- Financial Services & Insurance (68%), Telecom / IT (38%) and Government (32%) – to continue as the verticals investing most in business communications solutions in 2012
- 90% predict a stronger year for their business in 2012 with 47% forecasting strong single digit or double digit growth
- Strongest growth in midsize and large national enterprises
- Customer service enhancements and productivity gains driving customer decisions
- New areas of focus for the channel include cloud, mid market, managed services
Avaya, a global provider of business communications and collaboration systems and services, today revealed a very positive outlook for the enterprise communications and collaboration industry across Asia Pacific, with the announcement of survey results from channel partners attending the annual Avaya Connect Asia Pacific Channel Partner Conference to kick off the company’s 2012 Financial Year.
The survey asked delegates prior to their arrival at the event in Bangkok to comment on the general business environment and trends they see across the Asia Pacific region for the communications and collaboration industry. In an overwhelmingly positive response, 90% are expecting business growth for themselves to continue in 2012 on the back of a strong 2011. More than half of those predicting growth said it would be in the ‘high single digit or even double digit range’ in the year ahead.
Over 200 selected individuals representing Avaya’s most strategic channel partner and distributor organizations from 15 countries and territories across the Asia Pacific region attended the event. Under the banner “Accelerating Growth: The Power of We™” - the event was designed to enable Avaya and its channel partners to address strategy, go to market models, new initiatives and common goals for the year ahead.
“In 2011 we saw business confidence returning in Asia Pacific in a big way, just as our channel partners had predicted this time last year” said François Lançon, President, Asia Pacific, Avaya. “Based on these results the market looks set to be buoyant for our business and that of our channel partners across APAC in 2012. We have built a very strong Avaya Connect channel partner community in this region, and our event recognized the achievements and support that community continues to provide in support of our customers across APAC,” he added.
FSI predicted to be biggest growth vertical
Among those surveyed, 68% named the Financial Services and Insurance (FSI) sector as one of the top two verticals likely to drive the highest growth in enterprise communication spend with them in 2012. In addition, 38% thought the Telecommunications and IT industry would be a key customer segment and 32% saw Government spending on communication technology remaining strong.
Midsize and large national enterprises to increase spend in 2012
37% of respondents saw midsize enterprises investing more with them in 2012, a 6 point increase over the previous year. A similar number thought that large national companies would drive investment. MNCs scored lower than previously, reflecting continued restraint for those operating on a global basis.
Customer service and productivity key to customer strategies
Technology investments that help drive customer service – and therefore support customer retention – remain high on the list of customer decision making criteria, along with solutions that will drive productivity enhancements for their business. The consumerization of IT – how to manage the multitude of devices and applications users demand in a corporate environment - and how best to leverage public and/or private cloud environments to enhance communication and information access also scored highly with respondents.
“Overall these results draw a close link between the needs and strategies of our mutual customers, the focus areas of our channel partners and the technology innovation which Avaya brings to the table,” commented Lançon. “Avaya is focused on driving success for our customers through business-focused collaboration and communication tools, and a people-centric approach to technology that drives both productivity and enhanced customer service capabilities.”
The survey was conducted by Avaya between October 13 and October 18, 2011 among 200+ strategic Avaya Connect channel partners registered for the 2012 Avaya Connect Asia Pacific Partner Conference.
About Avaya:
Avaya is a global provider of business collaboration and communications solutions, providing unified communications, contact centers, data solutions and related services to companies of all sizes around the world. For more information please visit www.avaya.com.
