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When the WebRTC project was launched, speculation quickly spread about the potential for browser-based communications to disrupt the communications market and eliminate the need for PBXs, phones, and UC applications. That clearly has not happened in either the business or consumer markets, however, as hurdles appeared on two fronts: confusion over standards and lack of support from several major browsers and communications vendors prevented a takeover.
Related: The Digital Workplace & Industry 4.0
Here is a refresher of WebRTC technology for readers who may not be familiar with it: WebRTC stands for Web Real-Time Communications and it allows browser and app-based endpoints to communicate via application programming interfaces (APIs). The advantage of this technology over other types of communications technologies is that it allows audio and video communication to work inside web pages using direct peer-to-peer communication instead of plug-ins or native apps that must be downloaded and installed. This helps to reduce complexity, provided that devices are using the same protocols.
Related: How The 5G Network Will Benefit Business
Chrome, Firefox, and Opera were early supporters of WebRTC, but Microsoft lagged behind until the release of its Edge browser. Even so, when it did begin offering real-time communications it did so using an alternative API set it called ORTC, which further delayed a consensus on standards. Apple also delayed support until the release of the Safari 11 last year. This meant many users would have to install dreaded plug-ins to participate in WebRTC sessions.
Related: Developing A Strategic Business Plan For UC
That said, WebRTC continued to grow, though not as rapidly and without the dominance some had projected. Today, the majority of communications providers and developers now support web real-time communications, and web developers are increasingly embedding click-to-call capabilities into their apps and websites using it. A study by Nemertes Research last year reported that more than a quarter of respondents were supporting or planned to support web-based voice using plug-in free WebRTC.
Related: Voice Recognition Is The Next Phase Of UC
WebRTC Is Ready To Play
Now that all the major browsers have standardized support thanks to the open source WebRTC project, the playing field has been leveled between major legacy players and the new generation of smaller communications and collaboration providers.
Related: We’re Not Here For A Long Time, But A Real-Time
The result will be a new phase of growth around WebRTC-enabled apps and services in almost any market. Easy targets include healthcare, education, customer service, and insurance applications, but the simplicity of browser and app-based communications can be extended to make any business communications applications inherently user-friendly. The contextual consumer experience users enjoy with their Facebook, WhatsApp, Skype, and other social communications apps will now work with enterprise communications for streamlined experiences in any setting.
Related: Creating The Meeting Room Of The Future
The opportunities WebRTC presents to augment communications extend to every app, website, and service. While it may not achieve the global dominance some predicted, WebRTC will continue to grow and deliver the simplicity and choice promised by Unified Communications.
.tcginform.com/view/content/s1pbl" > Why WebRTC Is Finally Ready To Take On The WorldWhen the WebRTC project was launched, speculation quickly spread about the potential for browser-based communications to disrupt the communications market and eliminate the need for PBXs, phones, and UC applications. That clearly has not happened in either the business or consumer markets, however, as hurdles appeared on two fronts: confusion over standards and lack of support from several major browsers and communications vendors prevented a takeover.
Related: The Digital Workplace & Industry 4.0
Here is a refresher of WebRTC technology for readers who may not be familiar with it: WebRTC stands for Web Real-Time Communications and it allows browser and app-based endpoints to communicate via application programming interfaces (APIs). The advantage of this technology over other types of communications technologies is that it allows audio and video communication to work inside web pages using direct peer-to-peer communication instead of plug-ins or native apps that must be downloaded and installed. This helps to reduce complexity, provided that devices are using the same protocols.
Related: How The 5G Network Will Benefit Business
Chrome, Firefox, and Opera were early supporters of WebRTC, but Microsoft lagged behind until the release of its Edge browser. Even so, when it did begin offering real-time communications it did so using an alternative API set it called ORTC, which further delayed a consensus on standards. Apple also delayed support until the release of the Safari 11 last year. This meant many users would have to install dreaded plug-ins to participate in WebRTC sessions.
Related: Developing A Strategic Business Plan For UC
That said, WebRTC continued to grow, though not as rapidly and without the dominance some had projected. Today, the majority of communications providers and developers now support web real-time communications, and web developers are increasingly embedding click-to-call capabilities into their apps and websites using it. A study by Nemertes Research last year reported that more than a quarter of respondents were supporting or planned to support web-based voice using plug-in free WebRTC.
