Does Webex Legislate point to video-based collaboration's future?
Disclosure: Most of the companies mentioned are clients of the author.
The videoconferencing industry tends to go through 10-year cycles; companies jump in, spend a ton of money, and then exit the market disappointed. This, however, is the first time that cycle happened during a pandemic, forcing a level of development that pushed players like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Cisco Webex to quickly evolve.
All three offerings look vastly different than before the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in 2020.
This week, Cisco showcased its Webex Legislate offering for Davra (one of its partners) and how it is safely streamlining remote government conclaves and voting. (This government-focused Webex variant, unveiled last October, is also being used by an increasing number of corporate boards for the same reason.) It shows promise for any group that requires debate followed by voting — including councils, clubs, activist organizations, and stockholder meetings.