The blistering pace of innovation in wireless has many companies evaluating build versus buy decisions as they look for ways to enter new markets. GenBand has a third approach: partnerships. The networking and cloud communications leader is known for strong partnerships; now the company is bringing together 20 companies to create new market opportunities by combining technologies and leveraging relationships.
The roster of GenBand’s Innovation Exchange partners offers a snapshot of some of the most important emerging trends in communications technology. Heavyweights like Samsung, Intel and IBM are joining niche software companies that address markets as diverse as digital signage, clinical transcription, and call center management. “Companies approached us and wanted to be part of it,” said GenBand CMO Sam Waicberg, “but we were very selective.”
Samsung and GenBand are already partners; in February they announced a deal to integrate GenBand’s unified communications solution with Samsung’s tablets for enterprise customers.
“We chose GenBand because of the thought leadership that they bring to the market,” said Tim Wagner, VP of enterprise sales for Samsung. “We could work with anybody. We chose GenBand for a reason.”
Together the Innovation Exchange companies are trying to create new products and solutions for service providers and enterprises. GenBand said it already has 50 new customer engagements as a result of the Innovation Exchange. A complete list of the Innovation Exchange charter members and their contributions to the partnership is below.
Samsung (devices and software)
IBM (system integration)
Intel (retail solutions)
Arrow S3 (systems integration)
X Factor Communications (digital signage solutions)
PolyCom (video conferencing)
CounterPath (SIP-based solutions for service providers and enterprises)
SmartTrac (radio frequency identification tags)
T-Metrics (call center technology)
M*Modal (clinical transcription and speech recognition)
RapidScale (managed cloud computing)
mPortal (cloud-based delivery of television content to mobile devices)
UXP Systems (multiscreen enablement for telecom and cable operators)
Mandiant (mobile security solutions)
Zecurion (data loss prevention)
Avnet (electronics components)
IP Trade trading room technology delivered through IP-PBX vendors’ solutions.
Voxeo interactive voice response software for customer service applications
Netas Turkish telecom equipment and IT services company
