Technology to undergo democratization with Collaboration solutions in 2020

With millions of people working from home amid the COVID-19 outbreak, demands for Collaboration solutions/video conferencing tools and software are touching the sky. Vendors who are into this segment have kept their eyes on increasing demands in different verticals. They are even closely analyzing how they can able to maintain the supply and demands of products and strategies with channel partners. In an interaction with DQ Channels, Faiz Rehman, National Business Head, Barco India shared his view on IT trends and how Braco India helping customers and channel partners during the current situation with Barco's solutions.

What are the different IT demand trends in Enterprise, SMB, and Commercial segments?

At present, the biggest IT demand trend, across enterprises and organizations, relates to collaboration. With the lockdown in place and social distancing being followed across geographies, employees must collaborate, virtually, to ensure business continuity and productivity. All of us need to be connected to contribute. In this scenario, cloud-based collaboration platforms will remain in demand.

Another trend that is picking up is wireless collaboration. This innovative technology - positioned towards Bring Your Meeting - empowers end consumers to be in control and provides them with the freedom to use existing devices, tools, collaboration platforms, and peripherals, more efficiently. We expect this novel concept to transform the collaboration space.

In the visualization space, a technology that is capturing attention is LED displays. Bringing high-resolution images and extra brightness to indoor spaces, LED displays are optimally applicable in museums and large spaces. The technology is also used in control rooms and command centers being created across the country. Consumers are also greatly interested in bezel-less, LCD video walls with an auto-color calibration function, and easy maintenance. Innovative and completely seamless video walls are ensuring unrivaled image quality, precise installation, reliability, and ease-of-servicing.

We expect technology to undergo democratization in 2020. We are looking at agnostic peripherals, devices, and platforms that enable wireless collaboration across the globe. Solutions aimed at making online education frictionless, are also likely to see increased uptake this year. We will see intelligent, robust, and engaging technology across Enterprise, SMB, and Commercial segments.

How is Barco India helping these segments with its solutions?

Barco India has been the frontrunner in collaboration technology. We initiated the trend of wireless collaboration in a big way and, with ClickShare Conference, Barco has entered the Unified Communications space. Barco’s solution is now completing USB peripherals and platforms, adding functionality and value to collaborative experiences and meetings across the globe.

Moving to video walls and LED displays, several smart cities, and control rooms in India already use Barco products for viewing data in an optimized manner. Our displays are also utilized by cinemas, museums, music concerts, and corporate events to provide an awe-inspiring visual experience to the audience. We have also leveraged our classroom solution weConnect which allows educational organizations to take the next step towards transformational teaching and learning.

As the pace of digitization is accelerating every day, Barco is ensuring to provide essential and reliable solutions to support companies’ visualization and collaboration needs.

 How is Barco India managing the supply and demands of its solutions to customers and Channel Partners?

Barco is a B2B service provider and hence, the channel is of paramount importance to us as our partners ensure that our technology reaches the end consumer. Our channel partners are completely attuned to our philosophy of enabling bright outcomes for the end consumers and ensure that Barco’s solutions and services are made readily accessible across the country. We follow different channel strategies for our various verticals, including the three-tier and the two-tier approach. For the enterprise segment, we have over 200 well-trained channel partners in India.

Our partners never have to worry about the supply and demand equation. Our strategy has always been to strengthen and comfort our partner base and to ensure that Barco is there to complete them rather than compete with them. We believe it is our responsibility to keep adequate stock of goods. Usually, Barco has enough stock, across product categories, to service country-wide demand for 2 months. We are always prepared to meet customer requirements and deliver in tight timelines. Our dedication to customer service is one of the main reasons we have been able to create a niche in the Indian market.