Monthly Archive

Are you always the last to hear office gossip? Always seem to stumble over what-seemed-to-be good ideas in business meetings?  Do work associates make jokes about your tie (“it’s just too trendy for them, right?”)?  Well, now it’s your chance to be part of the in-crowd with BroadSoft’s Trend Watch 2011 report.  Be the first to know what’s hip, what’s fresh, and what the great ideas are before they happen, as the worldwide leader and innovator of IP technology hands you a sneak-peak into what we think the telecommunication “do’s” of 2011 will be.

Do’s (2011) versus Don’t (2010):

• The Connected Consumer vs. The Mobile Consumer

Tablets and smartphones were on everyone’s hot list this holiday season.  As we wind our way through 2011, we believe emerging devices will proliferate across the realm of operating systems- offering utilitarian technology benefits in speed and performance as mobile platforms battle.  Whether reading an e-book, listening to a family member’s music playlist, or getting directions, we expect trendy consumers will not only seek out these mobile devices –they will find a seamless connection between their connected devices a must-have for 2011.

• Business Applications vs. Consumer Applications

On average, the U.S. downloaded about 3 million of the top 300 apps per day in December.  In our view, 2011 will continue to be a year of mobile app craze; however, businesses will quickly become the new consumer. Already one of the fastest growing categories in the App Store, the business app category was up (+186%) in 2010, according to Distimo.  We expect to see “in” service providers catching onto the craze by offering value-added applications for every business’s both niche and universal needs, such as: Productivity apps, Communication & Collaboration, CRM, Mobility, Business Process Integration (Act!, Lotus Notes, etc), and more.

Watch how:

• HD Video Conferencing vs. The Traditional IP Deskphone

Did you just click through your in-box as you talked to your business partner over the phone?  That’s so 2010! Offering a cost-effective method to add value to your communications experience, we anticipate that truly trendy businesses and consumers will use HD video from the cloud in 2011.  Offering an always-on virtual bridge, trend setters connect to business prospects, partners, and peers in HD Video from the cloud — a must for 2011 for the rich communications experience everyone deserves.  Apart from this new staple, consumers have also caught wind of the trend and are using the up-and-coming technology to stay in touch with relatives and friends with family center.

2011’s Hit or Miss: UC from the Cloud

If you were on the fence in 2010, you’re already on the “miss” list as the New Year begins.  We see hip businesses – large and small –taking advantages of UC services from the cloud in 2011.  While even water-cooler dropouts are mostly likely “in” on the productivity and economic benefits of UC, we expect those service providers in-the-know to offer a continuation of UC perks for business offerings this year plus, now, the advantages of the new BroadCloud offerings.   These include HD video, web-based collaboration, integrated message & presence features, and VoIP management solutions for the forward-looking service provider who can offer always on, effective communication services.

Don’t be a victim of the trend police this year.  Follow the advice in this Trend Watch report and subscribe to this blog roll for continued in-the-know news, opinion, and advice on the latest in communication technology.  Have something to add to the list?  Disagree with a trend?  Let us know below.