Well, maybe not exactly, but it is reminiscent of the late 1980s when Microsoft was pushing Windows on PCs with a graphical interface, for business use. Many companies, my former employer included, felt the “Personal Computer” would never replace mini-computers. (Remember when mini-computers reigned?) Many of those companies no longer exist or they are certainly not the same as they once were.
I see a similar thing playing out in Facebook’s acquisition of WhatsApp. When you look at how it works, using the same Internet plan you use for email and browsing without additional costs like you would have for standard text messaging using SMS. I look beyond this and see folks sitting in coffee shops, parks, and many other paces where they have Wi-Fi access from their home carrier. Companies like Bright House Networks for example, now provide wireless access throughout the country and as long as you are their customer, you can get to the Internet. Even when traveling abroad, if you can connect to the Internet from your hotel room, meeting room, or remote office, you can chat, or have a live video session at no additional cost. As a result, there is no need to use up your data plan on your smartphone. Oh yes, many are using Skype or similar products to talk with their friends and families.
In my view, the connection between the 1980s and now is that cellular carriers are looking in the rear view mirror to see what is coming up behind them. Perhaps, just like those companies of old who did not take the PC seriously, they have not taken apps like Skype, and now WhatsAPP, seriously. It is obvious Facebook sees the value and potential and I am looking forward to see how it all plays out. I do see a change on the horizon. What it is and how it will come to be, I am not sure as yet, but I know it is coming.
What say you? Do you have a story to tell? What are your thoughts on this topic? Do you have a topic of interest you would like discussed in this forum? Let me know. If you are looking for some great research information from our industry, feel free to visit our research site and download some of our Industry Watch Reports today at www.aiim.org/research
Bob Larrivee, Director of Custom Research – AIIM
Email me: blarrivee@aiim.org
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www.aiim.org/training
I will be speaking and teaching at the following events:
• 2014 AIIM Conference, April 1-3, 2014 in Orlando, FL
• Fusion 2014, May 5-8, 2014 in Dallas, TX
• NIRMA 2014, August 10-13, 2014 in Las Vegas, NV