News

News

• March 01, 2018 01 Mar'18

  Genesys acquires Altocloud sales analytics for contact center cloud

  Genesys acquires analytics vendor Altocloud to help businesses find sales opportunities in online customer interactions. Genesys will integrate Altocloud into omnichannel contact center products.

• March 01, 2018 01 Mar'18

  Avaya Zang upgrades workflow, IoT tools

  Avaya Zang has upgraded its CPaaS platform with new workflow and IoT tools. The vendor is also making it easier to integrate Zang apps with Avaya UC hardware.

• February 23, 2018 23 Feb'18

  Orion Labs releases push-to-talk app for enterprises

  Orion Labs has made its push-to-talk app generally available to enterprises. The voice-powered platform offers benefits beyond the mimicking of walkie-talkies.

• February 23, 2018 23 Feb'18

  Slack competitor Atlassian Stride releases tools for developers

  Atlassian Stride, a Slack competitor, has released an API platform. The ability to integrate with business apps and workflow tools is expected to fuel the growth of the team collaboration market.

• February 22, 2018 22 Feb'18

  Federal HR applications need a makeover, Trump administration says

  U.S. government HR systems are heavily customized and out-of-date. They can't share data effectively, crimping the use of people analytics tools. Trump wants to change that.

• February 22, 2018 22 Feb'18

  Many enterprises need better conference room technology

  Enterprises are taking action to ensure they have the conference room technology necessary to support the latest collaboration tools.

• February 21, 2018 21 Feb'18

  HR recruiting tools get VC funding, as tech wages rise

  The HR recruiting tools market shows no shortage of investor interest. In two months, three platforms have launched. Rising tech wages point to increasing competition for talent.

• February 19, 2018 19 Feb'18

  Limeade releases new employee engagement software

  HR tech news roundup: Employee engagement software vendor Limeade expands platform and releases inclusion module for large enterprises seeking more diverse workforces.

• February 16, 2018 16 Feb'18

  Email collaboration evolves in the modern enterprise

  Messaging apps are great for team collaboration, but bridging the gap between internal and external communication remains a hurdle. That's why vendors are developing tools to improve email collaboration.

• February 15, 2018 15 Feb'18

  Enterprises given clarity on cost of cloud services

  Enterprises are gaining greater clarity about the cost of cloud services for UCC, as many IT departments are discovering that cloud deployments don't usually save them money.

• February 14, 2018 14 Feb'18

  HR is failing to use people analytics tools, new report says

  Human resource departments fail to use people analytics tools effectively, a new global study concludes. The findings were called a 'stunning regression' defying expectations.

• February 13, 2018 13 Feb'18

  Adopting business messaging apps requires changing corporate culture

  To successfully adopt business messaging apps in the enterprise, organizations must put end users at the center of a messaging strategy crafted to prevent shadow IT and collaboration silos.

• February 09, 2018 09 Feb'18

  Jive acquisition takes LogMeIn into UCaaS midmarket

  LogMeIn plans to acquire UCaaS provider Jive Communications for $357 million. The Jive acquisition, expected to close next quarter, will send LogMeIn into the UCaaS market.

• February 08, 2018 08 Feb'18

  Avaya adds AI voice assistant to desk phones

  Avaya has created an AI voice assistant application for desk phones. AI voice assistant platforms could make mundane tasks easier for office workers.

• February 08, 2018 08 Feb'18

  Mitel products revamped post-ShoreTel acquisition

  In UC news, Mitel's product portfolio has rebranded for the integration of ShoreTel's UCaaS products, while the new Logitech SmartDock accessory supports meeting interoperability.

• February 07, 2018 07 Feb'18

  Automated transcription services could be integral to web conferencing

  Automated transcription services are expected to become a must-have feature for web conferencing. Zoom made its version of that service available to its subscribers on Jan. 31.

• February 02, 2018 02 Feb'18

  How Apple Business Chat could change contact-center market

  The Apple Business Chat release comes as many businesses are rethinking the role of the contact center, which could turn the platform into a market disruptor.

• February 01, 2018 01 Feb'18

  Spoken acquisition the highlight of Avaya Engage 2018

  The standout announcement at Avaya Engage 2018 was the acquisition of contact-center-as-a-service provider Spoken Communications, which will bolster Avaya's cloud strategy.

