As smartphones continue to be the mobile device of choice, the competition is heating up as to which smartphone will dominate the market. According to Chad Behling of
RockBochs Inc., Google Android presents considerable value, but has a lot of work to do to catch up with Apple’s (
News -
Alert)
iPhone. Behling recently talked with
TMCnet’s Rich Tehrani (
News -
Alert) and shared his insights on 2009, innovation moving forward and what to expect out of 2010.
In terms of the adoption of wideband codecs, Behling believes it will take a few years for this adoption to be widespread. As for the most innovative products hitting the market in 2010, Behling believes the Freeswitch/FreePBX integration will be extremely valuable.
In reflecting on 2009, RockBochs enjoyed tremendous growth thanks in part to the slow economy. In more prosperous times, companies would purchase IBX’s from large manufacturers. Now, they are looking for ways to cut costs and companies like RockBochs are able to meet this need. When assessing the performance of Obama thus far, Behling is disappointed that he has not seen more of the “Change” that was promised emphatically in his candidacy. If he were to be the next president, Behling would immediately look at the feasibility of migrating to more open source technologies.
As for market growth in the next few years, Behling expects that VoIP will continue to grow as bandwidth increases and users adjust to declining analog lines. When asked why customers should choose solutions from RockBochs, Behling noted that their solutions are not only well designed, but also supported by extremely talented engineers.
Their conversation follows:
Rich Tehrani: Smartphones continue to rise, find their ways into offices and homes alike. Who will dominate that market and why?
Chad Behling: I see a lot of value in what Google is doing with the Android (
News -
Alert) operating system, but I think it will take a bit to catch up with what Apple has done with the iPhone.
RT: We hear more and more about high-definition voice features in IP communications products and services. What is going to drive wideband audio and HD VoIP into the mainstream market? How long will it take?
CB: I think it will take at least a few years to see widespread adoption of wideband codecs. They require either more DSP processing or more bandwidth to operate, and for many people, standard narrowband codecs are simply “good enough”.
RT: What’s the most innovative product that’s going to hit the market in 2010, from a company other than your own?
CB: I think the Freeswitch/FreePBX integration will be extremely valuable to the market as a whole.
RT: We entered 2009 in a recession and now we’re seeing signs of the economy picking up. How did the slow economy affect demand for your products and services and what are you anticipating in 2010?
CB: We have been experiencing tremendous growth over the past few years, due in part to the slow economy. Businesses that would, in the past, purchase IP-PBX’s (
News -
Alert) from large manufacturers are now looking at ways to cut costs. We fully expect to continue our explosive growth path into 2010.
RT: President Barack Obama has been in office for nearly a year. What has surprised you, whether a pleasant surprise or disappointment, about his presidency, policies and administration?
CB: I was hoping for more of the “Change” he was constantly speaking about during his candidacy, but so far I have not found much. It continues to be business as usual.
RT: If you were president of the United States, what tech-friendly policies would you enact?
CB: I would immediately look at the feasibility of migrating the government to more open source technologies. Proprietary systems are simply far too costly to maintain.
RT: What are some of the areas of market growth in the next few years?
CB: VoIP will continue to grow as bandwidth increases and users adjust to the lack of analog lines.
RT: I understand you are exhibiting Jan. 20 to 22 at ITEXPO East 2010 in Miami. What will you show there? Describe the companies or people who should come to your exhibit.
CB: There will be two facets to our exhibit in Miami:
Hardware Appliance
We will be showcasing our line of PhoneBochs IP-PBX’s for resellers and distributors. They are fully compatible with most open source PBX’s, as well as Sangoma TDM hardware.
FaxxBochs
FaxxBochs is a revolutionary new concept with regards to fax over IP. We have designed our own fax technology that virtually guarantees reliable fax over any connection. This technology applies to: ITSP’s, Resellers, Distributors, Consultants, Carriers, etc.
Embedded x86-based Appliance
We are currently developing a Small Board Computer that can function as an inexpensive CPE device to handle routing, firewalling, VoIP, FoIP, etc. It is entirely x86 based, and includes 4 FXO/FXS headers onboard for telephony applications. This technology applies to: ITSP’s, Resellers, Distributors, Consultants, Carriers, etc.
RT: Why should customers choose your company’s solutions? How do they justify the expense to management?
CB: Our solutions are well designed, with extremely talented engineers behind them.
To find out more about Rockbochs, visit the company at ITEXPO East 2010. To be held Jan. 20 to 22 in Miami, ITEXPO (News - Alert) is the world’s premier IP communications event. Visit COMPANY in booth #426. Don’t wait. Register now.
Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by
Amy Tierney
