When it comes to unified communication (UC) solutions this year, mobility is going to be one of the most important considerations, says Derick Roberts, CEO of wireless communications specialist TruTeq Devices, a company boasting Eskom and Telkom as clients.
“There will be a number of trends coming to the fore this year, including BYOD, tablets and mobile apps. These technology areas will define the growth and maturity in companies’ unified communications solutions,” he says.
Roberts says the growth in BYOD will continue, with a growing number of companies believing that there is actually an advantage in this new trend – and that it does not necessarily foul up company communications.
But there will be more talk surrounding this trend in terms of “reimbursement considerations” for users. But, warned Roberts, just how much companies can fund BYOD will depend on the economy.
”Right now, in South Africa, the economy is still on its back foot – so I doubt many local companies will be able to cover much of these costs at the moment. But it will remain a consideration.”
Commenting further, he says tablets will continue to sell like hot cakes, but there is a strong possibility that companies will witness a migration from the popular iPad to the use of lower cost Android tablets.
“This can be seen through the trends of even our Industrial Wireless Machine to Machine Customer Management Interface Solutions ranging from Simple almost hobbyist type Remote Telemetry Applications to demanding GSM Security Systems to complex Industrial Production, Systems and Process Control management solutions.
“Each, and all, managed from some or another Android Application accessed from mobile phones and tablets as tools to keep remote fingers on the pulse 24/7.”
Continuing, he says: “Apple is in for much stiffer competition this year. Sales of Apple iPads will be under attack. There is also the potential rise of the Windows Surface Pro hanging around in the wings.”
Whichever device gains in popularity there will be a “concerted attempt” to cut costs –and the growth in tablets will negatively affect the sale of laptops.
Another area of growth within the business landscape- and enterprise communications – will be mobile apps. Mobile apps will continue to grow and will provide higher-quality and more versatile apps for professionals straddling every industry.
“There will be a lot of action in the mobile apps market, with a big focus on business-enabling apps – as opposed to consumer ones.
“These apps will, more and more, consider collaboration – and will offer increased use of mobile devices, as well as lower costs for overall mobility strategies as companies aim to reduce their in-house development efforts and look, instead at what workable apps are out there in the commercial market.
” Mobile apps and devices will continue to be key and mobile unified communications efforts are definitely going to be the key focus in order to improve the flexibility and productivity of workforces.
“We can testify that the uptake in our Remote Device Management Software has never enjoyed the attention it has since the introduction of the “Mobi App” version. What was an industrial, almost SCADA type solution traditionally, has now turned to funky bagging right of accessibility for notification, switching, control and management of remote equipment and processes,” says Roberts.
