Meet BroadSoft on Your Next Travel Destination

April 12, 2013 in BroadSoft, Unified Communication | by | Leave a comment

We hope you had the chance to visit us at Enterprise Connect this year in Florida, where BroadSoft introduced UC-One™ IMS!  UC-One™ IMS separates communication devices from service subscriptions for enterprises. While providing a comprehensive fixed-mobile convergence solution, UC-One™ IMS enables mobile operators to broadly enter the higher margin enterprise market segment by providing a single subscription for an employee’s Unified Communication needs.

As a result, UC-One IMS delivers several benefits to the enterprise:

If you did not have the chance to meet with us in Florida, please check-out our events page for an updated list of where you can hear more about BroadSoft and UC-One™ IMS.

We look forward to meeting you at:

Feel free to Contact Us as well for more information at anytime or any location.

From the Desk of the CEO

March 27, 2013 in UC-One, Unified Communication, voip | Tags: | by | Leave a comment

CEO of BroadSoft, Michael Tessler, sits-down to discuss, what he believes, is the “most strategic initiative in BroadSoft’s history”.  This podcast captures Tessler’s thoughts on BroadSoft’s newest solution – a comprehensive platform that brings together all of our Unified Communication elements, including user experience, mobility, openness and go-to-market support.  Enjoy the listen to find out more! 

And be sure to you’re following and commenting on our LinkedIn Group, on Twitter, or on Facebook, for the latest news and answers.

UC-One IMS powers a seamless mobile user experience

March 25, 2013 in UC-One, Unified Communication, voip | by | Leave a comment

We have all been waiting for the promise of fixed-mobile convergence.  UC-One™ IMS moves this often over used term, beyond simple call forwarding, to a solution that dissolves the boundaries between communications services, devices, and the number of people who can enter and exit a conversation with just a click of the mouse. The advance capabilities of IMS, combined with the desire by employees and enterprises for mobile unified communications, is a tremendous opportunity for mobile network operators — a $10B revenue opportunity, as a matter of fact, according to Infonetics.

From a user experience standpoint, UC-One™ IMS enables the seamless movement between services, devices and the addition of others to a conversation.  Enabling employees with the freedom to work from anywhere, on any device, UC-One™ IMS provides employees with access to all of their Unified Communications services, from: a laptop computer, mobile or smartphone, tablet, desktop computer or desk phone. By separating communication devices from service subscriptions, the benefits to enterprises are substantial, including: significantly lowering telecommunications costs and simplifying enterprise management of UC services.

By forgoing the power of fixed-mobile convergence, Mobile Network Operators may also be missing out on a very real opportunity. Leveraging an IMS architectural framework, LTE networks and VoLTE, UC-One™ IMS enables mobile operators to enter the higher margin mobile UC market and to offer a truly superior communication experience.  UC-One™ IMS offers several advantages for innovative Mobile Operators, some of which include:

By offering UC ahead of LTE, BroadSoft believes UC will be the first applications of volume over LTE – an evident step in this unbending trend of seamless communication technology.

BroadSoft has and will always ensure the multiple layers of seamless UC services: that of the end user communication experience and the ability to manage such an experience.  To me, it seems astonishing, only a few years ago, it was standard practice for an employee to pick-up two separate devices to call or text for work or pleasure.

Now, it’s your turn to change the experience again.

Demand for Unified Communication services is outpacing supply – how can we let this happen?

March 21, 2013 in Mobile, UC-One, Unified Communication, voip | by | Leave a comment

Invited to speak on the Hosted Unified Communications: A Driver for M&A Activity panel this past week at Comptel, I was dumbfounded by a statistic our moderator, Gerry DeHaven, a partner with Q Advisors LLC, presented: demand for hosted Unified Communications services is outpacing supply.  A recent study by Techaisle, a global IT SMB market research and industry analyst organization, reveals that SMBs are finding and reporting shortages in cloud solutions, including Web conferencing, video conferencing, Hosted VoIP and audio conferencing.  We should be astonished.  Enterprises are demanding modern communication services and cannot find providers!  This is a huge market opportunity that should not be missed.

Picture1

[1] Red bars indicate a gap shown by a higher percentage of SMBs asking for solutions than current offerings, creating shortage and opportunity.

Evidence for the unwavering movement by enterprises, small and large, to cloud services continues to escalate.  Enterprises have embraced the operational and expense benefits of cloud services and are evaluating cloud models for all services:

  • Gartner predicts the global public cloud computing market will grow 18.5% in 2013 to $131 billion, up from $111 billion last year.
  • Juniper Research similarly finds annual revenues from cloud-based mobile applications will grow to reach nearly $9.5 billion by 2014, fueled by the need for converged, collaborative services, the widespread adoption of mobile broadband services and the deployment of key technological enablers.

