Real-time communications are in demand for just about every user leveraging next-generation technologies. Too often, however, these users have to download plugins or other applications to ensure they can launch real-time communications that are both reliable and quality based. With the arrival of WebRTC, these obstacles are eliminated.
With the impending WebRTC Conference & Expo just around the corner, we wanted to get in touch with those who will be in attendance with a booth, serving on a panel, speaking to a group, or all of the above. The latest in the spotlight is Glen Gerhard, VP Product Management at Sansay.
While Sansay has not produced customer applications using WebRTC today, the company does use its applications to demo its technology and WebRTC gateways. With the growing demand for access to the technologies available through WebRTC, companies like Sansay recognize the value they can deliver for corporate and end users.
This is certainly creating new market opportunities, especially for those who recognize the need today and the innovations that can pave the way tomorrow. According to Gerhard, applications available through WebRTC will directly address the end user market and supplant SIP as the subscriber access protocol.
The company is adjusting its SIP SBC to include the WebRTC protocol as a way to provide a seamless transition for application services to use whichever protocol they prefer. This approach to the user experience is essential in adoption; especially as such a large portion of the consumer base has yet to become acquainted with WebRTC.
As bring your own device (BYOD) strategies gain more traction in the larger market, there is a role for WebRTC to play in this space. Gerhard shared, “The standardization of the endpoint into a simple thin client will allow more BYOD deployments. WebRTC will help Google since it is a technology leader among OS and browsers.”
Google’s focus in this space could also impact the involvement of others. While Chrome and Firefox already support of WebRTC, Microsoft and Apple have yet to get on board. Some in the industry suggest that this lack of support could drive usage in the industry. Gerhard believes users will actually have the last say. He suggests that both giants will have to eventually support WebRTC or realize the consequences of their resistance.
This isn’t to suggest that every device will eventually support WebRTC. Developers still have to look at demand, users, necessary applications and more. However, every browser is expected to adopt WebRTC. Gerhard suggests there will be proprietary extensions, but the core technology will definitely become ubiquitous.
For the enterprise, there will likely be a need for a specific implementation strategy to ensure the flexible environment can embrace the benefits associated with WebRTC. “The initial enterprise applications will be very specific,” Gerhard said. “However, the long term outlook is for any communication device to be WebRTC based with local or hosted session control.”
At the same time, data channel capabilities will expand the multimedia experience for a number of solutions. This is one of the key benefits to WebRTC driving the demand among enterprise users and eventually consumers. While this will be a considerable value add, it could also cause a significant security risk and inhibit early adoption, especially in the enterprise. Work will need to be done in this space, but the revenue opportunities are certainly in place.
We are still at the tip of WebRTC adoption. As Gerhard refers to it, we’re in the bowling alley in the first frame of the game. While some may point to the absence of players such as Microsoft and Apple, the education of the typical end user, or really the lack thereof, is the key gap in this space. As WebRTC continues to evolve, however, this is likely to quickly change. So too will the need for native apps as they will migrate to HTML5 and WebRTC.
Events like the WebRTC Conference & Expo certainly help to drive the growth of the community. Gerhard agrees that it’s helpful to discuss implementation options with other developers and identify differences as well as the potential impact these developments will have on carrier infrastructures.
Sansay will be on hand as a platinum sponsor, as well as speaking at the event. Its focus will be on the impact WebRTC will have on the provider infrastructure required for media and signaling. Gerhard and his team are excited to meet with customers and partners. As for what he hopes attendees will learn, it’s “how Sansay can help service providers deploy large scale applications that have the connectivity, reliability and manageability their customers expect.”
Want to learn more about Sansay? Then be sure to attend WebRTC Conference & Expo, Nov. 19-21 in Santa Clara, Calif., and visit the company at booth #304. Stay in touch with everything happening at WebRTC Conference & Expo. Follow us on Twitter.
Edited by
Rachel Ramsey
