‘We are not in the business of running data centres, we are in the business of...’
Sound familiar? This is a statement that we are hearing with increasing frequency from our customers. Today, the focus for many CIOs is how to make that all important next step in their digital transformation journey. They want business focused solutions that will help them create a true workplace of the future by improving workflow, experience and ultimately customer satisfaction.
New Zealand CIOs and ICT professionals, from large scale enterprise to SMBs, have continued to be early adopters of next generation technology and cloud service adoption is no different. Many are already taking it to the next level by adopting a cloud-first strategy.
So what does this mean for Polycom? Put simply, the conversation has moved on and so have we. The truth of the matter is that we know our customers are looking for multiple options when it comes to cloud and as vendors we need to maintain our relevance by providing customers with their consumption model of choice.
As Michael Brandenburg Frost & Sullivan Unified Communications & Collaboration industry analyst recently said, “There are many businesses that will persist with on-premises equipment, as well as many others that desire a hybrid communications model. Therefore, enterprise communication vendors must provide OPEX subscription models alongside CAPEX models to deliver a wide variety of options and ultimately, stay relevant in a constantly changing marketplace.
Benefits of cloud video services
Video has become natural and intuitive as both a social and enterprise tool for collaborating. Today, ‘skyping’ is as readily available for most as picking up their smartphone. With users connecting visually via a multitude of devices and environments, moving to cloud-based services was only a matter of time.
Here are 4 key benefits of moving to the cloud:
- Increased flexibility: Cloud-based video services offer customers flexible consumption models. A cloud solution offers the flexibility to scale up or down as customer demand changes, and customers can adopt a ‘pay as you grow’ model towards video deployments. Flexibility on consumption allows organizations to focus on successful adoption without the fear of over or under-utilization.
- Budgeting and Asset Lifecycle Management: Consuming video-as-a-service means that what was once a capital expense is now a simple operating expense. Not only are projects more cost-effective to budget for, but if the right service provider is chosen, other benefits like access to the latest software upgrades are automatic – no more sweating assets to build your capex business case!
- Reduced complexity and access to the latest features: Video experts managing a cloud video service can focus on providing customers with the latest features and best service. Customers can focus on collaborating effectively and having a great experience
- Fast adoption: Delivered via the cloud, video services are immediately available for customers to test and consume. With simple set up and management, customers can evaluate solutions and move to adoption much faster.
The Polycom Advantage
A major consideration for Polycom and our customers is that not only should we be offering consumption choice, but for successful end user adoption of collaboration services, maintaining a consistent experience and integrated workflow is critical to success. Integrating cloud video into existing workflows, and providing a consistent experience across traditional video conferencing devices or emerging devices such as tablets, desktops and phones is important.
Choosing a vendor with experience at all stages of the video evolution matters most; they need to offer strategic thought leadership and more importantly choice. Polycom is very pleased to be working with a partner community that delivers a variety of services, so if you are looking for vanilla or cookie cut solutions, we have a nice selection on the menu.
Polycom and Microsoft: A Successful Partnership
Polycom is the only Microsoft partner that provides direct integration with more than 40 voice, video, and content solutions that integrate with Skype for Business / Microsoft Lync, SharePoint, Exchange, Azure and Office 365.
One of the key reasons why Skype for Business has been so successful in the market place is its ease of use. User adoption has been and continues to be vital to success of any UC platform. Users simply love the look and feel of Skype for Business, its ease of use and intuitive interface, click-to-call, drag-and-drop conferencing, and more importantly the ability to schedule meetings using familiar tools such as Outlook.
Addressing the Skype for Business Interoperability Conundrum
Every video collaboration vendor makes the claim of being interoperable with Skype for Business; so that leaves customers asking: how do we differentiate between them? Are they all the same? An intelligent guess would certainly be “No”. While every VC system claims interoperability, not all do so in a way that preserves the user experience of Skype for Business that users are already familiar with.
That’s where Polycom RealConnect™ for Skype for Business solution differs from other approaches. The RealConnect solution simplifies the scheduling workflow as it leverages native Microsoft Outlook calendaring and enables intuitive one click-to-dial experience for both Skype for Business users and videoconference system users.
Want to Know More?
Polycom will be present at multiple events for the remainder of 2015. Come and talk to us, we would be very interested to learn about your journey to the cloud and equally provide you with some excellent options should you want to get a taste of cloud based video services.
Upcoming events:
HINZ, Christchurch 19th – 22nd October
Ignite Australia, Gold Coast 17th – 20th November
Webinar: Are You Ready for Skype for Business?
4 Great Myths about Cloud Video Services