The emergence of cloud computing and the proliferation of smartphones, tablets and other advanced mobile devices in the workplace have forever changed the telecommunications landscape. Although many of these transitions were initiated in 2012, their impact will leave a lasting mark and carry into 2013 and the years that follow.
In many cases, these technologies have changed the office phone system from a land line solution to a mobile or VoIP service. Additionally, the ongoing use of video and social tools in the consumer setting has led the private sector to embrace these solutions to keep employees satisfied.
These trends were highlighted in a recent report by Help Net Security, which forecast some of the major telecom transformations that will happen in 2013.
The explosion of BYOD continues
Bring your own device (BYOD) is among the most disruptive forces to hit the private sector in some time and will leaving a lasting impression on the business world. Help Net Security said the BYOD trend really picked up speed in 2012, though many decision-makers were still relatively hesitant to adopt programs because of concern over exposing mission-critical information through unprotected endpoints.
In 2013, many of these concerns will dissipate as executives iron out their BYOD programs to eliminate risk, Help Net Security noted.
A separate study by Movius echoed the prolific emergence of BYOD in 2012, which was largely driven by the use of smartphones in the workplace and decision-makers' need to adapt.
"As mobility became more attractive to end-users and increased work efficiency, tensions arose between IT departments which wanted to secure and preserve enterprise IT assets and, just as importantly, employees who wanted to use one device for both work and personal use whilst maintaining their privacy," said Jose Romero, director of marketing and technology at Movius.
Business phone systems of the future will have mobility plans incorporated within them, allowing organizations to embrace BYOD more efficiently.
Voice is no longer the only way to communicate
In addition to the ongoing need to support mobile platforms, decision-makers are finding it increasingly important to provide employees with multiple channels of communication. While voice is still among the primary ways to interact with customers, colleagues and partners, it is no longer the only option.
The introduction of social media, instant messaging and video conferencing to the consumer landscape made individuals more familiar with alternative means of collaboration. Inevitably, this led to another form of consumerization in which companies were forced to deploy a unified communications system that gives employees options in regard to cooperation.
Innovation in the telecom landscape will invariably invite change to how the private sector works on a daily basis. As mobile, video and cloud communications continue to emerge and give decision-makers creative ways to collaborate, the business world will perpetually evolve to leverage these solutions without problems.
In 2013, a new wave of communication will emerge and only firms willing to adapt will lead the way.