November 28, 2018 28 Nov'18

Slack roadmap reveals new integration, collaboration in 2019

Slack plans to invest more in security, speed and integration with business productivity apps in 2019. The vendor revealed the plans in a roadmap presentation to admins this week.

November 28, 2018 28 Nov'18

Microsoft Teams app adds controls for IT admins

Microsoft has released a set of APIs for automating the creation and archiving of teams within the Microsoft Teams app.

November 27, 2018 27 Nov'18

Advantages of hyper-converged infrastructure for virtual desktops

Advantages of hyper-converged infrastructure compared with a traditional data center setup include improved scalability and availability, simpler management and better integration. And when it comes to virtual desktops and applications, those ...

November 26, 2018 26 Nov'18

Tablets and Laptops Supplant Desktop PCs

According to the UK Government's Office of Communications (Ofcom), tablet and laptops supplant desktop PCs in the vast majority of end-user homes. Desktops won't disappear, but they're no longer ...

November 21, 2018 21 Nov'18

BroadSoft cloud calling begins to eclipse Cisco HCS

Cisco is pushing BroadSoft service providers to sell into the midmarket and above, raising questions about the future of Cisco HCS.

November 20, 2018 20 Nov'18

Microsoft acquisition of FSLogix to help push cloud desktops

FSLogix can help Microsoft solve problems that have plagued the integration of Office 365 and virtual desktops, and it will immediately benefit the new Windows Virtual Desktop.

November 19, 2018 19 Nov'18

Zendesk CRM moves beyond customer service into CX

Zendesk moves on from focusing solely on customer service by adding analytics, sales force automation and CRM capabilities, while also providing third-party integrations on AWS.

November 16, 2018 16 Nov'18

Cisco pushes BroadSoft partners to sell Cisco phones, displays

At BroadSoft Connections, the sponsors of which included Polycom and Yealink, Cisco wasn't shy about encouraging BroadSoft partners to begin selling Cisco phones and displays.

November 16, 2018 16 Nov'18

At Acquia Engage, CTO talks of open source WCM, Red Hat buy

Drupal author and Acquia founder Dries Buytaert talks about how the web content management system written for fun is morphing into a platform from which CX and e-commerce flow.

November 16, 2018 16 Nov'18

New RingCentral platform, UC mobile app and AI partnerships

RingCentral introduced a new customer engagement platform, mobile app and AI voice analytics. Learn how the new offerings improve the user experience.

November 16, 2018 16 Nov'18

Zoho CRM Plus gets AI boost, aims to connect departments

Zoho's new CRM release may help bring departments together, but it's unclear if the flood of AI tools and more data sharing will differentiate the vendor in the robust CRM market.

November 15, 2018 15 Nov'18

Cisco folds BroadSoft UC-One into Webex cloud

Cisco is looking to streamline its portfolio of UC apps, starting with the merger of BroadSoft UC-One and Webex Teams in the Cisco Webex cloud.

November 15, 2018 15 Nov'18

Microsoft reissues Windows 10 October Update, Server 2019

Windows Server 2019 and the Windows 10 October Update are back in IT admins' hands, six weeks after the company pulled them from the market when some users reported lost data.

November 14, 2018 14 Nov'18

Cisco targets huddle rooms with Webex Room Kit Mini

Cisco has launched the Webex Room Kit Mini. The video conferencing kit is for rooms that seat as few as two people and competes with products from Logitech and Lifesize.

November 13, 2018 13 Nov'18

SAP CX move with Qualtrics challenges Salesforce, Oracle

By acquiring Qualtrics, SAP is expanding beyond ERP and entering the CX space, challenging market leaders Salesforce, Oracle and Adobe. It also is expanding its HR tech suite.

November 13, 2018 13 Nov'18

Cisco brings BroadSoft cloud PBX to Webex Teams

The integration of the BroadSoft cloud PBX with the messaging and meetings app Webex Teams gives midsize Cisco customers a clearer migration path to a cloud-only UC environment.

November 12, 2018 12 Nov'18

HubSpot CMS targets WordPress users with stand-alone product

With the growing importance of customer experience personalization, HubSpot is offering its CMS as a stand-alone product to help customers' web businesses.

November 09, 2018 09 Nov'18

Cloud e-commerce IT battle pits content management vs. CRM

ERP-based and stand-alone e-commerce systems dominate the market. As more companies go to the cloud, CRM and CMS vie to be the next foundation of e-commerce.

