CAPE TOWN, South Africa, November 19 /PRNewswire/ --

IP-based technology offers businesses increased competitiveness by providing enhanced capabilities. While the high cost of IP-based infrastructure constrains growth in the South African market, the ongoing investment in telecommunications infrastructure will foster development in the IP PBX market in South Africa.

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New analysis from Frost Sullivan (http://www.enterprise.frost.com), Update on the South African IP/PBX Market, estimates that the market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 21.6 per cent between 2008 to 2014.

The global move to next-generation converged technology is pushing the adoption of IP services in South Africa, notes Frost Sullivan Research Analyst Mpho Moyo. Large corporations with multiple-branches nationally or internationally are adopting IP technology in order to leverage their business operations and focus on core competencies.

However, costly investments in legacy equipment are limiting the adoption of pure IP services. Thus, hybrid IP PBXs are more prominent in the market. The growth of the IP PBX market has been further constrained by the limited availability of broadband and personnel with a combination of IT and telecommunication skills to implement the systems.

As competition escalates, factors as such pricing, the uniqueness of services offered and the availability of skilled personnel become crucial, remarks Moyo. Customers demand high-quality products that are well priced and accompanied by adequate support.

Early entrants in the market providing a unique offering can gain significant market share. The provision of customer-oriented solutions and establishing strong relationships within the value chain will also strengthen customer loyalty.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users and other industry participants with an overview of the update on the South African IP/PBX market, then send an e-mail to Patrick Cairns, Corporate Communications, at patrick.cairns@frost.com with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company e-mail address, company website, city, state and country. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you by e-mail.

Update on the South African IP/PBX Market is part of the Enterprise Communications Growth Partnership Services Programme, which also includes research in the following markets: Analysis of African Fixed Telecommunications Service Providers' Capital Expenditure, Unified Messaging and Communications Market in South Africa and Strategic Overview of the South African Open Source Market. All research included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews with the press are available.

Frost Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, partners with clients to accelerate their growth. The company's TEAM Research, Growth Consulting and Growth Team Membership(TM) empower clients to create a growth-focused culture that generates, evaluates and implements effective growth strategies. Frost Sullivan employs over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 30 offices on six continents. For more information about Frost Sullivan's Growth Partnerships, visit http://www.frost.com.

Update on the South African IP/PBX Market M0B4 Contact: Patrick Cairns Corporate Communications - Africa P: +27-18-468-2315 E: patrick.cairns@frost.com http://www.frost.com

Patrick Cairns, Frost Sullivan Corporate Communications - Africa, +27-18-468-2315, patrick.cairns@frost.com; Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081117/FSLOGO