Cardiff, UK – 8 May, 2024, Five million more users are set to join the cloud collaboration bandwagon over the coming years as the race to win new customers intensifies.
That was one of many key findings from the Evolve IP (EMEA) Partner Day which attracted over 150 people from across Europe to the Williams Formula 1 Experience Centre near Oxford.
The audience heard how the carrier-grade cloud collaboration specialist is in pole position in an increasingly ‘cloud provider v cloud provider’ battle – where traditional on-premise alternatives are being overtaken in a world of super-charged UCaaS solutions, driven by AI.
By 2028 cloud communication adoption is estimated to rise to 15.9m from 10.9m users this year, reaching 88.3% penetration in a market worth £1.86bn.
Will To Win
Paul Harrison, Evolve IP’s EMEA Managing Director, opened the annual event and highlighted how the company and industry in general share many synergies with Formula 1 racing.
“We’re not afraid to push the boundaries, drive forward and adapt just like F1, based on a best-of-breed eco system of partners that keep innovating too. The investment, the drive and the passion to be the best, beat the best and strive to achieve is very similar to all of you here today and the team at Evolve IP. We want to win. We want to be the best. Just like a race team we’re evolving all the time and never stop, nor does the competition.”
He emphasised how Evolve IP’s international network is live in 57 countries, providing resellers with a one-stop shop central resource. It is also an ethical and sustainable company with a carbon neutral vision to inspire others to join them on the journey.
Harrison pointed out how there are currently 107 UK cloud providers, where Evolve IP is part of a dominant top 10 holding over 60% market share. The audience also heard how ‘second-generation’ users are making up more and more of the market switching from a competitor’s solution rather than coming from on-premise PBX migrations.
Which specialist has the best UCaaS solutions will prove crucial in the future, as the race to win new customers increases in a ‘cloud v cloud provider’ battle. His views were inspired by research from market analysts the Cavell Group, who outlined during a presentation how millions more users are on the way – and why developing market maturity means differentiating from other cloud solutions is becoming more important.
Marriage
Evolve IP’s UK Sales Director, Jamie Hughes, highlighted the importance of collaborative partnerships which he described as ‘a bit like a marriage’ based on being agile and addressing different needs.
“We’re listening, improving and investing in our team all the time,” he remarked and revealed how retail, hospitality, education and healthcare plus an ‘untapped’ Cisco opportunity is where the company is targeting growth.
Guest speakers from Cisco and Dubber discussed how AI will ‘super-charge’ communications whilst panel discussions focused on the challenges and opportunities ahead, plus where existing partners are winning big.
Evolve IP Solutions Director, Scott Rixon, presented a Live Technology Newsletter featuring the company’s latest Anywhere Portal developments, plus why a sustainable supply chain should start with the end point, such as a Jabra headset with replaceable parts.
Various Webex improvements to enhance the meeting experience were also discussed during the day alongside PCI compliance, enhanced training and Fixed Mobile Convergence trends.
Pit Stop Challenge
Exhibition stands from key sponsors were combined with a heritage museum tour, racing simulators, giant Scalextric track and a pit stop challenge, where teams battled against the clock to change all four tyres of a Grand Prix car.
The action-packed event ended with an awards ceremony and more networking, fun and games including a magician. It was supported by technology partners Akixi, iTel, Dubber, Enghouse Interactive, Broadsource, Snom, PromptVoice, PRD Intelligence, Jabra, Yealink, Tango Networks, Mondago and The Institute of Telecommunications Professionals.
Harrison concluded: “Formula 1 and Evolve IP are both striving to lead from the front. It was a very rewarding day and we’d like to extend a big thank you to all our partners and suppliers, including visitors from the Netherlands, who we hope are now in pole position to drive their businesses further forward with our support.”