• February 01, 2018 01 Feb'18

  Microsoft Teams updates streamline search, sharing features

  In UC news, new features in Microsoft Teams look to improve how users share and access information, while Verizon and Ribbon Communications partner for virtual SBC services.

• January 31, 2018 31 Jan'18

  Smartphone push-to-talk apps poised for enterprise growth

  Smartphone push-to-talk apps are a viable option for enterprises because of the improved reliability of 4G and LTE networks. Their automation and integration tools could be key to future growth.

• January 30, 2018 30 Jan'18

  Private Slack shared channels look to boost security, admin controls

  With the addition of private shared channels, Slack looks to broaden its external collaboration tools. However, interoperability issues still nag team collaboration apps.

• January 30, 2018 30 Jan'18

  SAP offers extra help on HR cloud migrations

  SAP is trying to help on-premises HCM users make a case for moving to the cloud, as well as ease initial integration steps. But it may be hard for some European HR users to move..

• January 29, 2018 29 Jan'18

  AI, machine learning ahead for Box content management platform

  There's more to your content than you might think: AI, sentiment analysis and other tools will yield more insight than ever before, and APIs will help you deliver it.

• January 26, 2018 26 Jan'18

  PGi releases GlobalMeet 5.0, as demand for web conferencing grows

  PGi has revamped its flagship virtual meeting platform with the release of GlobalMeet 5.0. Many enterprises now prefer web conferencing over traditional dial-in calls.

• January 26, 2018 26 Jan'18

  Cloud, mobility, telephony to fuel UCC market growth, report says

  In unified communications news, one industry report issues a bullish outlook, a new group messaging platform has launched and Plantronics expands its headset offerings.

• January 25, 2018 25 Jan'18

  Onboarding software a weak link, according to HCI-Kronos survey

  Onboarding software is a pillar of talent management systems, but many firms are neglecting the technology. First impressions count, and bad onboarding may drive a new hire away.

• January 22, 2018 22 Jan'18

  Midmarket enterprises push UCaaS platform adoption

  Cloud communications is growing in popularity among midmarket enterprises. UCaaS providers and enterprises must work together for successful adoption and deployment.

• January 22, 2018 22 Jan'18

  Avaya UC headed for SMB product bundles

  Avaya plans to grow its customer base with SMB-friendly technology. The bundles will include Avaya UC and other features from the company's enterprise portfolio.

• January 16, 2018 16 Jan'18

  SAP defends S/4HANA HCM upgrade amid questions

  SAP, which has some 14,000 on-premises HCM customers, is extending on-premises support five years to 2030. But HCM users will have to migrate to its HANA in-memory platform for support.

• January 15, 2018 15 Jan'18

  News briefs: Mobile recruiting interfaces still painful

  The pace of HR's mobile app implementation is very slow. Upgrading HR's tech is not the biggest priority in the business. An alternative may be a recruiting site with ATS features.

• January 11, 2018 11 Jan'18

  Businesses slow to embrace products like Samsung Flip board

  Samsung hopes to heat up the tepid digital whiteboard market, but the new Samsung Flip board will face tough competition from small vendors, as well as Cisco, Google and Microsoft.

• January 05, 2018 05 Jan'18

  Unified communications vendors continue consolidation carousel

  Several unified communications vendors rang in the new year with mergers and acquisitions, as Star2Star merges with Blueface and Polycom picks up Obihai Technology.

• December 22, 2017 22 Dec'17

  UC trends revealed in top news stories of 2017

  Take a look at the top UC news stories that affected the industry in 2017 -- from the growth in the team collaboration market to vendor mergers and acquisitions.

• December 14, 2017 14 Dec'17

  Free phone service could boost Dialpad's UCaaS status

  UCaaS provider Dialpad is offering a free cloud telephony service that integrates with G Suite, while a new partner program offers Workplace by Facebook support.

• November 30, 2017 30 Nov'17

  Third-party E911 services expand call management tools

  In UC news, organizations are deploying third-party E911 services for additional call management capabilities, while Genesys announces a chatbot integration with Amazon.

