The promise of unified communications (UC) is under consideration by many CIOs. Often, the issue keeping them from taking action is the difficulty of proving ROI. However, there may be a way around that. Make the goal a matter of increasing collaboration with the enablement of rich communications as the means to support that outcome.
The measurement of returns is a key concern with any IT investment. The most noteworthy ROI publicly documented via UC is a reduction in travel created by video conferencing and telepresence. In fact, that has been a driving force for much of the adoption of UC to date. In order for CIOs to move from considering an increase of their investments in UC to taking action, they need to see tangible avenues for measuring ROI.
Unarguably, in a knowledge-based business environment, the need to improve worker productivity is growing. Whether due to less budget for new hires or the requirements to meet strategic company objectives, the need to do more with less is a refrain that continues into 2010.
As a result, companies need to address hindrances to productivity such as:
When companies enable collaboration for project teams, they are applying UC to an activity that can be measured; for instance, start and end dates, milestone goals, and deliverable requirements. If CIOs measure the ability of their company's teams to complete tasks and projects faster while delivering satisfying customer results - —instead of trying to measure returns based on the technology alone – they can prove the ROI of their investment in UC by turning their focus to collaboration as the goal.
The measurement of returns is a key concern with any IT investment. The most noteworthy ROI publicly documented via UC is a reduction in travel created by video conferencing and telepresence. In fact, that has been a driving force for much of the adoption of UC to date. In order for CIOs to move from considering an increase of their investments in UC to taking action, they need to see tangible avenues for measuring ROI.
Unarguably, in a knowledge-based business environment, the need to improve worker productivity is growing. Whether due to less budget for new hires or the requirements to meet strategic company objectives, the need to do more with less is a refrain that continues into 2010.
As a result, companies need to address hindrances to productivity such as:
- A lack of access to information and colleagues.
- Delays to decisions based on the ability to locate and connect with subject-matter experts.
- Limited participation by geographically dispersed or traveling team members.
When companies enable collaboration for project teams, they are applying UC to an activity that can be measured; for instance, start and end dates, milestone goals, and deliverable requirements. If CIOs measure the ability of their company's teams to complete tasks and projects faster while delivering satisfying customer results - —instead of trying to measure returns based on the technology alone – they can prove the ROI of their investment in UC by turning their focus to collaboration as the goal.
