IT Expo Panel, Sep '09
Mobile UC @ IT Expo - Sep 3, 2009
Written by Peter Brockmann Thursday, 03 September 2009 09:32
Mobile UC Market Landscape Panel
Peter Brockmann moderated the panel on Mobile UC Market Landscape with Vivek Khullar CEO of Divitas, Andrew Silver CTO and Co-Founder of Tango Networks and Kevin Woods Director of Product Management of Avaya.
Thursday, September 3, 9:30-10:15 am (IP-02)
The pre-event synopsis of the panel:
The market for mobile unified communications is constantly changing, with vendors adding features and support for third-party systems. This session will delve into the current state of the market landscape, touching on the availability of features for mobile unified communications from an array of vendors each with unique target markets, channels and customers. The fact that customers have so many choices, even given one or more brand of telephony system suggests that the mobile unified communications application has in fact progressed to the point of consistently delivering capabilities that improve the productivity and security of mobile workers. Join this panel discussion to learn about the latest solutions available on the market and — more importantly — learn what questions you should be asking your mobile UC solution vendor before spending your hard-earned dollars implementing a solution.
Here's a short synopsis of what was presented:
- Vivek provided a short and candid overview of the DiVitas solution and where it is in the market lifecycle. He showed how the company has 90 customers and pilots supporting various IP PBX vendors.
- Andrew revealed the approach of the company's 2-server implementation that works with any mobile phone, but also engages the mobile operator in a meaningful way as part of the equation.
- Kevin showed Avaya's strategy of making mobile uc an entitlement for customers and described the company's experience with getting the one-X mobile client through the Apple App Store approval process. They had an experience not unlike Google Voice, but ended up getting the app approved before Google (which is still waiting). Kevin did refer to the Apple answer to the FCC which was most revealing to him in terms of Apple's speedy response and the candor of their desire and claim to protect the user experience with the phone functionality of the device. "At least Apple is consistent."