November 09, 2018 09 Nov'18

In strategic shift, Avaya expands portfolio of open SIP phones

Avaya is doubling down on a decision to open its hardware to the software of competing UC vendors with the release of more than a dozen new open SIP phones.

November 08, 2018 08 Nov'18

Talkdesk iQ provides AI analytics, monitoring in contact center

Talkdesk iQ, the cloud contact center startup's new AI platform, includes an analytics dashboard and bot development tools. The vendor also announced a new 100% uptime SLA for enterprise calling.

November 07, 2018 07 Nov'18

Microsoft fixes flaws in Skype Meetings App

Microsoft announced upgrades to the Skype Meetings App to ease installation and setup. The vendor plans to eliminate the Mac version of the product in favor of the desktop app.

November 07, 2018 07 Nov'18

Dropbox Extensions gives users chance to try other vendors

The new Dropbox integrations will bring APIs to other file editing and e-signature vendors, making it easier for users to update files without toggling through applications.

November 05, 2018 05 Nov'18

News briefs: Glint acquisition ties into LinkedIn recruiting

Find out how LinkedIn may use the engagement platform Glint; a fix is developed for the coding problems created by Google for Jobs; and the problems with AI in HR.

November 02, 2018 02 Nov'18

Amazon opens Alexa for Business to third-party devices

Amazon's AI voice assistant platform for enterprises, Alexa for Business, is now compatible with third-party devices from vendors including Polycom.

November 01, 2018 01 Nov'18

Genesys improves workforce management software with AI

Genesys has developed new workforce management software to help contact centers with forecasting and scheduling.

October 31, 2018 31 Oct'18

M-Files QMS implementation helps Farbest Brands wrangle docs

Farbest Brands spent years shopping for technology that would foster compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011. It finally settled on a quality management system.

October 31, 2018 31 Oct'18

Box takes on OpenText, Microsoft as enterprise content hub

Enterprise content management platforms will become the single source of truth for knowledge for desktop and mobile devices. Box hard-charges bigger competitors to win that spot.

October 30, 2018 30 Oct'18

8x8 buys Jitsi open source video conferencing from Atlassian

8x8 has acquired the open source video conferencing company Jitsi from Atlassian in a bid to improve its online meetings platform, 8x8 Meetings.

October 26, 2018 26 Oct'18

Microsoft releases Skype for Business 2019 server

The Skype for Business 2019 server includes several new hybrid cloud features and simplifies the migration path from the on-premises product to cloud-based Microsoft Teams.

October 25, 2018 25 Oct'18

Adobe Magento Commerce Cloud brings e-commerce muscle

After acquiring Magento for $1.7 billion earlier this year, Adobe has integrated its commerce product into Adobe Experience Cloud for both enterprises and SMBs.

October 25, 2018 25 Oct'18

Cautious about SaaS, Textron came around to Oracle ERP Cloud

Textron IT and finance leaders said the company only trusted cloud for nonessentials until aging systems made the move to SaaS ERP inevitable.

October 25, 2018 25 Oct'18

Cisco Meeting Server 2.4 increases capacity, adds controls

The Cisco Meeting Server 2.4 release increases HD video call capacities and gives customers more in-meeting controls and branding tools.

October 25, 2018 25 Oct'18

Windows Server 2019 RDSH drops Office 365 ProPlus support

Microsoft hopes to accelerate customer cloud desktop adoption when it makes the Office 365 ProPlus suite a cloud-only product for Windows Server 2019 RDSH users.

October 24, 2018 24 Oct'18

FedEx's Oracle hybrid cloud only a bridge to all-SaaS ERP

A logistics heavyweight is in year three of a five-year plan to consolidate PeopleSoft and SAP systems on Oracle ERP Cloud and Analytics Cloud and absorb corporate acquisitions.

October 24, 2018 24 Oct'18

Twilio Autopilot looks to simplify contact center AI

Twilio Autopilot gives developers the building blocks for creating contact center AI that businesses can use to improve customer service and save money.

October 24, 2018 24 Oct'18

UCaaS Magic Quadrant shows IT leaders ready for transition to cloud

The latest Gartner UCaaS Magic Quadrant found that large enterprises are making the jump to cloud as fewer dollars are spent on on-premises infrastructure and development.

