Zoom Video Communications has introduced Hardware as a Service (HaaS) offers, and is working closely with
ServiceNow to support the pay-as-you-go software and hardware system, the technology companies disclosed today.
The Zoom HaaS push includes third-party device options from
DTEN,
Neat,
Poly, and
Yealink. The effort supports both
ZoomPhone and
ZoomRooms.
Zoom will leverage ServiceNow’s IT service management (ITSM) software platform to enable the HaaS business model. At the same time, ServiceNow is standardizing on Zoom as a unified communications platform for 11,000+ employees, the companies say.
Hardware as a Service: A Closer Look
The Zoom HaaS effort essentially counters
Cisco Systems, which often promotes
WebEx in combination with the networking giant's own video conferencing and telepresence solutions.
Lifesize also offers a well-known HaaS package known as
Rooms as a Service.
Most major PC, server, printer and network infrastructure providers now offer some form of Hardware as a Service (HaaS). Still, HaaS has a mixed reputation among VARs, MSPs and other types of channel partners.
While software is simple to offer and consume on a monthly model, HaaS often involves carefully considered financial math to make the pay-as-you-go devices and infrastructure profitable for vendors, distributors and partners.