Jacqueline Chan, Business Development at Ubiq, was a recent guest on the TechnologyAdvice Expert Interview Series. The series, which is hosted by TechnologyAdvice, explores a variety of business and technology landscapes through conversations with industry leaders.
In this episode we discuss video conferencing trends, the importance of smart watches, and beta testing.
Below are a few highlights from our conversation:
TA: With all the advancements in technology what is Ubiq looking to in the next few years?
 
Chan: There’s definitely so many things that we’re really excited about. We definitely notice one of the biggest trends is that in 2016, people are really moving to a collaborative setting and really focusing on user experience and making sure that their users are liking the products that are actually in their office setting right now. When new users are coming in, they expect things to be very simple, and they expect that things will actually work. That’s the biggest trend right now is just to have ease of use on both end users and IT.
 
TA: In terms of challenges, what are you guys helping customers to overcome with Ubiq?
 
Chan: One of the biggest problems I’ve noticed with some of our customers is that there’s just so many devices coming in to any meeting room or any organization in general, every single day. In the past two years, you can come in with a tablet now, smart phone, new computers, even the new macbook doesn’t even have a USB slot. It’s just really hard to monitor which devices are coming in and that’s something that we’re really trying to solve. Helping anyone with any device able to present without any extra adapters or really willing to accommodate with anyone.
 
TA: How do you do all of that while also creating a secure solution that gives IT what they need?
 
We actually have a cloud management dashboard where you’re really able to manage all the meeting rooms, really control what is going on in that specific meeting room at any given time. Our dashboard really gives you an idea of who is using it. You can manage the meeting room. You can update the unit, you can reboot the unit. All those different commands is actually able to be done on the dashboard. This is something that can really help IT and the team.
 
TA: Do you see Ubiq (or something similar) as something that almost every company will have deployed in 2020?
 
Chan: Yeah, for sure. Wireless presentation is just one step to our product. Right now we’re actually incorporating the digital signage component. And what the digital signage does is we can add campaigns to displays. You can add images, web links, videos, all that good stuff onto the display, so we’re not really just taking over a meeting room, we’re taking over all the displays.
 
On top of that for meeting rooms, what we’re envisioning in the future, there’s going to be external software, and meeting room tools, collaboration tools. That’s going to be an add-on to our device. That’s essentially our goal. We want to be that unified tool out there that can do multiple things.
 
TA: What are some of the big generational differences with wireless presenting? Is this something that Millennials are much more likely to adopt?
 
Chan: For sure. For sure. The younger the generation is, the more they are going to expect wireless presentation and they are actually going to be more prone to using it, and the adoption period is going to be a lot easier. But the challenge that comes along with it is that your product has to be stellar, because they’re going to be using a lot of different products, a lot of really good products, so having an easy to use product that will work all the time is the key for the younger generation that’s coming into the workforce.
 
TA: Speaking of the younger generation, I feel like sort of apart of that too, and a part of the technological transformation that we’re seeing right now, a big piece of that is smart devices. How do you see that fitting into the future workplace?
 
Chan: I actually think it’s happening already. The transition from laptops to tablets and smartphones, it’s happening right now – right before this year ends – it’s happening right now. Companies just have to be really fast to adapt to all of this, and in order to really adapt to it, they need to think of a solution such as wireless presentation that can really accommodate everyone, and especially smart phones. And the next thing we know you might need to find a solution for smart watches and having those smartwatches to be able to present. There’s just so many technologies coming out every day and you just don’t know what’s going to come out tomorrow.
This podcast was created and published by TechnologyAdvice, an Inc. 5000 company looking to help buyers find the best IT software, wireless presentation systems, and more. Interview conducted by Josh Bland.

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Podcasts are a popular way to pass the time, especially in the tech community. Techies can turn on a podcast and learn about the latest trends and tools like smart watches or wireless presentation software. Plus, they can listen to expert perspectives on how those tools are changing the IT and business landscape—all while making their daily commute or performing other tasks.
According to a recent study by Edison Research, at least 39 million people listen to podcasts each month. For tech professionals, there are an abundance of podcasts to choose from. A few, however, stand out from the rest.
This Week In Tech
This Week in Tech, also known as TWiT, is one of the most popular and longest running tech podcasts around. The show is hosted by Leo LaPorte and it brings in some of the top thought leaders in the IT world. Each week, special guests join LaPorte and share their perspectives on the biggest technology news and events.
Many IT professionals tune-in to this weekly show or know about it, so if there is one podcast on this list that you can’t miss out on, this is it. Also, if you want to learn even more you can check out TWiT TV to access a wide array of tech-related shows.
Daily Tech News Show
Technology is advancing rapidly. Every other day it seems like there is a new device, collaboration tool, software upgrade, or other digital phenomenon that is emerging. IT leaders are often expected to answer questions about what these new gadgets are and what they mean for the digital landscape.
For the IT professionals that are continuously asked, “What is this new tech…” from colleagues, you might want to check out the Daily Tech News Show. The show is similar to TWiT, but it covers technology on a daily basis, so you can keep up-to-date on the latest news.
TED Radio Hour
Today, CIOs and other IT leaders are not just the the go-to-executives for advice about technology. Many organizations are looking to them for advice about strategy and innovation as well—asking them questions that they wouldn’t have been expected to answer a few years ago.
TED Radio Hour by NPR is a great way for tech professionals to stay well-rounded. Similar to TED Talks, these weekly podcasts focus on innovative and exciting new products, projects, and other developments. The podcast usually has a specific theme each week and experts from around the world delve into the topic further, giving listeners some “food for thought.”
The Cloudcast
One of the lesser-known podcasts on this list, Cloudcast is a weekly podcast that is truly meant for tech professionals. Although it’s a little more technical than the other programs, it provides some interesting perspectives on emerging technologies that the non-expert may find valuable.
The show specifically discusses how certain technologies are changing business. Special guests from tech companies offer their opinions and advice on using emerging tools to complete IT initiatives.
 
Speaking In Tech
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Featuring hosts from some of the top brands in the world like Dell and Hitachi, Speaking in Tech is a lighthearted weekly podcast. During the podcast, the show’s hosts and big-name special guests answer tough, thought-provoking questions about new technologies.
This podcast is one of the best for IT professionals because it isn’t afraid to tackle questions like “How is the Internet of Things affecting us?” and “Has Tim Cook gone dongle crazy?” It may have a bit of a philosophical touch to it, but the show still manages to address real-life problems facing professionals and organizations today.
IT professionals are consistently asked for advice on the latest tech gadget or trend. Listening to podcasts is one of the best ways to learn about emerging industry trends. What are some of your favourite tech podcasts?
ADDITIONAL READING
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