ICT to ride with economic recovery in 2010: Avaya

Customer demand for information and communications technology (ICT) is predicted to surge with the expected recovery of the global economy this year, according to a survey by an enterprise communications systems company.

In the survey conducted by Avaya Asia Pacific, 64.6 per cent of the respondents, who were participants of the annual Avaya Asia Pacific Business Partner Conference, expect the jump in demand to occur before the end of 2010. Representatives from 20 countries attended the event.

Among the respondents, 37.3 per cent consider the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector as the biggest driver for the predicted growth in the next 12 months.

Of the Avaya channel partners polled, 40.5 per cent stated that their customers have chosen 'making selected investments in projects to drive productivity' as a key strategy over the next 12 months.

While 27.3 per cent see the financial services as the key sector to propel growth, 19.5 per cent bet on telecoms to drive the expansion.

Best opportunity

The survey also noted that 36.3 per cent of the respondents viewed unified communications as 'the best opportunity for 2010.'

On investments, 85 per cent of channel partner customers would want to extend and invest in existing systems this year.

On the other hand, 61.5 per cent of channel partners surveyed are considering new contact centre solutions to improve their own customer service capabilities.

Chee Heng Loon, Director, Channels, Avaya Asia Pacific perceived the positive sentiments expressed by the channel partners as good news for the company.

“We see a similar reaction from many of our customers following our merger with Nortel Enterprise Solutions in December 2009,” said Chee. “Avaya is well-positioned to strengthen our leadership in Asia Pacific.”