IMS for Enterprise Communication Emerging as a Contender, with Revenues of $1.2B through 2019

IMS has been around for a long time, and now that it gains traction with VoLTE, it becomes a viable solution for medium to large enterprise communications. Before 2013 there were various reasons preventing IMS from becoming an alternative to Unified Communication in the enterprise, reasons such as too bulky, costly, and complex. However, as IMS moves towards virtualization, the cloud, and datacenters, it is feasible it is to deploy in the enterprise.

ABI Research analyst Sabir Rafiq says, “IMS benefits from the Telcom VoLTE scale, but needs the IT economies of The Cloud to scale down for medium and large enterprise.”

The IMS method of deployment is transitioning from purpose-built native hardware, to virtualized IT hardware and cloud deployments, which will change the cost structure. Cloud deployment methods will reduce CapEx and OpEx, ultimately lowering prices and increasing deployments.Software pricing will also benefit, but will scale differently in the enterprise market than in the telecom markets.

Rafiq continues, “IMS has the potential to work across session control, call servers, APIs for enhanced network interaction, voice, video conferencing, and RCS to name a few, but in order for it to be successful, IMS needs to scale down for the enterprise.”

There are not many vendors who offer a comprehensive IMS solution for the enterprise. Alcatel-Lucent is leading the way with its IMS enterprise communication solution, although taking a cautious step into the market. Ericsson is also offering an IMS solution for the enterprise. Other vendors with IMS-like solutions include, but not limited to, Avaya and BroadSoft.

These findings are from ABI Research’s “IMS and Enterprise Communications” report and are part of the Telco API, Network Services and Monetization Market Research.

ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research’s worldwide team of experts advises thousands of decision makers through 70+ research and advisory services. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.