Interoperability is the ability for a solution or software tool to exchange data and operate in conjunction with other solutions or software tools. When it comes to video conferencing software, interoperability describes a solution's ability to send and receive video, audio and presentation data with other solutions, regardless of which manufacturer created them and without disrupting the conference call.
Interoperability is an important feature for video conference providers, due to a growing number of platforms and importance in unified communication. While interoperability improves user experience and communication effectiveness, many providers develop and offer proprietary solutions that make multi-platform exchange tools and software difficult to successfully release and manage.
The industry has historically disagreed on the definition of interoperability for video conferencing, and how and when it would be achievable. Logitech wrote publicly in 2016 about the "Death of Video Conferencing Interop," but at the 2020 Microsoft Ignite event, the top three conferencing platform vendors (Microsoft, Cisco, and Zoom) stated intention to produce true interoperability at Microsoft Ignite.
Recent developments have increased the use of single-touch room system control panels, which grant access to a range of meeting solutions (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Cisco Webex) to ensure teams and guests have consistent and easy-to-join workflow, regardless of existing service. Zoom and Microsoft have worked together to enhance conference room interoperability and simplify third-party meetings. As video conferencing has grown in importance, development of video conferencing interoperability between conference room solutions and streamlined meeting experiences has also increased.
Zoom Rooms and Microsoft Teams meetings began interoperability in early 2020 without the purchase of additional licenses or third-party services. The offering allows Microsoft Teams and Zoom users to join each other's meetings on their room systems as guests with high-quality audio and video. The meeting functionality includes direct cross-platform tools from either room system. Microsoft, Cisco, and Zoom all currently have agreements for interoperability.
Some video conferencing vendors also offer in-app integrations to their platforms, which allow end-users to join meetings or create a meeting on a different platform from within their platforms.These third-party partners are beneficial to end-users, especially those who have an existing installed base of legacy conferencing systems (VTCs). Operators can continue to use the VTCs to join cloud meetings, while also transitioning to modern native room systems over time.
In addition to third-party services, platform providers also offer 'gateway' services. These include Microsoft Teams' Cloud Video Interop (or CVI) gateway services and Zoom's Conference Room Connector, which enables traditional SIP or H.323 endpoints to join a Zoom meeting.
Solutions segments are expected to account for the largest share of the overall video conferencing market in 2021. Solutions segmentation includes hardware endpoints and software required for video conferencing such as Zoom or Google Meets. Adoption of room conferencing meetings increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and has driven demand for multi-codec and single-codec endpoints, such as cameras, phones, and microphones. In addition, the growing adoption of cloud-based software, including Zoom, Teams, WebEx, and Meet, and the daily increase in subscriptions is expected to drive the growth of this segment.
Based on organization size, the small and medium businesses (SMEs) segment are expected to account for the largest share of the overall video conferencing market in 2021. SMEs have widely adopted easy subscription modules and pay-per-use, with most SMEs currently using a single preferred video conferencing tool to communicate with teams members, customers, clients, and vendors. Interoperable video conferencing tools allow small businesses to easily contact and communicate with outside organizations, contract workers, or tertiary team members that may use different video platforms. This allows tasks, projects and and goals to be achieved faster due to seamless video communication.
