Vertical Communications announced today it has received the 2012 North American SMB Unified Communications Competitive Strategy Leadership Award from global market research firm Frost & Sullivan. The 2012 North American SMB Unified Communications Competitive Strategy Leadership Award is based on a stringent set of criteria that evaluates how various best-in-class companies across the globe manage growth, innovation and leadership. Benchmarks include the company's ability to leverage competitive intelligence, execute competitive strategy, affect market share, establish competitive brand positioning and influence customer satisfaction. Vertical's performance was appraised against competitors according to both quantitative and qualitative metrics specific to the Frost 7 Sullivan SMB unified communications market.