• November 06, 2017 06 Nov'17

  At Dreamforce, Salesforce applications take center stage

  Quip is expected to become the new Salesforce collaboration standard in Dreamforce unveiling; AppExchange and Einstein announcements reveal push into new markets.

• October 19, 2017 19 Oct'17

  Experts: Website redesign must enhance digital customer experience

  Gone are the days of a quick website launch. According to speakers at the Acquia Engage conference, redesigning a website is now a companywide digital customer experience project.

• October 13, 2017 13 Oct'17

  Arkadin unveils Cisco integrations for cloud telephony

  In UC news, Arkadin announces integrations with Cisco Spark and WebEx that support cloud-based telephony, while Box unveils machine learning tools to digitize and automate workflows.

• October 06, 2017 06 Oct'17

  AI among new Dynamics 365 features, Microsoft Teams top news from Ignite

  Discussing the top news stories coming out of the newly combined Microsoft Ignite and Envision conferences on the latest Pipeline podcast episode.

• September 07, 2017 07 Sep'17

  Atlassian Stride UCaaS product marks the end of HipChat

  Atlassian Stride, a new UCaaS product, is expected to eventually replace the Atlassian HipChat team messaging application. The new product is expected to compete with Cisco, Microsoft and Slack.

• August 31, 2017 31 Aug'17

  Streaming video platforms see surge in healthcare market

  Analysts discuss streaming video's important role in healthcare organizations, the positive effect of AI capabilities on customer service, and how to evaluate mobile devices.

• August 22, 2017 22 Aug'17

  Cisco Spark app gets features for regulated organizations

  The Cisco Spark app now includes better content protection and control. Enterprises also have the option of having an on-premises version of the Spark encryption key server.

• August 17, 2017 17 Aug'17

  Microsoft Exchange Online UM drops third-party PBX support

  Some Microsoft customers must quickly re-evaluate their UC strategy after the vendor announced its intent to end third-party PBX support for Exchange Online Unified Messaging in 2018.

• August 04, 2017 04 Aug'17

  AVST, Collab9 partner on UC platform for governments

  In UC news, AVST and Collab9 announce a partnership for FedRAMP-authorized cloud services, while two surveys find corporate email isn't going away anytime soon.

• August 02, 2017 02 Aug'17

  Level 3 offers Amazon Chime cloud collaboration tool as a service

  Level 3 has launched Amazon's Chime cloud collaboration tool as a managed service. The move could help Amazon compete with Microsoft and Cisco in the team collaboration market.

• July 21, 2017 21 Jul'17

  Infrastructure, endpoints to drive UC tech budget boom in 2018

  UC budgets are expected to rise in 2018 as organizations look to update aging voice infrastructure, promote user adoption and extend UC into contact centers.

• June 22, 2017 22 Jun'17

  Zoom Connector takes video conferencing service to Cisco hardware

  Zoom is offering its cloud-based video conferencing service on Cisco hardware through its integration app, Zoom Connector. Zoom's service competes with Cisco WebEx.

• June 08, 2017 08 Jun'17

  AI, IoT and Trailhead were main themes at Salesforce World Tour Boston

  In the second taping of The Pipeline podcast, we discuss the customer stories mentioned at the Boston event, the tight security and Salesforce's push of Trailhead.

• June 02, 2017 02 Jun'17

  Microsoft makes Skype messaging more competitive

  The latest Microsoft Skype messaging features bring needed improvements to the consumer app. But analysts say Skype for Business is unlikely to get the same attention this year.

• May 26, 2017 26 May'17

  Genband-Sonus merger spotlights real-time communication tools

  In UC news this week, Genband and Sonus are set to merge; Polycom and Zoom combine forces; and Genesys updates its contact-center platform with artificial intelligence tools.

• May 12, 2017 12 May'17

  Cisco to build MindMeld artificial intelligence services in Spark

  Cisco plans to build MindMeld artificial intelligence services into Spark. The AI maker also develops natural language interfaces for software and devices.

• May 08, 2017 08 May'17

  Jive acquired in enterprise collaboration software merger

  In UC news, Jive is in the midst of being acquired by a private equity firm and is expected to merge with CRM provider Aurea. Plus, UC cloud service provider Fuze gets more money.

• April 18, 2017 18 Apr'17

  UCC market evolution driven by digital transformation

  In UC news, a report finds digital transformation initiatives are driving the UCC market, while CoreDial and VeloCloud partner to bring SD-WAN features to cloud UC services.

• April 04, 2017 04 Apr'17

  IT pros share API deployment challenges, offer insights

  Communications APIs promise quick and easy deployments, but this new technology has its challenges. Three IT professionals share their API deployment experiences.

• March 29, 2017 29 Mar'17

  ShoreTel launches team collaboration tool for remote workers

  A new ShoreTel team collaboration tool supports persistent, virtual chat workspaces for remote and mobile employees, jumping into that market offering flexible ad hoc workspaces.

• March 29, 2017 29 Mar'17

  Unified communications users weigh vendor consolidation

  Unified communications users shared their successes and setbacks, with vendor consolidation as a key theme in a panel discussion at Enterprise Connect 2017.

• March 28, 2017 28 Mar'17

  Cisco using Spark hybrid hardware to nudge customers to the cloud

  Cisco unveiled at Enterprise Connect Spark hybrid video conferencing to help companies move to the cloud. The new Room Kits run off Spark or on-premises gear.

• March 28, 2017 28 Mar'17

  Avaya bankruptcy leaves customers in backup planning mode

  Avaya UC customers are in limbo with the vendor in bankruptcy. Consultants at Enterprise Connect offer Avaya bankruptcy contingency plan steps to prepare for the worst.

• March 28, 2017 28 Mar'17

  Unified communications vendors outlooks on cloud differ

  While hybrid deployments are the reality now, some unified communications vendors might disagree on the future of cloud communications and on-premises systems.

• March 28, 2017 28 Mar'17

  Microsoft adds enterprise features to Skype for Business telephony

  Microsoft has added call management features to Skype for Business telephony. The company introduced the improved version of the cloud-based software at Enterprise Connect.

• March 27, 2017 27 Mar'17

  8x8 launches contact center service for teams, small businesses

  8x8 has launched ContactNow, a contact center service for small businesses and teams that offers contact center capabilities with a pay-as-you-go cost model.

• March 27, 2017 27 Mar'17

  RingCentral updates focus on team messaging, integrations, AI

  Ahead of Enterprise Connect 2017, RingCentral unveils a slew of updates targeting collaborative communications, including a new user interface and chatbot technology.

• March 24, 2017 24 Mar'17

  Latest collaboration products on display at Enterprise Connect 2017

  Vendors will exhibit their latest UC products at Enterprise Connect 2017, from collaboration tools for huddle rooms to apps that support enterprise mobility.

• March 23, 2017 23 Mar'17

  AI advances can slow a Salesforce cloud migration

  Showing incremental improvement and investing over time are keys to successful cloud implementations, especially in government.

• March 21, 2017 21 Mar'17

  Team collaboration apps headline Enterprise Connect 2017

  Slack, Cisco Spark, Microsoft Teams and other team collaboration apps are tweaking traditional UC systems. Plus, Amazon and Google enter the fray as potential players.

• March 21, 2017 21 Mar'17

  Enterprise Connect 2017 conference coverage

  The unified communications industry is undergoing changes. Track these latest trends in our comprehensive coverage of Enterprise Connect 2017.

• March 15, 2017 15 Mar'17

  Google Hangouts apps for business carry uncertainties

  The latest Google Hangouts apps are a competitive team collaboration offering from a vendor with a spotty track record in enterprise technology.

• March 10, 2017 10 Mar'17

  Cloud UC and video conferencing adoption see uptick

  Cloud-based unified communications and video conferencing adoption are seeing gradual increases, according to a new survey. Plus, Cisco and Microsoft still reign supreme.

• February 24, 2017 24 Feb'17

  ShoreTel offers Google Chrome integration with G Suite

  In UC news, ShoreTel integrates its Connect platform with Google G Suite, while RingCentral Glip achieves HIPAA compliance for secure team chat in healthcare.

• February 02, 2017 02 Feb'17

  Slack Enterprise Grid needs more than tech to beat Microsoft Teams

  The new Slack Enterprise Grid has the technology basics for business. But winning large enterprise deals will require a better strategy against Microsoft.