And for the telecommunications industry specifically:

  • Infonetics forecasts the Hosted VoIP & UC market to reach $10B by 2016.[2] 

Such unmet demand creates a strong opportunity for Service Providers who provide a comprehensive Unified Communications solution.  Service providers need to pick up the pace of their UC services deployment beyond voice and become the single source solution for businesses of all sizes, including SMBs.  My fear is the already large UC cloud solution gap will continue to include mobile Unified Communications. I hope this does not become a reality.

BroadSoft’s UC One™ is the only platform designed specifically for service providers, enabling them to offer comprehensive Unified Communications solutions that meet the needs of the market segments they serve.  As Service Providers adopt and offer comprehensive offerings, solutions such as UC-One will help us all close the supply gap for hosted Unified Communications services.

[1] QAdvisors. (2013, March). In  Gerry DeHaven (Moderator).  Hosted unified communications: A driver for M&Aa activity. Presentation Delivered at M&A COMPTEL PLUS Spring 2013 Las Vegas Comptel plus.

[2] Infonetics Research VoIP and UC Services and Subscriber Market Forecast 2012

LTE Helps Mobile Network Operators Meet Efficiency Demands

February 20, 2013 in LTE, Mobile, UC-One, Unified Communication | Tags: , | by | Leave a comment

Nearing the New Mobile Horizon, as coined by this year’s MWC theme, we are seeing a change in the mobile workforce.  Regardless of the type of job, organization, or industry, the question becomes – how can the user become more efficient?  Far more than simply a question of communication capabilities, the efficiency dilemma saturates every part of our workforce society – from communication integration to the demand for real-time information.  Recently, I connected with RCR Wireless News’ Roberta Prescott to discuss how this communication efficiency demand, in combination with LTE, is generating new revenue opportunities for Mobile Network Operators.  I would love to hear your feedback @BroadSoftNews.

A Prescription for Communication Frustrations

February 8, 2013 in Mobile, Unified Communication, voip | Tags: , , , , | by | Leave a comment

Despite a growing awareness of Unified Communication (UC) capabilities, BroadSoft’s research points to the need to promote the benefits of UC services.  LTE networks combined with mobile UC services will continue to provide innovative possibilities; however, we believe demand will grow by connecting these capabilities to their benefits.  Finding many users are facing non-real time communication frustrations, and are currently seeking remedies for such challenges, we believe Service Providers should assume a role similar to a health care provider to appeal to the frustrated user.  By assessing individual communication challenges or “illnesses”, Service Providers can prescribe custom UC prescriptions to eliminate communication frustrations and describe the benefits of a healthy UC user.

When I’m feeling sad, I simply remember the things that I need… And then I don’t feel so bad…

Whether prescribing a solution for Sally the teleworker or Phil the Plumber, a Service Provider should be able to address the pain points of an organization and showcase how a UC solution will remedy unique frustrations and create a healthier business.  The same research points to universal communication pain points; the top three frustrations are cited as:

  1. Waiting on information (78%);
  2. Locating and contacting someone (69%); and
  3. Email is an ineffective communications tool (58%).

Rather than continuing to work harder than a gopher in hard dirt, as “Dr. Phil” explains, 76% of communication users in our survey results cite they would be “very keen” or “somewhat keen” to adopt UC solutions.

As the industry draws closer to Mobile World Congress, and as we often focus on the capabilities of mobile communications, let us also remember the importance of excellent customer care.  Such care, we believe, is made possible through individualized messaging – describing how today’s solutions will benefit employees in increasing individual efficiency, effectiveness, and reachability concerns.

For more on BroadSoft’s most recent research, please see our white paper here: http://broadsoft.com/pdf/whitepaper-what-users-want.pdf

Unified Communications & LTE – The New Mobile Horizon

February 6, 2013 in Mobile, Reports, Unified Communication | Tags: , , , , | by | Leave a comment

Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2013 is aptly themed the New Mobile Horizon.  With the growing global mobile workplace, workers are frustrated with communication options that have not caught up to an expected real-time environment.  From email to voicemail, “everyday” business users want their communications technology to improve to match real-time expectations and a unified experience..  Such frustrations present an opportunity for mobile network operators to monetize investments in LTE networks through the delivery of mobile Unified Communications (UC).  If mobile network operators take advantage of the impressive combination of LTE networks and mobile UC, we believe they will help the sun quickly rise to a new mobile horizon.

BroadSoft’s most recent research, a survey of more than 700 users across the U.S., Europe and multiple industries, highlighted this growing demand for mobile UC.  Focusing on “everyday” business users’ attitudes towards various communications technologies, the research found top three universal frustrations, including:

  1. Waiting on information (78%);
  2. Locating and contacting someone (69%); and
  3. Email as an ineffective communications tool (58%).