October 23, 2018 23 Oct'18

New Oracle AI, blockchain apps target key ERP workflows

Financials, supply chain, HR and recruiting all see automation boost from intelligent process automation and machine learning across integrated Oracle SaaS suite.

October 23, 2018 23 Oct'18

Oracle CX Unity unveiled at OpenWorld

In an attempt to compete with Salesforce, Oracle unveils Subscription Management, a software tool to help users manage the growing number of consumer-facing subscription products.

October 22, 2018 22 Oct'18

NEC launches InfinityBoard collaboration hardware for meeting rooms

In UC news, NEC Display introduces new meeting room hardware, MTD uses NewVoiceMedia to improve its contact center, and Fuze announces new mobile upgrades and analytics tools.

October 22, 2018 22 Oct'18

FinancialForce adds Einstein Analytics to back office

FinancialForce added an analytics layer to its Professional Services Automation product to help its users find better insights in their back-office applications.

October 19, 2018 19 Oct'18

Interoperability could help 8x8 Team Messaging stand out

8x8 has added a team messaging app to its cloud-based unified communications and contact center suites, joining a growing list of vendors in a market kick-started by Slack.

October 18, 2018 18 Oct'18

Twilio buys SendGrid for email APIs

Twilio will acquire SendGrid, a maker of cloud-based email APIs. The deal follows email-focused acquisitions by Slack and Workplace by Facebook.

October 17, 2018 17 Oct'18

RingCentral the latest UCaaS vendor to acquire a cloud contact center

RingCentral is the latest UCaaS startup to push more heavily into the cloud contact center market with its acquisition of customer engagement vendor Dimelo.

October 17, 2018 17 Oct'18

Pipeline podcast ranges over Dreamforce news

Einstein Voice, Customer 360, Salesforce partners and all things Dreamforce. The Pipeline podcast takes on these developments and takes an inside look at Salesforce Tower, too.

October 17, 2018 17 Oct'18

At Workday Rising, skills ontology feature for customers unveiled

Workday is creating a universal skills ontology, a feature made available in its most recent platform version update. Users opt in to share data for a 'skills cloud.'

October 12, 2018 12 Oct'18

At its Talent Connect, LinkedIn unveils ATS and broad strategy

LinkedIn has developed an ATS platform and acquired employee engagement vendor, Glint. Its likely goal: Become a full-service talent management provider.

October 12, 2018 12 Oct'18

Microsoft Windows 10 October 2018 Update stumbles out of gate

The most recent Windows 10 update includes enhancements for business users, but it ran into major problems shortly after its release.

October 12, 2018 12 Oct'18

Workplace by Facebook app adds multicompany chat

Businesses can now use the Workplace by Facebook app to instant message and video conference with partners and customers.

October 11, 2018 11 Oct'18

Windows Virtual Desktop poised to shake up the DaaS market

Microsoft is finally throwing its hat into the desktop-as-a-service ring with Windows Virtual Desktop. The DaaS offering could shake up the competition significantly.

October 11, 2018 11 Oct'18

BlueJeans-Dolby meeting room service focuses on UC audio

In UC news, BlueJeans launches a UC audio offering with Dolby Voice, Talkdesk gets $100 million toward CCaaS, and Silver Peak's SD-WAN platform earns a VoIP performance certification.

October 11, 2018 11 Oct'18

Zoom enters UCaaS market with new cloud PBX service

Zoom will expand beyond its roots as a video conferencing startup and enter a crowded UCaaS market, with the release of a cloud PBX service in early 2019.

October 10, 2018 10 Oct'18

Workday Rising previews AI tech that draws from customer data sets

Workday is developing algorithms to automate certain tasks, such as anomaly detection. This technology was previewed at Workday Rising, with the tech planned to arrive in 2019.

October 10, 2018 10 Oct'18

IT must beware Apple DEP issues with authentication

IT admins can expose an organization to a variety of threats while using Apple DEP if they're not careful. But there are ways to sidestep a DEP security issue that could be problematic.

October 10, 2018 10 Oct'18

Google Analytics for Salesforce helps users scour web data

Salesforce will sell Google Marketing Platform products on its own site in North America, strengthening the partnership between the two software giants.

October 09, 2018 09 Oct'18

Video communications startups Pexip and Videxio to merge

The merger of startups Pexip and Videxio will give service providers and enterprises a one-stop shop for video conferencing software, analysts said.

