A recent report suggests that IDInvest is putting another $3 million into Weemo, the video collaboration solution that allows users to build a video conferencing system directly into a variety of applications just by adding a few lines of code. But considering the larger state of the Web-based real time communications (WebRTC) market--of which Weemo's product line could be called a part--the larger question here is, ‘Why is IDInvest dropping this kind of money on Weemo?”
Weemo's API looks to offer up essentially the standard array of functions for WebRTC applications in the field, but is set to do it in something of an unusual way. Weemo is out to offer the REST API via a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model, which would require those looking to integrate the API into individual apps to pay Weemo to do so.
This is the part that's left a lot of people unnerved. Not only has IDInvest put another $3 million into this model, this brings Weemo--formerly Wimo--up to $5 million in total investment. Of course, Weemo's going to need all the investment it can get its hands on, because there is a surprisingly large number of other companies in that market space. Vidyo is in there, as is Avaya, not to mention the juggernauts of Cisco and Microsoft. What's more, actually getting into this market space doesn't seem to be terribly complex, so more competitors may well show up over the next several months to attempt to carve out some niches.
Indeed, there's certainly plenty of room in the market, with a growing number of companies using this technology in a variety of products. Companies run the range from the massive Google all the way to comparatively tiny Videodesk, and applications range from productivity tools to games. With all these possibilities in place, it's easy to see why many companies would want to get involved. Weemo, however, is reportedly out to use that SaaS model for its software, leading some to wonder just what's behind that model. Getting people to pay for Weemo's service is going to require some significant differentiation to show the value proposition here, so what is it about Weemo that's so valuable that users will pay to bring it in?
Some have projected that Weemo can make a competitive edge out of ease of use, as Weemo has previously been seen making "headway" with customers that don't much care for how Microsoft's Skype is working with the current line of professional tools. Additionally, some point to improved affordability over some of the other players in the field, as Weemo charges per user. But with companies like Tokbox in the picture, Weemo's comparative affordability may not be sufficient.
Naturally, Weemo is still under development. It may well be that Weemo has something waiting up its sleeve to pull out on the larger market that will give it a value the other companies can't touch. Just what this mystery feature actually is, though, is as yet unclear. Still, it's very much worth watching to see just what Weemo can pull out of the hat and bring into play to keep itself ahead of the rapidly growing field that is WebRTC.
Edited by
Rachel Ramsey
