While I totally agree with F&S's focus on the UC Application Suite and the staged migration approach, I do think that the following quote in your article didn't receive quite enough attention:

"At the same time, there is a clear need for tight integration of voice with other UCaaS features as well as core business processes to ensure a seamless end-user experience."

Automation is something that traditional Service Providers have been focused on for some time and the Communications Enabled Business Processes (CEBP) is a big part of "agility" that organizations are looking for.

It's very clear that each industry has its own CEBP requirements and hence SPs can, with the right automation, ensure that they have the ability to differentiate by offering the best UC applications that are integrated to that industry's IT Systems (e.g. Higher Education - Learning Management Systems; Heath Providers - electronic medical record (EMR); Distribution Companies - CRM and ERP systems; etc.)

Service Providers who adopt the Cisco UC platform have the benefit of multiple 3rd party SP automation systems available today that lead in the CEBP space.