78% of Nortel Users: UC by 2010

This was one result of an independent survey of 800 Nortel customers.

Another interesting point is that 93% wanted Unified Communications (UC) to be closely integrated (not just bolted on) with their desktop environments, meaning predominantly Microsoft Outlook and IBM Lotus Notes.

This confirms our strategy of creating a unique Innovative Communications Alliance with Microsoft (almost 2 years ago and with over a million seat licenses), and integrating the Nortel Agile Communications Environment (ACE), our framework for Communications Enabled Applications, with Sametime and Lotus Notes under the Nortel-IBM alliance.

Another data point was the fact that 38% of respondents considered 'proven interoperability with existing IT investments' as one of their top three challenges. In many cases, this includes non-Nortel PBXs. We already have ACE interoperability with Cisco Call Managers, while Nortel professional services have the prerequisite skills and mandate to help customers meet this challenge.