The research results also indicated a strong desire for tightly integrated mobile unified communications (UC), with 76% of respondents stating they would be “very keen” or “somewhat keen” to adopt UC solutions.  For more on the research findings, please visit: Unified Communications: What Users Want.    

Providers are already looking to the opportunities of the New Mobile Horizon to deliver mobile UC solutions.  Whether though instant messaging and presence, Web collaboration or additional solutions, providers can meet customized user needs based on specific frustration(s) through mobile UC solutions.  For example, watch as a consultant, rarely in his office, uses a mobile UC solution called UC One.

UC One allows the user to keep connected to colleagues and clients and juggle multiple clients’ needs while roaming from site to site, all on his mobile devices.

While the frustrations of end users are seemingly endless, the possibilities of LTE and mobile UC are limitless and will forever change the mobile landscape.

For more information on User Frustrations, Mobile UC, and LTE please visit and share the following resources:

Four Steps to Monetizing 4G LTE Services

January 14, 2013 in Mobile, Unified Communication | Tags: , , , , | by | Leave a comment

A 2012 survey by research firm Informa finds that 70% of global operators believe 4G services should be launched now, meaning Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have a small, but closing, window of opportunity to be the provider of choice for communication services- including mobile video calling, instant messaging and presence, and Web collaboration.  Mobile operators must start the process of monetizing Long Term Evolution (LTE) today.

Recently, Forbes’s published my outline on four key ways to monetize the LTE opportunity:

1.     Speed is sexy, but applications drive revenue

Mobile operators need to extend beyond marketing campaigns that focus exclusively on faster speeds in order to generate the business case for higher monthly charges. Read more.

2.    Own the user experience

Compared to Over-the-Top (OTT) providers tied to specific applications (i.e., Skype calling) and devices, mobile operators, with ownership of the network, are well positioned to provide end-users with one identity and mobility across the devices. Read more.

3.    Meet exploding bandwidth requirements

LTE delivers the cost-effective bandwidth that enables mobile operators to realize economies of scale required to drive down the rising costs associated with delivering data over existing networks. Read more.

4.   Look beyond tried-and-true consumer segments

Compared to OTT providers, MNOs can more effectively ensure a carrier-grade quality of experience for end users of services suited for consumers but inadequate for the rigors of enterprise use. Read more.

By leveraging ownership of the network and the quality of service LTE enables, MNOs are well positioned to capitalize on a lucrative market; although, it is essential for MNOs to begin the LTE monetization process today in order to fully maximize the benefits and ensure emerging competitor segments do not strike first to unravel these efforts.

Read my full article here: http://bit.ly/MonetizeLTENow.

A BroadSoft Tradition Brings UC-One

January 9, 2013 in Connections, Mobile, UC-One, Unified Communication, voip | Tags: , , , , | by | Leave a comment

With the passing of another New Year, traditionally, many of us turn our thoughts forward – to opportunities and new resolutions to fulfill.  Each BroadSoft Connection’s reveal likewise announces a new market opportunity– although, this year, I felt our 10th anniversary event was especially meaningful with the announcement of UC-One™.  Announcing a growth opportunity for hosted communication services, UC-One signifies, not simply a transformation in business communications, but an opportunity to provide an innovative and superior experience to help you more easily meet your goals.

Scott Hoffpauir, BroadSoft's Chief Technology Officer at Connections 2012

Scott Hoffpauir, BroadSoft’s Chief Technology Officer at Connections 2012

Why is UC-One significant?  A 2012 Infonetics Research survey on enterprise plans for unified communications reveals that complexity has displaced cost as the leading barrier affecting UC deployment.  Also, when choosing a UC solution, 71% of respondents view mobile device integration as “very important.”  This landscape, fragmented by service providers, as well as communications silos for voice, video, text and collaboration, creates complexity and mobility that inhibits employee productivity.  The UC-One platform meets this productivity challenge through the integration of four key unified communications components (click for more information).

Many have agreed with me on the significance of this year’s reveal, including RCRWireless.  RCRWireless discussed the potential of UC-One as helping to serve, “Telecom operators [who] want to avoid becoming dumb pipe… [and] are looking for ways to increase their revenue with value-added services that complement their regular voice and data services”.   Dave Michels, UCStrategies’ UC Expert, independent industry analyst and consultant, also describes UC-One as:

 “An impressive move…a strong UC package that is as good or better than many premises-based solutions.…I expect it to do very well in the marketplace”.

