UC can cut SMB travel spend in 2010

Adopting unified communications (UC), including IP telephony solutions, is one way that smaller businesses can save money in 2010, IT PRO has said.

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) can cut travel costs by using web-based applications like VoIP solutions, according to the technology professionals' technology news and reviews hub.

UK SMBs reportedly fork out £2.5 billion a year on travel alone, but this spend can be reduced by using UC to conduct business online, face-to-face and in real-time.

Richard Goodwin of IT PRO wrote that "it seems fairly likely that UC will be a pretty significant business tool in the very near future".

UC adoption is likely to be driven by businesses looking to cut their travel in order to reduce environmental impact, as well as save money due to continuing economic uncertainty.

IT PRO listed UC as one of ten business technologies that SMBs can use in 2010 to reduce costs, improve efficiency and encourage growth.

UC, including VOIP phones, is being seen as a vital business tool more and more by IT planners, Nemertes Research recently told VoIP information website SearchVoIP.