Bekker's Blog

Blog archive

So How Big Is This UC Opportunity?

Microsoft at last rolls out its unified communications opportunity, and partners might ask, "Just how big is it?" At this point, I don't know, and nobody else does either. But here are the numbers Microsoft is throwing around. I'll pass them along without endorsement.

In a published Q&A with some strategic partners, Microsoft pinned the total revenue opportunity of the unified communications market at $45 billion.

Jeff Raikes, president of the Microsoft Business Division, put it another way on Tuesday:

"For every dollar of Microsoft revenue on our unified communications products in 2008, our partners are going to add an additional $3 of value."

That estimate is not as eye-popping as the $18 in ecosystem revenues for every $1 Microsoft gets in Windows Vista sales, but it's a nice number nonetheless.

Posted by Scott Bekker on October 17, 2007


Featured

  • Microsoft Offers Support Extensions for Exchange 2016 and 2019

    Microsoft has introduced a paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program for on-premises Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, offering a crucial safety cushion as both versions near their Oct. 14, 2025 end-of-support date.

  • An image of planes flying around a globe

    2025 Microsoft Conference Calendar: For Partners, IT Pros and Developers

    Here's your guide to all the IT training sessions, partner meet-ups and annual Microsoft conferences you won't want to miss.

  • Notebook

    Microsoft Centers AI, Security and Partner Dogfooding at MCAPS

    Microsoft's second annual MCAPS for Partners event took place Tuesday, delivering a volley of updates and directives for its partners for fiscal 2026.

  • Microsoft Layoffs: AI Is the Obvious Elephant in the Room

    As Microsoft doubles down on an $80 billion bet on AI this fiscal year, its workforce reductions are drawing scrutiny over whether AI's ascent is quietly reshaping its human capital strategy, even as official messaging avoids drawing a direct line.