Avaya topped the most recent vendor matrix list of unified
communications vendors in a new analysis from ABI
Research that focused on the company’s channel relationships as one of the
criteria for ranking.
And Avaya’s efforts in terms of technology partnerships and
channel training in part provided the boost that got the company to the top of
the list.
“There has been real progress on the part of a number of
vendors when it comes to offering compelling unified communications products,”
says Vice President and Practice Director Stan Schatt in a statement.
“Avaya scored very high for its development of an ecosystem
that includes key technology partners and a well-trained channel. Its detailed UC
roadmap is encouraging because it suggests a continuing effort in this area.”
Schatt also notes, “IBM
and Siemens are examples of a new trend toward software-centric products that
offer open architectures with support for virtually all major competitors’
products.”
IBM
and Siemens Enterprise networks won the second and third spots in ABI
Research’s evaluation of worldwide unified communications vendors. NEC America
was fourth, and Cisco ranked fifth.
ABI
Research says that vendors are assessed on parameters of innovation and
implementation across several criteria.
Under innovation, ABI
Research looked at the breadth and depth of the unified communications channel
reached by each vendor, the characteristics of the unified communications mobility
on offer, each vendor’s technology partners, the cost of products, the range
and nature of professional services offered, and the range of the UC product
portfolio.
Channel performance was given a 15 percent weight in ABI’s
overall evaluation, and criteria included the number of resellers specializing
in UC, the global reach of the vendor, the mix of distributors for SMBs and
large enterprises, the strength of the service provider channel, UC
certifications for channel partners, and relative UC knowledge of channel
partners.
“Because UC is a complex set of technologies, a
knowledgeable channel of resellers is critical,” ABI
Research says in an introduction explaining its report. “Similarly key
technology partners are essential, since no single UC vendor has all the
necessary technology in-house.”
Under the implementation ABI
Research looked at UC solutions’ security features and their ratings; the UC
architectures offered by each vendor; and their scalability and degree of
interoperability. The firm also evaluated UC video and telepresence, UC
messaging, and UC IP telephony.
Messaging and Collaboration 