Related: Voice Recognition Is The Next Phase Of UC
WebRTC Is Ready To Play
Now that all the major browsers have standardized support thanks to the open source WebRTC project, the playing field has been leveled between major legacy players and the new generation of smaller communications and collaboration providers.
Related: We’re Not Here For A Long Time, But A Real-Time
The result will be a new phase of growth around WebRTC-enabled apps and services in almost any market. Easy targets include healthcare, education, customer service, and insurance applications, but the simplicity of browser and app-based communications can be extended to make any business communications applications inherently user-friendly. The contextual consumer experience users enjoy with their Facebook, WhatsApp, Skype, and other social communications apps will now work with enterprise communications for streamlined experiences in any setting.
Related: Creating The Meeting Room Of The Future
The opportunities WebRTC presents to augment communications extend to every app, website, and service. While it may not achieve the global dominance some predicted, WebRTC will continue to grow and deliver the simplicity and choice promised by Unified Communications.
.tcginform.com/view/content/s1pbl">Star2StarContentPublished: 05/17/2018Why WebRTC Is Finally.. →
\ star2starWhen the WebRTC project was launched, speculation quickly spread about the potential for browser-based communications to disrupt the communications market and eliminate the need for PBXs, phones, and UC applications. That clearly has not happened in either the business or consumer markets, however, as hurdles appeared on two fronts: confusion over standards and lack of support from several major browsers and communications vendors prevented a takeover.
Related: The Digital Workplace & Industry 4.0
Here is a refresher of WebRTC technology for readers who may not be familiar with it: WebRTC stands for Web Real-Time Communications and it allows browser and app-based endpoints to communicate via application programming interfaces (APIs). The advantage of this technology over other types of communications technologies is that it allows audio and video communication to work inside web pages using direct peer-to-peer communication instead of plug-ins or native apps that must be downloaded and installed. This helps to reduce complexity, provided that devices are using the same protocols.
Related: How The 5G Network Will Benefit Business
Chrome, Firefox, and Opera were early supporters of WebRTC, but Microsoft lagged behind until the release of its Edge browser. Even so, when it did begin offering real-time communications it did so using an alternative API set it called ORTC, which further delayed a consensus on standards. Apple also delayed support until the release of the Safari 11 last year. This meant many users would have to install dreaded plug-ins to participate in WebRTC sessions.
Related: Developing A Strategic Business Plan For UC
That said, WebRTC continued to grow, though not as rapidly and without the dominance some had projected. Today, the majority of communications providers and developers now support web real-time communications, and web developers are increasingly embedding click-to-call capabilities into their apps and websites using it. A study by Nemertes Research last year reported that more than a quarter of respondents were supporting or planned to support web-based voice using plug-in free WebRTC.
Related: Voice Recognition Is The Next Phase Of UC
WebRTC Is Ready To Play
Now that all the major browsers have standardized support thanks to the open source WebRTC project, the playing field has been leveled between major legacy players and the new generation of smaller communications and collaboration providers.
Related: We’re Not Here For A Long Time, But A Real-Time
The result will be a new phase of growth around WebRTC-enabled apps and services in almost any market. Easy targets include healthcare, education, customer service, and insurance applications, but the simplicity of browser and app-based communications can be extended to make any business communications applications inherently user-friendly. The contextual consumer experience users enjoy with their Facebook, WhatsApp, Skype, and other social communications apps will now work with enterprise communications for streamlined experiences in any setting.
Related: Creating The Meeting Room Of The Future
The opportunities WebRTC presents to augment communications extend to every app, website, and service. While it may not achieve the global dominance some predicted, WebRTC will continue to grow and deliver the simplicity and choice promised by Unified Communications.
.tcginform.com/view/content/s1pbl" class="button-custom"> View Content -
Over the last several years, we have seen a big shift in the way businesses share information and collaborate on projects. The days of using disparate communications systems are coming to an end. Now, many companies are embracing a strategy called Unified Communications (UC).
Related: Voice Recognition Is The Next Phase Of UC
Just as it sounds, UC involves integrating multiple communications tools into a single platform to improve teamwork and productivity, as well as accessibility. UC involves technologies like telephony, instant messaging, fax, presence, audio, and video conferencing.
This strategy is becoming increasingly important as businesses become more geographically dispersed. UC also makes it easier to work on projects with remote business partners and clients — saving time, and reducing travel. With a robust UC system in place, team members can access core communications tools from any location over the Internet.
