The next generation of IP communications applications and devices will be better than what we have seen to date. Integration is something we will see more and more of as IP allows voice, once and for all, to be integrated into the fabric of communications as well as the infrastructure of organizations, operating systems, and myriad computing environments.
 
It is the ubiquity of IP that makes it possible for VoIP to integrate so well with its “peers,” instant messaging and video.
 
In two weeks, the world’s IP communications developers will converge in Santa Clara California for the annual VoIP Developer conference, known to many as VoIP Devcon.
 
This particular event is exciting for the industry, as numerous key companies will be making major developer announcements and holding developer events in conjunction with the show. Avaya, for example, will hold its Developer Day on Monday, August 7^th, and Ubiquity will host a solution day focusing on topics such as SOA, media server applications, and business opportunities for developers.
 
AOL also will have a slew of developer sessions regarding AIM Phoneline that will be worth attending – but I am under NDA, so I can’t tell you more… You will have to come to the show to learn the details.
 
SIP Foundry, too, will have a conference track at this show, with a total of five sessions focusing on topics from SIP user agents to SIP security and more.
 
Other notable event participants include AudioCodes, Cantata, Aculab, Data Connection, LignUp, Eicon, Trinity Convergence, Texas Instruments, Sangoma, Intel, and Digium. In addition, there will be networking events sponsored by Global IP Sound and Avaya. For a complete list, check out the Web site.
 
As IP PBX features become more and more similar, the differentiating factor in the PBX space becomes the development environment provided by the IP PBX vendors. Similar to the PC space in the 1980s and the OS space since the dawn of time, whichever company has the most partners developing custom applications will win the war.
 
While many PBX companies have developer programs, not all companies are focusing enough attention on attracting developers to these programs – some companies are half-heartedly looking for developers to join their programs. In contrast, Avaya and Inter-Tel are two of the companies that seem to really be focused on attracting more resellers to their platforms.
 
This concept is not lost on many in the IP communications industry, as more and more companies are launching developer programs. Expect to see a number of high profile announcements in the upcoming weeks regarding development programs in the communications area.

If you think there are any holes in this logic, just look to Skype to see how its developer program is reaping tremendous benefits. Look to Intel, which also sees an ecosystem of communications partners using its components and ACTA platforms to build products.
 
Developer programs have become such an integral part of the success of so many tech companies that it makes sense to consider one. Remember, no company can do everything itself, and even Google, a company with seemingly unlimited resources, has opened up some of its APIs for others to take advantage of.