Workforce Mobilization is a Driving Force

By 2017 the world enterprise softphones market is expected to be worth over $217 million, representing unit shipments of over 2.9 million, according to a new report available on companiesandmarkets.com. This robust growth forecast is supported by growing demand from smaller businesses and an increasingly mobile and remote workforce adopting VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) network research.

PC or laptop

Softphones run through a PC or laptop and allow the user to conduct calls over the internet. The innovation represents a convenient and efficient method for communication, particularly when the user is required to input data into a computer, and is in short becoming increasingly common in call center environments Softphones as well allow users to make overseas calls at a fraction of the cost of a traditional network call.

At present, softphones do not represent a strong threat to mobile communication devices or landlines, nevertheless the market is increasing as a result of the growing global interest and availability of VoIP. The competitive nature of the telecommunications industry is forcing down prices, and by incorporating value-added features into their offerings, VoIP operators are attracting residential as so then as business clients.

Innovation and technological developments are paramount for gaining competitive edge in the softphones market, and an important new trend is for HD video softphones.

The US is the largest market for enterprise softphones

The US is the largest market for enterprise softphones, though it is the Asia-Pacific enterprise softphone market which is experiencing most rapid growth, at 19% CAGR by volume, over the reporting period.

The report profiles over 50 key players in the enterprise softphone industry, including: Avaya Inc, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, Broadview Networks Inc, CounterPath Corporation, JAJAH Inc, magicJack VocalTec Ltd, QiiQ Communications Inc, Skype Limited and Wise Communication Solutions, Ltd.

The August 2011 enterprise softphones innovation report contains 386 pages of insight into the market for the period 2009-2017. The market is split by key world geographies: US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Rest of World. Strategies, trends, new products and key players are reviewed in full within the study.