Technology’s Role in Creating a Viable Next Generation Workplace

Within the UC&C trend are two ‘sub-trends’ we’re seeing that are playing important roles in addressing these challenges:

Software-Based Video Conferencing Solutions. Video conferencing has traditionally been a hardware-centric technology solution. Over the past few years, however, there has been a very noteworthy shift in interest and demand for software and services-based solutions. This new model is giving customers more options, more flexibility, and cost savings with regard to how they implement and consume video communications. The downside to this trend is that the multitude of available services creates confusion in the market, making the investigation and procurement process longer and more difficult for decision makers.

One of the technology enablers behind software-based video conferencing is virtualization technology, which allows software-based components to be deployed more cost effectively. For example, you can put your video management layer, Session Border Controller, and gateway/gatekeeping services on the same physical server rather than using a dedicated device for each component.

Another enabler of the software-based video conferencing trend is the wider adoption of standards-based protocols such as SIP, H.264, and WebRTC. This is what allows end users to mix-and-match across different video conferencing vendors and brands, and across different endpoint types and networks. By deploying software-based solutions, customers can more easily ensure that new mobile solutions can integrate seamlessly with existing room-based and executive video conferencing systems.

VaaS (Video-as-a-Service). One of the main benefits of virtualization has been a migration to hosted and cloud-based video communications. Rather than owning a solution, businesses are becoming more comfortable paying a cloud or video managed services provider a subscription fee and consuming video as a service. VaaS protects organizations against technology obsolescence as well as the ongoing costs of upgrades, maintenance, and repairs. Frost & Sullivan projects the hosted and cloud-based video conferencing model will continue to grow at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 25% between 2014 and the end of this year.

In my next blog, I’ll take a look at another critical component of the next generation workplace, the work environment. Specifically, I’ll discuss the role of activity-driven workspaces and physical spaces, how they are evolving, and show how they contribute to collaboration, productivity, and workplace flexibility.