Related: Developing A Strategic Business Plan For UC
The idea of consolidating these various technologies may sound simple at first, but the truth is that setting up and managing your own in-house UC system can be very difficult, not to mention risky and resource-intensive. Most businesses lack the time, money and expertise that is required to build and operate their own UC environment. So, they choose to outsource the management of their hardware and software to third-party providers offering “hosted” UC services.
Hosted Unified Communications In A Nutshell
Hosted UC offers direct access to fully-managed infrastructure and powerful, cloud-based conferencing and collaboration solutions. In short, you get all of the benefits that UC has to offer without any of the headaches that come along with it.
Related: The Digital Workplace & Industry 4.0
With hosted UC, for instance, you can avoid having to work directly with any hardware manufacturers which will save time and money. UC providers handle all aspects related to purchasing and maintaining equipment. This will save your IT team from having to perform extra daily, weekly or monthly maintenance.
Related: Why WebRTC Is Finally Ready To Take On The World
Hosted UC is also useful from a scalability perspective. Hosted UC providers specialize in offering rapid scalability to protect against sudden spikes in traffic. They can protect against unexpected, and expensive, capacity issues.
Star2Star now offers StarSystem® Hosted as part of our Full Spectrum Communications Solution. StarSystem® Hosted is a fully-managed UC platform including features like a centralized dashboard and portal login, SD-WAN functionality, flexible call controls, callflow designer, and more. As a part of our complete communications ecosystem, StarSystem® Hosted offers increased flexibility, reliability, and ease of use.
.tcginform.com/view/content/PWvnj" > What Is Hosted Unified Communications?Over the last several years, we have seen a big shift in the way businesses share information and collaborate on projects. The days of using disparate communications systems are coming to an end. Now, many companies are embracing a strategy called Unified Communications (UC).
Related: Voice Recognition Is The Next Phase Of UC
Just as it sounds, UC involves integrating multiple communications tools into a single platform to improve teamwork and productivity, as well as accessibility. UC involves technologies like telephony, instant messaging, fax, presence, audio, and video conferencing.
This strategy is becoming increasingly important as businesses become more geographically dispersed. UC also makes it easier to work on projects with remote business partners and clients — saving time, and reducing travel. With a robust UC system in place, team members can access core communications tools from any location over the Internet.
Related: Developing A Strategic Business Plan For UC
The idea of consolidating these various technologies may sound simple at first, but the truth is that setting up and managing your own in-house UC system can be very difficult, not to mention risky and resource-intensive. Most businesses lack the time, money and expertise that is required to build and operate their own UC environment. So, they choose to outsource the management of their hardware and software to third-party providers offering “hosted” UC services.
Hosted Unified Communications In A Nutshell
Hosted UC offers direct access to fully-managed infrastructure and powerful, cloud-based conferencing and collaboration solutions. In short, you get all of the benefits that UC has to offer without any of the headaches that come along with it.
Related: The Digital Workplace & Industry 4.0
With hosted UC, for instance, you can avoid having to work directly with any hardware manufacturers which will save time and money. UC providers handle all aspects related to purchasing and maintaining equipment. This will save your IT team from having to perform extra daily, weekly or monthly maintenance.
Related: Why WebRTC Is Finally Ready To Take On The World
Hosted UC is also useful from a scalability perspective. Hosted UC providers specialize in offering rapid scalability to protect against sudden spikes in traffic. They can protect against unexpected, and expensive, capacity issues.
Star2Star now offers StarSystem® Hosted as part of our Full Spectrum Communications Solution. StarSystem® Hosted is a fully-managed UC platform including features like a centralized dashboard and portal login, SD-WAN functionality, flexible call controls, callflow designer, and more. As a part of our complete communications ecosystem, StarSystem® Hosted offers increased flexibility, reliability, and ease of use.
.tcginform.com/view/content/PWvnj">Star2StarContentPublished: 05/17/2018What Is Hosted Unified.. →
\ star2starOver the last several years, we have seen a big shift in the way businesses share information and collaborate on projects. The days of using disparate communications systems are coming to an end. Now, many companies are embracing a strategy called Unified Communications (UC).
Related: Voice Recognition Is The Next Phase Of UC
Just as it sounds, UC involves integrating multiple communications tools into a single platform to improve teamwork and productivity, as well as accessibility. UC involves technologies like telephony, instant messaging, fax, presence, audio, and video conferencing.