With hosted VoIP and UC accounting for 30% of business voice in the third quarter of 2012(Source: Infonetics, VoIP and UC Services and Subscribers 1H12 ), UC-One stands to meet a large market in the New Year, while continuing to deliver user needs and gaining critical acceptance.  World Wide revenues of 3Q 2012 have increased over 12% for UC alone, fueled by “demands for tools to provide increased productivity and employee flexibility” (Infonetics, Enterprise UC, VoIP, TDM Equipment 3Q12).

UC-One’s announcement means it may be easier than ever to keep our business resolutions this year – Happy New Year to all connected to the BroadSoft family.

Interested in seeing a live demo?  Take a view from the front seat of Connections 2012.  In this live recording, meet Joe – the designer, as he discovers how UC-One works for him: .

For more information on UC-One, please visit: http://www.broadsoft.com/products/broadworks/uc-one/.

Jumping in the BYOD Pool: How Business Communicator Helps Users Play Well With Others

August 23, 2012 in BroadSoft | Tags: , , | by | 6 comments

BroadSoft’s Senior IT Director, Paul Locander, jokingly notes that all sorts of employee-owned devices “Macs, AirBooks, Minis, Commodore 64’s and Egyptian abacuses” float through the doors of BroadSoft’s Gaithersburg headquarters with the hope that the company’s IT department can and will support their use.  This desire eventually led to the institution of BroadSoft’s first BYOD policy.  For many employees across the globe, a BYOD policy appears as one of the few IT directives that allows “for fun”; however, IT departments instituting such policies have more than “fun” to think through in terms of providing an integrated user experience.  Luckily for Locander’s team, they just so happen to provide services on a leading core communications platform (hmm, which one could that be?).  BroadSoft’s BroadWorks platform has allowed our service providers, as well as our own employees, to leverage BroadSoft’s innovative Unified Communications applications such as the BroadTouch Business Communicator.   The BroadTouch Business Communicator  allows users a unified communications experience across a single, familiar interface, whether on one of their many personal or work-provided devices- Egyptian abacuses, or otherwise.

Although I now take for granted streamlined access to voice, video, instant messaging and presence applications through this single interface, service providers appreciate how easy it is to deploy BroadTouch Business Communicator by leveraging server side provisioning and licensing on BroadWorks.  BroadTouch Business Communicator meets the growing challenge of device overload by providing end-users with:

  • One Identity – Users have one identify across all services, voice, video and Instant Messaging & Presence.
  • Access from any device – Users can access all of their communications services from any device, including a desk phone, desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet.
  • Synchronized call logs, buddy lists and service settings – All communications preferences are stored in the cloud and synchronized with the client on login.
  • High definition voice and video – Voice and video calls are enhanced with the highest quality voice.
  • Move from device to device without interrupting calls – Users can start a call on their desk phone and seamlessly move to their mobile device.

End-users, such as myself, will enjoy the freedom to access their services from the device of their choice– whether they are on their work PC, their personal tablet, or at a client lunch on their smartphone.  Not to mention, BroadTouch Business Communicator works across nearly any platform including Windows, Mac, iOS and Android.

Wherever you fall on the communications use spectrum, BroudTouch Business Communicator is opening new business models for telecommunications service providers, delivering innovative benefits to evolving technology systems, and transforming the way individuals experience communications.  We hope you agree and help demonstrate to the world the power and benefits of BroadSoft’s superior communications services.

Selected as a finalist for the 2012 American Business Awards (ABA) in the Best New Product or Service of the Year category, BTBC’s Stevie Award success depends on your vote. 

Encourage those in your network to vote through August 29 and ensure a win.  

Thank you for your support!

Subscribe to BroadbandIgnite by Email

Authors

Michael Tessler

Michael Tessler on LinkedIn

http://broadbandignite.com/author/shoffpauir/ Scott Hoffpauir

Scott Hoffpauir on LinkedIn

http://broadbandignite.com/author/lferry/Leslie Ferry

Leslie Ferry on LinkedIn

Mike Wilkinson

Mike Wilkinson on LinkedIn

Curtis Hartmann

Curtis Hartmann on LinkedIn

  Paul Adams

Paul Adams on LinkedIn

Message from the Authors

Welcome to BroadbandIgnite, the voice of BroadSoft. BroadbandIgnite is designed to provide a forum that explores the world of broadband communications. There has been more change in the past 10 years than there has been in the first 100 year history of telephony. Through BroadbandIgnite, we will share our insights not only about the technology behind these changes, but the effect of these changes on the communications industry as a whole. Please visit often and share your thoughts, questions and feedback.

Stay Informed

icn_twitter icn_rss icn_newsletter icn_linkedin icn_facebook


Tell a Friend

Bookmark and Share

Categories

May 2013
M T W T F S S
« Apr    
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  

Follow BroadSoft on Twitter

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

%d bloggers like this: