Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• What are SBC configuration best practices?

  Proper SBC configuration requires partnering with providers and security teams to examine circuits and potential traffic. Learn the best practices for implementing an SBC on your network.  Continue Reading

• What are the top benefits of knowledge management?

  A proper knowledge management strategy can help organizations boost document security, increase employee efficiency and decrease frustration in searches for digital assets.  Continue Reading

• How asynchronous video communication boosts remote work

  When it's time to share information with colleagues, a full-blown video conference isn't always necessary. Maybe an app like TikTok could help.  Continue Reading

• Why is social media important for e-commerce?

  To increase transparency, organizations can integrate social media with their e-commerce platform and enable users to post reviews and rate their products.  Continue Reading

• How does e-commerce search work?

  Effective e-commerce search relies on detailed product descriptions and metadata. Also, features like autofill and search filters can help organizations offer accurate results.  Continue Reading

• Are Microsoft Teams calls encrypted?

  Microsoft Teams calls are encrypted at rest and in transit. But organizations that want an additional layer of security can enable end-to-end encryption for one-on-one calls.  Continue Reading

• Why is customer self-service important for contact centers?

  The advancement of conversational AI coupled with customers' growing desire for empowerment has made self-service channels critical for contact centers.  Continue Reading

• UC hybrid models reap benefits but require good planning

  Hybrid unified communications is getting more attention as remote working becomes standard at many organizations. But be sure to understand how applications are being delivered.  Continue Reading

• Zero-party data vs. first-party data: What's the difference?

  Zero-party data comes from customer surveys and polls, but first-party data comes from customer web activity. Marketers can use both data types to personalize their ad campaigns.  Continue Reading

• Virtual whiteboard vs. ideation system: Which is best for you?

  Digital whiteboards are useful when tackling short-term needs, but a full-featured ideation system might be the best option for more sophisticated and mission-critical projects.  Continue Reading

• How do you measure ROI for virtual events?

  Businesses and industries are using virtual events to reach customers. Determining ROI of these events isn't as easy as it was for physical conferences, but it can be done.  Continue Reading

• How do you know when you've outgrown your e-commerce platform?

  When an e-commerce system's native content management capabilities no longer meet business needs, companies should consider integrating it with a content management system.  Continue Reading

• How do you evaluate UC applications for frontline workers?

  UC offerings differ depending on business goals and intended users. When evaluating tools for frontline workers, consider factors based on communication, endpoints and workflows.  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between SCM and CRM?

  CRM platforms track customer interactions, whereas SCM platforms track materials and product shipments. Tech buyers should know how these platforms differ before making a purchase.  Continue Reading

• What IT skills are required for e-commerce?

  While e-commerce involves a lot of marketing and sales, it also requires IT expertise to keep platforms running. Explore seven technical skills needed for e-commerce platforms.  Continue Reading

• VoIP gateway vs. PBX: What is the difference?

  When calls are transmitted over a VoIP gateway, voice data packets are assembled at the edge of the network. An IP private branch exchange uses a much different model.  Continue Reading

• How will VR collaboration transform meetings?

  It may be too soon for virtual reality to play a role in how companies conduct business meetings, but it's not too early to understand its benefits.  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between speech and voice recognition?

  It's easy to be confused about the difference between speech and voice recognition. Each has a specific role to play in business collaboration and contact centers.  Continue Reading

• What Microsoft Defender Antivirus features are on Windows?

  While there are plenty of viable enterprise-grade third-party desktop security platforms, Microsoft has built out a strong array of native features that IT admins can utilize.  Continue Reading

• How do you create a Microsoft Teams template?

  Microsoft Teams templates provide predefined collaboration spaces for specific business processes and team structures. Learn how to create a Microsoft Teams template in five steps.  Continue Reading

• What are types of virtual events and can they be improved?

  Video conferencing software has helped companies connect with their employees and customers, but it hasn't quite filled the bill when it comes to supporting virtual events.  Continue Reading

• Video streaming vs. video conferencing: What is the difference?

  Companies are finding that video streaming and video conferencing can serve the same purpose. That doesn't mean, however, they are interchangeable. Find out why.  Continue Reading

• How secure is Zoom video conferencing?

  Companies can take some simple steps to protect their Zoom meetings, but they should also consider ways to better educate their employees on how to use the software.  Continue Reading

• What SAP product supports project-based teams?

  SAP's SuccessFactors Dynamic Teams could help support project-based teams in the workplace and solve associated challenges. Learn more about the new capabilities.  Continue Reading

• What are best practices for working with external partners?

  More organizations now use collaboration tools to work with external partners. Learn how to manage external collaboration to support distributed teams and keep company data secure.  Continue Reading

• How can SAP IBP help address supply chain challenges?

  As supply chain issues continue to affect companies, SAP's Integrated Business Planning could help improve users' supply chain management. Learn how.  Continue Reading

• Should SAP users move from APO to IBP?

  SAP is emphasizing its Integrated Business Planning product and moving its Advanced Planning and Optimization tools out of the spotlight. Learn whether users should transition to IBP.  Continue Reading

• How can SAP's predictive analytics improve SCM?

  SAP's predictive analytics could help users with their supply chain management as supply chain problems persist. Learn more about how these capabilities could benefit users.  Continue Reading

• When should you use Android Enterprise Essentials?

  With the Android Enterprise Essentials program, organizations get simple and basic device management. However, this approach isn't a great fit for all organizations.  Continue Reading

• How can Android Enterprise Recommended improve user privacy?

  To simultaneously tackle the issues of mobile user privacy and security, IT can deploy Android Enterprise Recommended devices and partition them with a dedicated API.  Continue Reading

• Is Rise with SAP a good fit for you?

  The service Rise with SAP is likely a good fit for some organizations but not for others. Learn how to decide if SAP's new offering is right for your company.  Continue Reading

• How can UC tools create a virtual water cooler experience?

  Even in a hybrid work environment, the water cooler remains a valuable way for remote employees to communicate and stay engaged -- thanks to UC.  Continue Reading

• How do you set up Zoom breakout rooms?

  Breakout rooms might seem difficult to configure, but it's not so challenging once you have the right options enabled. Our expert outlines how to set up Zoom breakout rooms.  Continue Reading

• How can AI improve remote work communications?

  Learn three AI remote work use cases that can address the communications challenges of remote work and improve productivity and collaboration.  Continue Reading

• How do you create a chatbot and connect it to Salesforce?

  Salesforce users have two ways to create a chatbot: using an outside platform and connecting finished creations through Salesforce Lightning, or writing it in Salesforce Einstein Bot.  Continue Reading

• What are the use cases for programmable video?

  Programmable video is a growing trend in the CPaaS market to integrate video with apps and websites. Learn the use cases driving adoption of programmable video APIs.  Continue Reading

• Windows 10 disk management terms and tasks IT should know

  Windows 10 disk management is a crucial function that system admins should perform. To manage Windows disks, IT must know the difference between volumes and partitions.  Continue Reading

• Revenue operations vs. sales operations: What's the difference?

  While revenue operations focus on revenue growth and integration of sales, marketing and service departments, sales operations focus on sales department efficiency.  Continue Reading

• Which SAP software supports sustainability?

  SAP is releasing new sustainability software to give organizations the environmental data they need to achieve climate targets. Learn more about each type.  Continue Reading

• How does SAP Product Footprint Management work?

  SAP Product Footprint Management can help companies assess and manage their environmental impact. Learn about some of the software's capabilities.  Continue Reading

• How to integrate mobile threat defense and UEM such as Intune

  Mobile admins can use mobile threat defense integrations with UEM to provide deeper visibility into the threat level of mobile devices and additional security controls.  Continue Reading

• What are effective ways to secure SIP connections?

  Ensuring a secure SIP environment is critical for enabling employees to communicate over the internet. What are some key strategies to protect your network?  Continue Reading

• What technologies are essential for effective telework?

  Some form of remote work is likely here to stay, even as the worst of the pandemic seems to be over. But employees need the right technologies if they are to remain productive.  Continue Reading

• How do omnichannel vs. multichannel marketing differ?

  While multichannel marketing connects customers and companies through various forms of communication, omnichannel marketing takes it further and removes any silos.  Continue Reading

• What is the difference between audio and video conferencing?

  Audio and video conferencing each have benefits and drawbacks. Learn the difference between audio and video conferencing to decide which best suits your meeting needs.  Continue Reading

• How could BYOD support touchless meeting rooms?

  Organizations have a few options to approach low-touch and touchless meeting rooms. BYOD and employee smartphones are one method to support social distancing and meeting room access.  Continue Reading

• Do you need to manage QoS when deploying VoIP over LAN?

  QoS is an essential component of VoIP over LAN; modern network devices make it easy to implement.  Continue Reading

• Will video fatigue drive users back to voice calls?

  The strain of being on camera all day is beginning to make its mark. Companies are reevaluating the role telephony may play as workers return to the office.  Continue Reading

• What is voicemail and how does it work?

  Voicemail capabilities have evolved since the early days of answering machines. Learn what voicemail is and how features have advanced as the technology became digital.  Continue Reading

• What are the challenges of using multiple team collaboration apps?

  Companies are already using a variety of collaboration platforms, but managing them is hard. What should companies know when juggling multiple team collaboration apps?  Continue Reading

• What are the benefits of vendor-agnostic UC hardware?

  Organizations that want to switch UC platforms without sacrificing hardware investments can find benefits in vendor-agnostic UC hardware. But the benefits can come with tradeoffs.  Continue Reading

• How do you manage cloud telephony E911 location information?

  Tracking E911 location information can be tricky when moving telephony to the cloud. But organizations have a few options to ensure that emergency calls are properly routed.  Continue Reading

• What is the role of the consultant in ERP vendor selection?

  When your company chooses an ERP vendor, an outside consultant can contribute in a number of ways. Here's what a consultant can help drive and what you should handle yourself.  Continue Reading

• How can SAP Work Zone for HR help enable a digital workplace?

  Part of SAP SuccessFactors HXM, Work Zone for HR is a digital workspace meant to boost employee experience. Learn more about its features and functions.  Continue Reading

• How is remote work affecting enterprise telephony?

  Enterprise telephony is on the decline as remote and home-based workers lack access to enterprise phone systems or seek alternative modes of communication.  Continue Reading

• What key stakeholders are vital to ERP requirements analysis?

  The right stakeholders are critical to choosing and buying the right ERP system. Here's a look at some of those key stakeholders and why they're so important.  Continue Reading

• What does 'bring your own carrier' mean for UCaaS platforms?

  Migrating to UCaaS doesn't always mean an organization can keep its PSTN or SIP carrier. But some providers are taking a 'bring you own carrier' approach to offer more flexibility.  Continue Reading

• What is SAP Field Service Management and what can it do?

  Organizations need to get more from their technicians and field workers, and SAP Field Service Management is meant to help. Learn what it can do.  Continue Reading

• What technology did HR need because of the pandemic in 2020?

  2020 complicated HR teams' ability to help manage employees. Here's a look at three ways technology helped, including strengthening security and using new video platforms.  Continue Reading

• Will the pandemic drive further UCC industry consolidation?

  COVID-19 may drive further UCC industry consolidation as vendors look to develop new capabilities to support the communications needs created by remote and hybrid work.  Continue Reading

• What Qualtrics integration questions should IT ask of SAP?

  Qualtrics has certain technical integration challenges, and IT needs to address questions to uncover what they are and how they will affect the implementation. Here's a look.  Continue Reading

• Why are some SAP customers resisting S/4HANA?

  SAP has touted S/4HANA as the natural successor to ECC, but many customers are resisting the move. Here are some of the reasons why.  Continue Reading

• What are the benefits of centralized SIP trunking?

  More efficient management and lower costs are just some of the advantages of centralized SIP trunking. Find out why it's better to place trunking components in one place.  Continue Reading

• How has COVID-19 driven CPaaS API adoption?

  New CPaaS use cases are emerging as business requirements for digital communications services evolve in response to COVID-19.  Continue Reading

• How has Twilio SIP trunking disrupted the market?

  Making it easier for companies to deploy a SIP trunk was just part of Twilio's strategy. It was Twilio SIP trunking pricing that really changed the game.  Continue Reading

• Does Infoporter aid SAP ERP HCM-Employee Central data migration?

  Learn how SAP data migration tool Infoporter assists in moving from SAP ERP HCM to SuccessFactors Employee Central and why IT teams might find it helpful.  Continue Reading

• How do NG911 standards make the technology superior to E911?

  NG911 standards mean more accurate location tracking for emergency calls on IP-based communications systems, and more efficient response by police, EMTs and firefighters.  Continue Reading

• Data migration vs. data conversion: What are the differences?

  Data migration and data conversion are related, but not the same. Discover how each one factors into an ERP or other software implementation and its importance.  Continue Reading

• What are some SAP license optimization best practices?

  Optimizing SAP licenses is critical in today's insecure business landscape. Here are some best practices organizations can follow to lower costs and get the most from their investment.  Continue Reading

• How can customers stay on SAP ECC and continue to innovate?

  Many SAP customers are reluctant to move to S/4HANA just yet -- or maybe ever. Here are some ways companies can optimize the SAP ERP Central Component and find ways to innovate.  Continue Reading

• Does Office 365 include Teams with enterprise licenses?

  There are numerous issues that come with licensing for Microsoft Teams, including this key question: Does Office 365 include Teams with the different Office 365 licenses?  Continue Reading

• What are the main Microsoft Dynamics ERP products?

  Learn about Dynamics 365 Business Central and Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management, why Microsoft narrowed its ERP portfolio, and why this move is important.  Continue Reading

• Is a move to cloud ERP inevitable for most companies?

  More companies are turning to cloud ERP for modernization, cost and security. Here's a look at whether those factors are enough to make cloud a foregone conclusion.  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between UC-certified and MS-certified?

  Both UC-certified and MS-certified products are available to enterprises. But one designation carries more weight than the other, our expert writes.  Continue Reading

• What will touchless collaboration in meeting rooms look like?

  Touchless collaboration will determine how employees use meeting room equipment in the future. Learn about three options -- one of which represents the worst alternative.  Continue Reading

• What is information management vs. knowledge management?

  There are some subtle differences between information management and knowledge management -- one focuses on processes while the other focuses on people.  Continue Reading

• CDP vs. marketing automation: What's the difference?

  CDPs and marketing automation software collect customer data, automate processes and increase efficiency, but they also have features that set them apart from each other.  Continue Reading

• How can IT improve existing ERP system benefits?

  A canceled ERP project due to the COVID-19 pandemic doesn't have to stall productivity. Here's how to get the most from your current system.  Continue Reading

• How can SuccessFactors CPM improve performance management?

  Learn how SuccessFactors Continuous Performance Management can help more organizations realize that a good employee experience requires ongoing performance management.  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between CRM and database marketing?

  Database marketing is a component of customer relationship management. CRM includes all processes, strategies and tools to support sales, marketing and customer service initiatives.  Continue Reading

• How does Citrix work on a Chromebook?

  Organizations looking for cost-effective laptops may consider Chromebooks, but IT must learn if these endpoints can coexist with existing business technologies, such as Citrix.  Continue Reading

• What's new in SharePoint features in 2020?

  Microsoft released some new SharePoint capabilities in 2020 to help increase user engagement with the platform. Learn more about what's new in SharePoint this year.  Continue Reading

• How can SAP Analytics Cloud help boost business agility?

  SAP Analytics Cloud is meant to boost business agility, which business leaders need now more than ever. Take a look at the tool's features and how it might help.  Continue Reading

• What does it mean if a device is UC-certified?

  IT leaders determining which UC devices and endpoints to support organizationwide should look for a UC-certified label, which is an indicator of platform compatibility.  Continue Reading

• How should companies manage huddle room size amid COVID?

  Companies are being forced to rethink huddle room size guidelines as they begin to plan how employees will be able to work together. Find out how technology can help.  Continue Reading

• How is SAP Climate 21 meant to reduce CO2 emissions?

  SAP released program to help companies go green and achieve better sustainability. Here's a look at Climate 21 and its Product Carbon Footprint Analytics.  Continue Reading

• How can mobile app virtualization improve BYOD app access?

  Mobile app virtualization isn't a new technology, but the latest generations of smartphones have made this technology more viable for everyday use for enterprise mobile users.  Continue Reading

• How can CFOs pivot to a virtual financial close?

  As finance teams have suddenly turned into a remote workforce, CFOs must guide them in a successful close. Here's advice to help.  Continue Reading

• What new Android 11 features should IT know about?

  Android 11's public beta has revealed several new features that IT admins should take note of, such as incremental app installs and more detailed information on app data access.  Continue Reading

• What roles are essential on a content marketing team?

  There are a number of people involved in business content marketing teams. Some of those roles include content managers, content strategists and content creators.  Continue Reading

• How can HR protect employee data privacy during COVID-19?

  Collecting health-related employee data in your HR system -- even during the COVID-19 pandemic -- isn't a simple issue, due to the many regulations that protect employees.  Continue Reading

• How does ControlUp monitoring fix Citrix performance issues?

  There are few more important aspects of managing virtual desktops than monitoring them for performance issues. This video tutorial explains how to use ControlUp for UX monitoring.  Continue Reading

• Will remote work spur unified communications interoperability?

  Unified communications interoperability is gaining more attention as more employees work from home. But, while some progress is being made, there is a long way to go.  Continue Reading

• How can mobile collaboration support workers in a pandemic?

  Mobile collaboration apps help remote workers keep in touch during stay-at-home orders. They are also key to communications flexibility as workers begin returning to the office.  Continue Reading

• How do AI tools such as Box Shield enhance content security?

  Programs such as Box Shield use machine learning to better secure content, as it monitors existing content continually to learn about new cybersecurity threats over time.  Continue Reading

• What do SAP leadership changes signify for company strategy?

  SAP recently announced that Jennifer Morgan was no longer co-CEO and that Christian Klein would take the helm. Learn what that means for the company's strategy.  Continue Reading

• How can speech recognition technology support remote work?

  Today's speech recognition technology is much more sophisticated than legacy versions. Find out how speech recognition can make remote workers more productive.  Continue Reading

• What are the risks of canceling an ERP project?

  In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many business and technology leaders are deciding whether to cancel or pause an ERP implementation. Here are some risks to factor into the decision.  Continue Reading

• How can SAP tools help during a COVID-19 economic downturn?

  Managing cash flow, anticipating demand and getting insight into data are three critical ways to manage COVID-19's effects. Here are a few tools meant to provide those capabilities.  Continue Reading

• Do you really need 4K video resolution in the enterprise?

  Organizations may not need 4K video resolution today, but it might be a good idea to prepare your infrastructure to support the higher-resolution format for tomorrow's demands.  Continue Reading