TMCnews Featured Article

With the number of new products and services being introduced onto the market today, how do you best determine what is truly needed and what is just hype? According to Dave Michels, Principal at Verge1, the market is in the greatest need for mobility. Michels recently took part in a TMCnet interview in anticipation of the upcoming ITEXPO (News - Alert) West 2010 event. When asked when unified communications will go mainstream, Michels believes it has already happened, yet the solutions are lagging.

As for who will win the smartphone/tablet wars, Michels points to the consumer. He does believe that social media has changed the way he communicates with customers and that we will finally see widespread HD voice deployments in 2011. When asked about mobile video chat, he pointed out that it will be used heavily to show interesting things, not for talking heads. As for the wireless operating system that will enjoy the greatest success, Michels points to Android (News - Alert). When asked about wireless completely replacing wired, Michels doesn’t see it as a possibility as wired will always be faster.

Michels was also asked about the impact on his business from the growth of cloud-based services, which he refers to as significant. In regards to the net neutrality debate, Michels believes Google (News - Alert) sold us out. His opinion on the most overhyped technology: shoes. At this year’s ITEXPO West 2010, Michels will offer a session about the right way to skin a cat and the lucky attendee will leave with the tail. As for his bold prediction, he sees wireless carriers enter the hosted PBX (News - Alert) market.

The entire conversation follows:

What is the one product or service the market is most in need of?

Mobility: Integrating voice with mobility requirements, including teleworking, mobile phones, and other forms of communications (such as text, email).

When will unified communications go mainstream?

Last year. The requirements are real, the solutions are lagging.

Who will win the smartphone wars? Tablet wars?

The consumer.

Has social media changed how you communicate with customers?

Yes.

Nearly every phone manufacturer is now incorporating support for wideband codecs.  Will we finally see widespread HD voice deployments in 2011?

Yes.

What are your thoughts on the viability of mobile video chat or conferencing?

Will be used heavily, but not for talking heads--more to show interesting things.

Which wireless operating system (Android, iOS4, Microsoft (News - Alert), etc) will see the greatest success over the next three years?  Why?

Android, because of the number of vendors and carriers supporting it.

Some have suggested wireless networking will soon replace wired networks in the enterprise.  Do you agree? Why or why not?

No, wired will always be faster.

What impact has the growth of cloud-based services had on your business?

Significant. Dramatically reduced infrastructure costs and improved mobility.

What do you think of the net neutrality debate?

Google sold us out.

What is the most overhyped technology in your opinion?

Shoes.

You are speaking at ITEXPO West 2010.  What is your session about?

The right way to skin a cat.

What will attendees take away from your session?

One lucky attendee will get the tail.

Please make a bold technology prediction for 2011.

Wireless carriers enter the hosted PBX market.

To find out more about Dave Michels and Verge 1, visit the company at ITEXPO West 2010. To be held Oct. 4 to 6 in Los Angeles, ITEXPO is the world’s premier IP communications event. Don’t wait. Register now.