We’re ending the year by identifying key technologies you don’t want to overlook in 2019. First, we evaluated conference room cameras, then we tackled collaboration screens. In today’s blog, we again went to Ingram Micro’s in-house UCC experts—Curt Vurpillat and Chad Simon—to learn more about the latest conference room audio trends. Here are 5 trends to watch:

In our last blog, we looked at conference room camera technology to watch in 2019. Continuing our series, we again asked two of Ingram Micro’s in-house UCC experts—Curt Vurpillat and Chad Simon—to discuss the latest collaboration screen technology. If your customers are seeking new ways to work together more efficiently and effectively, here are some things to look for and products you might want to consider.

As we approach the end of the year, it’s always fun to evaluate the current landscape and identify what opportunities we can expect in the future. In the first of a series of upcoming blogs, we asked two of Ingram Micro’s in-house UCC experts—Curt Vurpillat and Chad Simon—to discuss hot videoconference camera trends to keep an eye on in 2019.

IT solution providers today have a few great options when it comes to hosting and delivering their UCC solutions. While on-premises, or on-prem, used to be the standard (and remains a viable choice), cloud alternatives have improved by leaps and bounds, creating a compelling choice for most applications. Riding the line between the two is a hybrid approach where some UCC technology resides in the cloud while others remain on-premises. Let’s take a closer look at the merits and challenges associated with each.

An often-overlooked and under-valued step in the rollout of a UCC solution is network assessment. Time and again we hear of problems that could have been caught and addressed if precautionary measures were taken before a technology order was even placed. As more UCC solutions move to the cloud and customers seek to leverage their wireless networks, it’s even more critical to take the time to make sure the network is adequate and properly configured. Here’s some advice to make sure you don’t make avoidable mistakes when it comes to wireless implementations.

We’ve all been in the situation where a client asks us if we can help them with a problem that would require technology or skills outside our core competency. We’re then forced to either pass up on what could be a nice opportunity because we don’t have the expertise or to risk taking the business on and winging it.

UCC may not be the first technology that comes to mind when you think of security compromises, but there’s still a potential risk. No one thought 1.5 million IP video cameras could be used as a botnet to mount a DDoS attack until it happened in 2016. Rather than wait for something to happen, it’s best to plan for the worst, especially when you consider these three truths:

Today’s hypercompetitive business landscape requires organizations of all types and sizes to provide exceptional customer service. One critical area where customers can have either good or poor experiences is a company’s call center. Even if your clients consider themselves customer-focused, they might fall short of expectations if their call centers lack these technology features, integrations and AI-powered capabilities.

When you think about the most lucrative verticals for selling UCC solutions, the public sector doesn’t immediately jump to mind. That’s changing. As state and local governments, public works departments, public safety officials and others look to increase efficiencies, reduce costs and better serve the community, any technologies that can help are of interest.

Changes in the healthcare market over the past decade have created amazing opportunities for IT solution providers. With today’s strong focus on improving patient care and outcomes, IT investments aimed at lowering costs, making healthcare more accessible and increasing the effectiveness of treatment will get the attention of healthcare decision makers.

Google grabbed a lot of headlines last month at its I/O event when it showed how Google Duplex, an AI-based text-to-speech assistant, can book appointments on your behalf. Check out the following demonstration from the event.