Thanks to the greater availability of broadband Internet access, the rising adoption of smartphones that support video conferencing or Web meetings, and innovative advances in technology, the Web collaboration marketplace has exploded. And there’s plenty of research to back up the growth.

 

According to Gartner’s (News - Alert) “Magic Quadrant for Web Conferencing 2007” white paper, Web conferencing will be available to 75 percent of corporate users as a standard, in addition to e-mail, presence, calendaring, instant-messaging and other solutions. Overall, the global unified communications market is predicted to more than double from $22.6 billion in 2007 to $48.7 billion in 2012, Wainhouse (News - Alert) Research found.

 

One device projected to benefit from the demand is the smartphone. Analysts said the UC market likely will adopt the iPhone, BlackBerry (News - Alert), Windows Mobile, Symbian, Palm and Android. And telecom analysts have predicted that smartphone penetration will reach 406.7 million shipments by 2014.

 

The down economy and companies’ need to cut costs are two factors driving the adoption of VoIP-enabled Web collaboration products in the marketplace. Three areas where Web collaboration software has the most potential include social networks, educational groups and business/government groups and operations.

 

With social networks, groups and members can talk live using VoIP. The technology also lets users send video, view photos, and play online games, as well as collaborate on social networks through wireless devices and computers.

 

Meanwhile, Web collaboration software helps education groups offer live study rooms for students. For example, desktop presentation featuring live video and voice collaboration creates a more effective learning environment. In addition, the technology reduces the need to hold classes for small groups and gives students who miss a session the chance to review the material by replying it on demand.

 

Web conferencing software, on the other hand, helps people in the business/government sector cut travel costs and boost efficiency by increasing meeting attendance from multiple offices. It also helps firms conduct remote job training and remote interviews, saving valuable time.

In fact, a recent Frost & Sullivan (News - Alert) survey found that 83 percent of executives view communications and collaboration tools as useful for providing cost reduction benefits. What’s more, 81 percent said they also allow faster decision-making.

 

And Bradon Technologies, aCanada-based provider of VoIP software, including Web meeting technology, has developed an innovative tool called “SAViiDesk” to help companies with its Web meeting needs.

 

SAViiDesk, a Software-as-a-Solution application recently won Technology Marketing Corporation’s 2008 UC Product of the Year Award for the SAViiDesk solution. SAViiDesk is a VoIP-enabled Web meeting and collaboration product that permits audio, video and desktop sharing over the Internet. The product lets people meet and collaborate online using VoIP technology. Users can share their desktop and video, with high quality, synchronized audio. Participants can also attend online meetings by using their BlackBerry smartphones, as well as other Windows Mobile smartphone devices.

 

Users can also connect with a landline or cell phone while in a conference. Participants only need a headset as audio can be transmitted through the Internet, allowing for higher quality and more flexible conferencing. Moreover, the technology offers users instantaneous archiving of the conference so people can revisit the conference

 

What sets Bradon Technologies SAViiDesk’s solution apart from other VoIP collaborations offerings is its VoIP audio Codec technology, called Bradon Technologies Audio Codec, or “BTAC.” BTAC’s unprecedented data compression capabilities make it an ideal solution for mobile applications.

 

SAViiDesk can be used in a variety of areas to boost productivity, including customer sales presentations, sales team coordination, training and distance learning, customer service and marketing and media communications. Bradon’s SAViiDesk Webservices API allows complete integration with third-party applications that use industry standard XML/SOAP/WSDL technologies. With the click of a button, customers can launch a VoIP Web conference and present desktop material with audio and video feeds.

 

Companies are increasingly realizing the benefits of the technology. The solution not only helps employees reduce travel costs, but also increases productivity.

 

How is this for convenience? An executive can conduct a Web meeting featuring a Webcam video feed while flying cross-country in First Class. The executive can take control of the presentation from the meeting host in New York while crossing the Pacific.

 

Check back for the next series installation to learn more about the role of VoIP technology in mobile communications.