GENBAND Launches WebRTC-Compatible Unified Communications Solution

GENBAND is entering the WebRTC space, with the introduction of SMART OFFICE 2.0. This unified communications (UC) solution is available not only on a range of business devices, but also via WebRTC-compliant web browsers. This end-to-end collaboration solution lets users access their communications from devices of their choice, and is delivered as a cloud-based offering or deployed in an enterprise data center. With the addition of the WebRTC option, GENBAND has opened up more options and opportunities for users.

SMART OFFICE 2.0 is designed with mobility and BYOD in mind, hence its capabilities to be used on multiple devices. It's mainly suited for tablet and WebRTC environments, but can also be deployed with traditional PBX hardware to connect smart devices and office phones. Users can then chat, call, screen share, or engage in videoconferences from whichever device or location they prefer.

In order to power SMART OFFICE 2.0, GENBAND is using its EXPERiUS Application Server, SpiDR WebRTC Gateway, QUANTiX Session Border Controller, GENView provisioning solution, and CONTinUUM Call Session Controllers. The combination creates a solution with a variety of UC tools that can be easily accessed from mobile devices and WebRTC-compliant browsers.

There are a number of features available in SMART OFFICE 2.0, all designed and optimized for mobile devices and WebRTC. Users can access and switch between collaboration tools in the middle of their conversations without the need to launch any other applications or load any other software. Its multitasking tools let users converse with up to six people, while simultaneously using other features such as SMS or screen sharing. It also includes features for switching between office and mobile calls, multi-party conferencing, chats, and screen sharing, as well as one-click conversation management.

"There is no shortage of sophisticated enterprise collaboration and videoconference tools, but too many are separate, proprietary applications that go unused," says GENBAND's CEO, David Walsh. "We deserve a single number that connects all of our devices, all of the time. When we want to share our screen with our team or start a video conference it should be easy to add our co-workers and partners as well as intuitive and instant. By embracing and implementing innovations like WebRTC, SMART OFFICE 2.0 assures that productivity and collaboration is always at users' fingertips."

According to Blair Pleasant, co-founder of UCStrategies, "While naysayers point out that the WebRTC standards have yet to be finalized, vendors like GENBAND are already positioning themselves as early market leaders. During a demonstration, Carl Baptiste, SVP Enterprise Solutions, showed me how easy it is to set up a conference on a tablet device, and escalating interactions from chat, to a voice call, and to a video call with doc sharing, all using the WebRTC-enabled browser, and without downloading a plug-in or software."

The design of SMART OFFICE 2.0 may make it appealing to companies with many mobile workers, or a BYOD policy that its employees are more than happy to follow. With the slow but steady rise of WebRTC, however, its ability to be accessed from a WebRTC-compliant web browser could very well make it a solution of choice for WebRTC early adopters.