• January 27, 2017 27 Jan'17

  Cloud migration challenges continue to vex enterprises

  Analysts discuss how providers can support cloud migrations, how workflow automation aids digital transformation, and Zoom's position in the cloud video market.

• January 19, 2017 19 Jan'17

  A hybrid deployment gives organizations UC flexibility

  Two factors are driving the hybrid deployment of unified communications: infrastructure needs and business value. But enterprises need to navigate certain deployment turbulence.

• January 06, 2017 06 Jan'17

  AI, messaging top unified communications industry trends

  Unified communications industry analysts explore the trends that will affect organizations in 2017. Artificial intelligence, messaging and infrastructure are key areas to watch.

• October 26, 2016 26 Oct'16

  Abacus aims to find missing data in marketing expenses

  By combing CRM data, Abacus looks to provide finance teams with a clearer picture on costs accrued during marketing campaigns and events.

• February 24, 2016 24 Feb'16

  Users discontent with data insights from analytics apps

  Companies use analytics apps to derive meaningful data insights, but survey results indicate they are discontented with their BI tools. Can Salesforce Analytics Cloud fill the void?

• February 08, 2016 08 Feb'16

  Omnichannel customer service is no small feat

  Seamless, efficient customer service is the elusive goal of omnichannel. Salesforce expects to deliver it using IoT to give contact centers 'spooky intelligent' systems.

• August 27, 2015 27 Aug'15

  Kronos shift scheduling software a grind for Starbucks worker

  On-call scheduling software gets criticized in workers' rights debate, but top employment lawyer says the software helps manage costs.

• March 21, 2014 21 Mar'14

  Plantronics pins hopes on next-gen wearable technology to ‘unify UC’

  Imagine using your headset not just for calls, but to adjust the temperature of your conference room or pull up documents you need for your meeting. With the advancement of next-generation wearable technology, those capabilities may not be so far ...

• March 18, 2014 18 Mar'14

  Will the dying desk phone reinvent itself as a ‘multimedia device’?

  ORLANDO – With the use of mobile devices and BYOD growing in the enterprise, will desk phones go the way of the rotary phone, or can they be reinvented for the future?

• March 17, 2014 17 Mar'14

  ShoreTel rounds out cloud offering with new 400 series for ShoreTel Sky

  ORLANDO — ShoreTel announced today at Enterprise Connect 2014 that it is now shipping its 400 series IP phones for ShoreTel Sky, a series of three new deskphone options for cloud customers.

• December 18, 2013 18 Dec'13

  Compare Cisco and Lync UC platform features while market is ripe

  Are you deciding between Cisco and Lync UC platforms? This article compares features from each vendor and explains why the competition is so tough.

• January 25, 2013 25 Jan'13

  A guide to SAP, its competition and its ecosystem

  This guide tracks news and developments regarding SAP, the SAP ecosystem, as well as the third-party vendors that SAP competes with, and compiles them here to help companies learn more about their options and get the most out of their IT landscape.

• September 07, 2012 07 Sep'12

  Cloud, UC forces network architects to redesign WANs

  Enterprises must consider redesigning their wide area networks (WANs) to support cloud computing and unified communications (UC).

• February 15, 2012 15 Feb'12

  Video conferencing essential to disaster recovery communications

  Video conferencing and telepresence have become essential parts of a disaster recovery communications plan for both government agencies and enterprises.

• March 03, 2011 03 Mar'11

  Business tablet hype at Enterprise Connect: Mobile UC pros skeptical

  IT pros attending Enterprise Connect this week are enthusiastic about business tablets but not for mobile UC.

• May 06, 2010 06 May'10

  Will 4G make mobile video conferencing good enough for enterprises?

  Wireless operators promise higher bandwidth and lower latency with 4G networks, but it remains unclear whether the benefits of mobile video conferencing for enterprises will compensate for its limitations.

• December 03, 2009 03 Dec'09

  Agile global supply chains a key focus for Procter & Gamble, others

  Managing global supply chains is a study in overcoming manufacturing and logistics challenges. Procter & Gamble's strategy was explained at Supply Chain & Logistics North America.