ITEXPO Speaker: New Innovations in Communication Apps

By Susan J. Campbell, TMCnet Contributing Editor

Exciting news continues to emerge from the telecommunications space and with ITEXPO East 2012 just around the corner, TMC is highly anticipating new announcements this week. In preparation for the event, TMC CEO Rich Tehrani sat down with Alan Duric (News - Alert), CTO and co-founder of Telio Holding Company, gojitek. When asked about the most significant technological advancement in the past 12 months, Duric highlighted that 2011 was a great year for Telio and Goji as hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world are using the new Goji communications app. As for the most important trend in his market segment, Duric pointed to the uptake of Android and iOS-based smartphones.


When asked about the biggest challenge facing gojitek customers today, Duric noted a major obstacle in Apple’s (News - Alert) rigid policies with respect to openness of APIs, limiting access to dialers and other parts of iOS. As for the proliferation of the cloud, it has enabled a number of useful Goji features, according to Duric. Asked if cloud-based communications will expedite the end of the premises-based PBX market, Duric noted there are still many use cases for enterprise. When it comes to social media, initial efforts for gojitek have produced good results, with increased focus and activity planned for the coming year.

As for the need for a social media presence in every business, Duric believes this is a good idea, highlighting the value of instant feedback on initiatives and more. Now that Microsoft (News - Alert) is promoting the tight integration between its mobile and desktop OS, Duric stressed it is certainly possible the software giant could also dominate in the enterprise mobile market. This week at ITEXPO East, attendees can expect what Duric refers to as, “stimulating conversations with potential partners” in a variety of areas. As for his 2012 prediction, he shared that we will see the proliferation of business models among over-the-top players.

Their entire conversation follows:

What was the most significant technological advancement in the past 12 months and why?
2011 was great year for Telio and Goji. Hundreds of thousands of people around the world are using our recently launched Goji communications app for Android OS and iOS, which has received an independent media award as a best product of the year. Previously available only to Telio's subscribers in Scandinavia, Goji offers very high video and speech quality. Building on the success of our direct-to-consumer app, we have developed and will be focusing more this year on white-label solutions and partnerships with mobile and triple-play operators.

What has been the biggest trend in your market segment and how is it impacting your customers?
The most important trend has been the spectacular uptake of Android and iOS-based smartphones, which in a year became the predominant choice for the majority of users.

What is the biggest challenge facing your customers today and how is your company helping address that challenge? 
Currently, a major obstacle is Apple’s rigid policies with respect to openness of APIs, which limits access to dialers and some other parts of iOS. This is an issue our company can’t solve. I believe it will be fixed by Apple due to pressure from Android OS (which has addressed this in a visibly better way), or through antitrust actions that are likely to come if Apple does not change practices with respect to the openness of their APIs.

How has Cloud impacted your business?  How has it impacted your customers?
The cloud has enabled a number of useful Goji features with respect to synchronized contacts, messages, etc. across different devices, which are also being backed up automatically with all complexity hidden from user.

Will Cloud-based communications expedite the end of the premises-based PBX market?
I doubt it because there are still many use cases for enterprises in which it is simply suboptimal to have a number of features in the core of the network, which will also significantly increase complexity.

What approach has your business taken to social media? If you have implemented a social media program, have you been able to evaluate your program’s success?
Our social media efforts are showing very good initial results, and we will be increasing our focus and activity in that area.

Does every business need a social media presence?  Why or why not?
Yes, because social media are the websites of the 2010s. By having a good grasp on social media, companies can get almost instant feedback on their initiatives, products, etc. Companies focusing on B2B with large enterprises as end customers have less need.

With Microsoft touting tight integration between its mobile and desktop OS, can it become a major competitor in the enterprise mobile market?
Certainly. Also, Microsoft’s acquisition of Skype (News - Alert) acquisition can further propel the company’s competitiveness. However, Microsoft needs to communicate a clear strategy and polish its marketing communications. Its current customers do not know if they will be competitors when they hit the market.

What can attendees expect from your company at ITEXPO?
Stimulating conversations with potential partners in over-the-top voice, Unified Communications (News - Alert) and telepresence, as well as ad hoc demos of our deployed solutions.

Make one technology prediction for 2012 and consider its impact.
Over-the-top services for voice and video (real-time and non-real-time) have reached critical mass in 2011 and are poised for phenomenal growth during 2012. This year, we will see proliferation of business models among OTT players.

Duric will speak on a panel at the 4GWE Summit on Wednesday, Feb. 1, from 4:45-5:45 p.m., on “Birds of a Feather: The Case for Rich Communication Services: Maximizing Real Time Communications Revenue.” He also will be a judge at Startup Camp on Thursday, Feb. 2, at 5:45 p.m.

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Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Jennifer Russell

(source: http://www.tmcnet.com/topics/articles/2012/01/30/260901-itexpo-speaker-new-innovations-communication-apps.htm)

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