Genband is revving up its efforts to move beyond the carrier space and into the enterprise via a new partnership with Samsung, in which Genband's Smart Office UC applications will be natively included on Samsung's enterprise-focused mobile devices.
Genband said its Smart Office software, a suite of cloud-based UC applications for voice, data and video collaboration, will be included in all Samsung mobile devices bearing the company's SAFE -- Samsung Approved For Enterprise -- distinction. As part of a broader strategy Samsung launched in 2011 to boost enterprise adoption of its Android-based smartphones and tablets, SAFE designates Samsung devices that include enterprise-specific features related to security, VPN access and more.
The new Genband-Samsung alliance represents the latest effort on Genband's part to push its carrier-class infrastructure solutions and applications into the hands of enterprise users. According to the Frisco, Texas-based company, its new partnership with Samsung will be key as BYOD and the consumerization of IT drive traditionally consumer-focused mobile devices into the enterprise.
[Related: Samsung Halts U.S. Windows RT Tablet Plans]
"Enterprise communications are quickly evolving to include mobile devices and the cloud, yet services are not integrated, making enterprises primed for the next wave of disruptive, innovative mobile UC technologies,” said Sam Waicberg, chief marketing officer at Genband, in a statement. "Our relationship with Samsung, complemented by our Smart multimedia portfolio and partner ecosystem, clearly differentiates this solution from competitive offerings by simplifying and enhancing the enterprise user experience.
"Our vision is consistent with the vision of many CIOs -- a mobile tablet as the primary voice and multimedia communications device bundled with a carrier-grade, cloud-based UC service," Waicberg continued.
To fuel its push into the enterprise space, Genband last year made significant updates to its channel program, aimed at on-boarding more traditionally enterprise-focused VARs and system integrators.
Genband said it initially will be reselling the Samsung mobile devices featuring its Smart Office applications, including the Android-based Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet, and that it expects partners to be able to resell the devices soon.
"With the new Smart Office solution from Samsung and Genband, our partners can deploy a solution tailored to their enterprise customers' individual requirements. Genband expects that its channel partners will be fully engaged in promoting, fulfilling and supporting this solution," Waicberg said an emailed statement to CRN.
PUBLISHED FEB. 20, 2013
