By its very nature, the internet is all about continual development and innovation. Understandably, however, not all businesses - and not all of their employees - find it easy to engage with new technologies.

In fact, independent research, commissioned by BT and Avaya, has found that small and medium size businesses in particular are increasingly facing demands for communication services that are influenced by age and personality.

The survey of more than 500 IT managers and business executives found almost two-thirds (62%) of respondents from generation Y (those aged under 35) were frustrated with the technology available at work.

This was significantly higher than among generation X (aged 35-50) where dissatisfaction dropped to 38%, and baby boomers (aged 50+) of whom 42% were unhappy.

Generation Y respondents were most convinced productivity would improve with better sharing tools. More than two-thirds (68%) said better collaboration would help them be more efficient, compared to just over half of workers from generation X (54%) and baby boomers (52%).

Almost two-thirds (62%) of respondents also said they want communications that suit their personality. Extroverts prefer face-to-face meetings and instant feedback so prefer to use video-conferencing, telephone and text. More introverted employees favour email, IM or conference calls.

Overall, better communication tools are seen by businesses as mission critical. With 60% of those polled expecting their businesses to grow in the coming year, more than three-quarters (78%) said better communications would make a big difference to business success.

Benefits of unified communications highlighted include streamlined communications process (67%), increased productivity (64%), better management (59%) and better end user experience (55%).

BT and Avaya are addressing many of these requirements with their Avaya IP Office collaboration software platform.Designed for small to mid-size businesses, this addresses the differing needs of employees, regardless of age or personality.

Part of the BT One Enterprise portfolio of Unified Communications and Collaboration solutions, Avaya IP Office is designed to deliver a seamless experience for voice, video, mobility, and collaboration services.

Above all, it offers built-in flexibility, which means IT departments can deliver the right features to the right employee ­- office, mobile or remote worker - providing access to the communication resources they each need to be as effective and productive out of the office as in.