This strategy is becoming increasingly important as businesses become more geographically dispersed. UC also makes it easier to work on projects with remote business partners and clients — saving time, and reducing travel. With a robust UC system in place, team members can access core communications tools from any location over the Internet.
Related: Developing A Strategic Business Plan For UC
The idea of consolidating these various technologies may sound simple at first, but the truth is that setting up and managing your own in-house UC system can be very difficult, not to mention risky and resource-intensive. Most businesses lack the time, money and expertise that is required to build and operate their own UC environment. So, they choose to outsource the management of their hardware and software to third-party providers offering “hosted” UC services.
Hosted Unified Communications In A Nutshell
Hosted UC offers direct access to fully-managed infrastructure and powerful, cloud-based conferencing and collaboration solutions. In short, you get all of the benefits that UC has to offer without any of the headaches that come along with it.
Related: The Digital Workplace & Industry 4.0
With hosted UC, for instance, you can avoid having to work directly with any hardware manufacturers which will save time and money. UC providers handle all aspects related to purchasing and maintaining equipment. This will save your IT team from having to perform extra daily, weekly or monthly maintenance.
Related: Why WebRTC Is Finally Ready To Take On The World
Hosted UC is also useful from a scalability perspective. Hosted UC providers specialize in offering rapid scalability to protect against sudden spikes in traffic. They can protect against unexpected, and expensive, capacity issues.
Star2Star now offers StarSystem® Hosted as part of our Full Spectrum Communications Solution. StarSystem® Hosted is a fully-managed UC platform including features like a centralized dashboard and portal login, SD-WAN functionality, flexible call controls, callflow designer, and more. As a part of our complete communications ecosystem, StarSystem® Hosted offers increased flexibility, reliability, and ease of use.
.tcginform.com/view/content/PWvnj" class="button-custom"> View Content -
If you want to grow into a large enterprise, it’s important to remain vigilant about how you spend money. After all, seven out of 10 small companies will go out of business within 10 years, and many will barely even make it through the first.
Related: 4 Must-Haves For Small Business Phone Systems
With this in mind, if you’re thinking about purchasing your own telephony system, think again. Doing so would be extremely resource-intensive, as it requires hefty capital and operational expenditures. It’s hard to justify buying your own telephony equipment when there are so many vendors on the market offering high quality hosted VoIP services through the cloud.
Related: The Top 5 Benefits Of Hosted UC
Most IT decision makers tend to agree, too. In a recent study, 77 percent of decision-makers said they wanted hosted telephony systems.
The Benefits Of Cloud-Based VoIP
Cost savings aside, here are some of the top reasons why small businesses should opt for cloud-based VoIP:
Better Quality
Countless performance issues can arise on a network that can impact VoIP communications, resulting in delayed packet transmissions and garbled conversations. If you own your own on-premise phone system, your team will be responsible for identifying, locating and fixing issues when they arise. If you work with a cloud provider, you won’t have to worry about optimizing your network for voice traffic. You will receive high-quality voice services, backed by a service level agreement.
Related: How The 5G Network Will Benefit Business
Rapid Scalability
Growing businesses need to be able to scale rapidly, something that is very difficult and expensive to do when managing your own communications network. Cloud-based VoIP providers can offer rapid and affordable scalability, helping businesses respond effectively as their customers fluctuate.
Related: 6 Long-Term UC Benefits For Your Business
Greater Flexibility
Businesses with multiple branch locations can avoid the complications of dealing with multiple service providers, choosing instead to access cloud-based VoIP from a single company.
Related: The Benefits Of Cloud UC & How To Leverage Them
Easier Mobility
You can use a cloud VoIP system in conjunction with a unified communications (UC) platform to mobilize your workforce. Star2Star, for instance, can provide mobile access to a range of enterprise communications apps like voice, video, fax and more.
Related: 7 Ways To Increase Productivity For Your Mobile Workforce
Improved Security
Cloud providers can offer advanced security features to protect your data, such as encryption as well as phishing and spoofing detection services. Cloud providers can also offer stronger physical access controls.
.tcginform.com/view/content/Swxvn" > Why Small Businesses Should Choose Cloud-Based.. →If you want to grow into a large enterprise, it’s important to remain vigilant about how you spend money. After all, seven out of 10 small companies will go out of business within 10 years, and many will barely even make it through the first.
