Outlook presented on presenter engagement, collaboration solutions, cloud-based approaches


Polycom Korea, a unified communications company, has announced its outlook on the video collaboration market for 2016.

Polycom identified the following trends to watch in next year's video collaboration market: ▲distribution of high-function collaboration solutions that enhance presenter engagement to increase efficiency in meetings and collaboration ▲expansion of cloud-based collaboration solutions ▲securing business intelligence by analyzing big data containing information about collaboration solution usage patterns ▲generalization of simple and easy-to-use collaboration solutions that require no separate user training ▲popularization of content sharing and utilization for business progress leveraging cloud technology.

The detailed contents of Polycom's "Five Major Trends in Video Collaboration for 2016" are as follows.

Distribution of Solutions Enhancing Presenter Engagement and Collaboration Efficiency


Fundamentally, as can be seen from dinner conversations, pre-game strategy meetings, and brainstorming sessions for problem-solving and new ideas, natural human collaboration and interaction have traditionally occurred in round-table settings. However, traditional video collaboration systems positioned participants in a line on both ends of a rectangular conference table, which further narrowed the field of vision for interaction among members.
Recently, as people-centric collaboration has been emphasized, collaboration solutions designed to fit natural work patterns have gained attention. Solutions necessary for collaboration such as cameras and displays are shifting toward conference room-centered deployments. Additionally, these solutions are equipped with various features including intelligent 360-degree video technology supporting human-centric collaboration, automatic mute, noise suppression, and technology that automatically detects and zooms in on speakers, thereby facilitating intuitive collaboration.

Expansion of Cloud-Based Collaboration Solutions

According to the "Cloud Adoption & Risk Report" released by cloud security company Skyhigh Networks in the fourth quarter this year, the number of cloud-based solutions typically used by general enterprises for collaboration and resource sharing exceeds 1,100. Cloud-based collaboration applications are expected to continue increasing in the future. In cloud environments, video, voice, and content can be easily integrated, and cloud collaboration solutions do not require separate software deployment, enabling vendors to supply solutions quickly and conveniently to many customers. Most importantly, since all solution upgrades and improvements are conducted at a single central data center, consistent and professional technical support is possible.

Securing Business Intelligence by Analyzing Big Data on Collaboration Solution Usage Patterns

As securing business intelligence through big data utilization becomes increasingly important, many enterprises are investing in technology to collect and properly leverage data. The same applies to the collaboration field. Starting in 2016, it is expected that the ways people use collaboration solutions and their reasons for use can be analyzed in real-time. Going forward, analysis will extend beyond simple numerical metrics such as meeting time and conference room utilization rates to identify preferred work methods of employees, types and characteristics of applications used by employees, and difficulties employees encounter while performing their duties.

Such information helps optimize business operations and create work environments capable of improving productivity. Additionally, collaboration solution providers can use such data to eliminate unused features and develop innovative capabilities that customers require.

Generalization of Simple and Easy-to-Use Collaboration Solutions

Today's workers are already a generation that comfortably utilizes IT technology. They continuously demand innovative products and technologies, and user expectations rise as solutions released on the market perform increasingly better. Simultaneously, people require intuitive and simple usage methods to fully understand and use solutions. Therefore, for collaboration solution usage to become an everyday practice, the use of collaboration solutions must be easy, convenient, and intuitive. Accordingly, many recently launched collaboration solutions feature simplified usage that requires no separate user training, and this trend is expected to continue in the future.

Popularization of Content Sharing and Utilization for Business Using Cloud Technology

The volume and variety of content used in business continues to increase, and accordingly, modifying, producing, and sharing it becomes increasingly complex. Solutions to address this complexity and facilitate easier content management are essential. Content is no longer simply material displayed on screens but rather output created by knowledge workers and the most important asset in collaboration. Within a few years, solutions that help employees manage and share content more easily and conveniently will emerge, and these are likely to be mostly cloud-based solutions. The future work environment will be characterized by the ability to retrieve, view, edit, save, and share content anytime and anywhere, whether from personal devices, cloud storage, or physical content existing in offices.