software (spreadsheet, presentation and word processing package) was named by 62 per cent of CIOs, the corporate email system by 46 per cent, and mobile phones by 44 per cent. All such applications are supported by the Nortel and Microsoft Innovative Communications Alliance (ICA) solution, which brings together Nortel and Microsoft’s expertise in UC to produce a tightly integrated solution.

“Manufacturing is one of the most competitive industries in the world, and unified communications is an excellent way for Chinese manufacturers to gain an edge over their rivals,” said Jackson Wu, president of Nortel Greater China. “The results of this CCW Research study confirm broad interest in unified communications, and serve as a call to action for a sector that thrives on applying relevant new technologies. The ICA has taken the complexity out of unified communications, offering Chinese manufacturers a simple path to realising its benefits.”

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