Related: 4 Must-Haves For Small Business Phone Systems
With this in mind, if you’re thinking about purchasing your own telephony system, think again. Doing so would be extremely resource-intensive, as it requires hefty capital and operational expenditures. It’s hard to justify buying your own telephony equipment when there are so many vendors on the market offering high quality hosted VoIP services through the cloud.
Related: The Top 5 Benefits Of Hosted UC
Most IT decision makers tend to agree, too. In a recent study, 77 percent of decision-makers said they wanted hosted telephony systems.
The Benefits Of Cloud-Based VoIP
Cost savings aside, here are some of the top reasons why small businesses should opt for cloud-based VoIP:
Better Quality
Countless performance issues can arise on a network that can impact VoIP communications, resulting in delayed packet transmissions and garbled conversations. If you own your own on-premise phone system, your team will be responsible for identifying, locating and fixing issues when they arise. If you work with a cloud provider, you won’t have to worry about optimizing your network for voice traffic. You will receive high-quality voice services, backed by a service level agreement.
Related: How The 5G Network Will Benefit Business
Rapid Scalability
Growing businesses need to be able to scale rapidly, something that is very difficult and expensive to do when managing your own communications network. Cloud-based VoIP providers can offer rapid and affordable scalability, helping businesses respond effectively as their customers fluctuate.
Related: 6 Long-Term UC Benefits For Your Business
Greater Flexibility
Businesses with multiple branch locations can avoid the complications of dealing with multiple service providers, choosing instead to access cloud-based VoIP from a single company.
Related: The Benefits Of Cloud UC & How To Leverage Them
Easier Mobility
You can use a cloud VoIP system in conjunction with a unified communications (UC) platform to mobilize your workforce. Star2Star, for instance, can provide mobile access to a range of enterprise communications apps like voice, video, fax and more.
Related: 7 Ways To Increase Productivity For Your Mobile Workforce
Improved Security
Cloud providers can offer advanced security features to protect your data, such as encryption as well as phishing and spoofing detection services. Cloud providers can also offer stronger physical access controls.
.tcginform.com/view/content/Swxvn">Star2StarContentPublished: 05/31/2018Why Small Businesses.. →
\ star2starIf you want to grow into a large enterprise, it’s important to remain vigilant about how you spend money. After all, seven out of 10 small companies will go out of business within 10 years, and many will barely even make it through the first.
Related: 4 Must-Haves For Small Business Phone Systems
With this in mind, if you’re thinking about purchasing your own telephony system, think again. Doing so would be extremely resource-intensive, as it requires hefty capital and operational expenditures. It’s hard to justify buying your own telephony equipment when there are so many vendors on the market offering high quality hosted VoIP services through the cloud.
Related: The Top 5 Benefits Of Hosted UC
Most IT decision makers tend to agree, too. In a recent study, 77 percent of decision-makers said they wanted hosted telephony systems.
The Benefits Of Cloud-Based VoIP
Cost savings aside, here are some of the top reasons why small businesses should opt for cloud-based VoIP:
Better Quality
Countless performance issues can arise on a network that can impact VoIP communications, resulting in delayed packet transmissions and garbled conversations. If you own your own on-premise phone system, your team will be responsible for identifying, locating and fixing issues when they arise. If you work with a cloud provider, you won’t have to worry about optimizing your network for voice traffic. You will receive high-quality voice services, backed by a service level agreement.
Related: How The 5G Network Will Benefit Business
Rapid Scalability
Growing businesses need to be able to scale rapidly, something that is very difficult and expensive to do when managing your own communications network. Cloud-based VoIP providers can offer rapid and affordable scalability, helping businesses respond effectively as their customers fluctuate.
Related: 6 Long-Term UC Benefits For Your Business
Greater Flexibility
Businesses with multiple branch locations can avoid the complications of dealing with multiple service providers, choosing instead to access cloud-based VoIP from a single company.
Related: The Benefits Of Cloud UC & How To Leverage Them
Easier Mobility
You can use a cloud VoIP system in conjunction with a unified communications (UC) platform to mobilize your workforce. Star2Star, for instance, can provide mobile access to a range of enterprise communications apps like voice, video, fax and more.
Related: 7 Ways To Increase Productivity For Your Mobile Workforce
Improved Security
Cloud providers can offer advanced security features to protect your data, such as encryption as well as phishing and spoofing detection services. Cloud providers can also offer stronger physical access controls.
.tcginform.com/view/content/Swxvn" class="button-custom"> View Content
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