Unified messaging applications market generated $489.7 mln in 2003

According to IDC, revenue in the worldwide unified messaging applications market grew over 4% to $489.7 mln in 2003 as successful vendors supported growth among carrier customers and battled the sentiment that cell phones, PDAs, and services alone provide enough message management and unification for most users. IDC expects revenue from UM applications for both enterprises and service providers to further increase through 2008, with business users ultimately becoming the strongest market segment.