Smartphone Support Key to Enterprise Mobile Video Collaboration

In the world of enterprise mobile video collaboration, Librestream and Livecast ranked first in a quantitative rating of their implementation and innovation capabilities. The study, carried out by ABI Research, found that the two bested larger vendors like AT&T and Polycom (News - Alert)—largely on the basis of the variety of mobile devices they support, and their ease of use.

The assessment evaluated vendor’s mobile video collaboration products and services when applied to business operations support—a growing area for enterprises. Operations teams are faced daily with a need for advanced collaboration tools, enterprise-grade security and optimized performance for real-world field situations. Live mobile video collaboration between remote workers and subject matter experts can solve problems, manage projects, inspect equipment and perform vertical-related functions, like diagnosing patients. These solutions fill a need across a variety of industries like manufacturing, energy, field service and telemedicine.

“This type of usage is different than the traditional person-to-person usage and also represents a much larger addressable market of up to 500 million users worldwide,” the research firm noted. “Examples of use include a technician showing a remote expert a live video feed of a defective part or machine; a reporter capturing an event or story on the mobile rather than using a camera operator; or real estate agents showing customers a new property.”

Librestream scored highest among all the competitors for mobile solution features. “Librestream has done a great job making video collaboration interactive; such as the ability to telestrate on both the camera and desktop applications; and remote control of camera from the desktop application including zoom, freeze frame, image capture, and lighting,” said enterprise practice director Dan Shey (News - Alert).

It also scored high in vertical market expertise and partnerships, partially thanks to it’s recently introduced an iPhone and iPad applications.

Livecast meanwhile scored highest of any competitor in smartphone OS coverage, which includes apps for Android (News - Alert), Blackberry, Windows Mobile and Symbian platforms. “Livecast has one of broadest product lines of hardware, software and services including the most extensive set of features in its command center application,” ABI noted.