We recently interviewed Michael Storella – the COO at snomTechnology Inc. to get his take on recent market developments. snom technology AG was founded in Berlin in 1996, and the company is focused on developing and producing SIP-based VoIP telephones for business communications. snom maintains a presence in more than 40 countries around the world.
Storella confirmed several trends that we have heard echoed by others in the industry. First, the demand for SIP-based phones continues to grow; snom continues to see a growing demand for their products along with expectations that phone features will continue to evolve. Second, the demand for Microsoft Lync support also continues to grow worldwide following a growth spurt already evident in the Americas. Third, the demand for hosted and cloud-based VoIP systems is also growing, especially among in the small to medium business (SMB) market sector. And fourth, customers are increasingly interested in a phone that can connect via WiFi to a wireless LAN; snom has seen this feature gain in popularity, with site installations counting hundreds of desktops supported without the need for Ethernet cabling.
To keep up with its customer expectations, snom has been working to broaden its Lync integration and add Lync-compatible features. The company has new firmware in place that will offer deeper integration between the desk phone and the PC. Called “Better Together,” the enhancements include better computer/ phone integration to place calls on hold, create ad hoc conferences, click to dial, and transfer calls. These enhancements are in beta now, with general availability planned for later this year. Other changes to the portfolio include optimized HP business phones, lower TCO (with VoIP phones that are under $100) and a hardware warranty that is good for two years.
Our thanks to Mr. Storella for sharing his industry insights and his company’s roadmap.