Microsoft's Skype buy could boost unified communications

11.05.2011

While Polycom said it was pleased by the Skype acquisition, other UC vendors like Avaya , Mitel and NEC could be disrupted, said Steve Hilton, an analyst at Analysys Mason. Although some analysts said , another major UC player, Cisco, has also been left out of the equation.

Hilton noted that while Skype does have a business-grade product "it is still a consumer-grade solution [and] enterprises don't want low-quality communications services when dealing with customers."

Hilton said technology for business users, but questioned whether that partnership has yielded much success for Avaya.

Matt Hamblen covers mobile and wireless, smartphones and other handhelds, and wireless networking for Computerworld. Follow Matt on Twitter at or subscribe to . His e-mail address is .

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