October 05, 2018 05 Oct'18

Symphony messaging app gets DLP, Microsoft integration

The Symphony messaging app now has native data loss prevention and integrates with Microsoft Office. The startup is looking to expand beyond its base in the financial sector.

October 05, 2018 05 Oct'18

Embedded communications have business embracing CPaaS

In the UC blog world, analysts discuss how businesses are embracing CPaaS for embedded communications, why SD-WAN and MPLS make a strong team, and why Cisco is losing focus on collaboration software.

October 04, 2018 04 Oct'18

Partner gateways connect endpoints to Microsoft Teams video conferencing

Businesses can now use third-party endpoints for Microsoft Teams video conferencing through cloud services from BlueJeans, Pexip and Polycom.

October 03, 2018 03 Oct'18

Users at Workday Rising learn of HR modeling plans

The Adaptive Insights acquisition gives Workday the ability to combine HR and financial data into one model. The integration may require outside assistance now, but will improve in time.

October 02, 2018 02 Oct'18

Low-code development platforms bring speed, friction

Low code is enabling organizations to push out mobile apps more quickly. But, for some organizations, low-code platforms introduce organizational challenges.

September 28, 2018 28 Sep'18

Microsoft doubles down on Office 365 AI capabilities

Microsoft confirmed its strategic commitment to Office 365, delivering an improved version that includes new AI and machine learning features.

September 28, 2018 28 Sep'18

Microsoft and Cisco diverge on UC interop amid customer complaints

Despite sharing many of the same customers, Microsoft and Cisco are unlikely to cooperate on interoperability between the latter's collaboration apps and Microsoft's Office 365.

September 28, 2018 28 Sep'18

Three master data management strategies to boost CRM-ERP success

'Bad data' circulating through a company's ERP environment will likely cause interfaces to fail. Learn how one business leader is cleaning things up.

September 28, 2018 28 Sep'18

Slack acquires Astro for email AI interoperability

In UC news, Slack acquires AI-powered email platform Astro, while CounterPath launches a team collaboration platform for SMBs.

September 28, 2018 28 Sep'18

Microsoft Teams migration supported by partner services

Unify Square and AudioCodes introduce call quality monitoring for Microsoft Teams, while Crestron and Yealink launch audio and video devices for Teams meetings.

September 26, 2018 26 Sep'18

Salesforce Einstein Voice, Customer 360 data sharing on deck

Salesforce users to benefit from new and extended partnerships with Apple, AWS and IBM, the upcoming Customer 360 integration tool and Einstein Voice.

September 26, 2018 26 Sep'18

Microsoft blocks cloud Skype sign-ups for small businesses

Microsoft will soon block new small-business sign-ups for cloud Skype for Business, as the vendor is getting more aggressive in its campaign to transition customers to Microsoft Teams.

September 26, 2018 26 Sep'18

Inforum 2018: Focus on human potential and the power of AI, HCM

At Inforum 2018, the company announced new vertical products, while emphasizing the need to rethink HCM and talent analytics in today's tight labor market.

September 26, 2018 26 Sep'18

Salesforce Health Cloud roadmap boasts payer tools, CX, AI

Salesforce users in healthcare get tools that bring membership and benefits data and insurance utilization and claims data analysis tools into Health Cloud.

September 26, 2018 26 Sep'18

Clicks-and-bricks one-up online companies with behavioral data

Physical stores and banks are closing, losing ground to more agile online competitors. Technology and data can help them fight back.

September 26, 2018 26 Sep'18

IT pros see security win with Microsoft Managed Desktop

Microsoft's Managed Desktop service extends physical device management into the cloud era, with managed security updates and a monthly subscription fee.

September 25, 2018 25 Sep'18

Salesforce AI users reveal pros and cons

Salesforce Einstein users shared their experiences with the AI tools, including the challenges of getting the C-suite to buy in.

September 25, 2018 25 Sep'18

Microsoft readies hybrid Skype for Business to ease Teams migration

Microsoft is working on a hybrid Skype for Business that would provide a stepping stone toward using the IP communications software on the Microsoft Azure cloud.

September 25, 2018 25 Sep'18

Microsoft intros Cortana Skills Kit for app developers

Microsoft has unveiled the Cortana Skills Kit, a platform comprising Azure AI services developers can use to leverage the Cortana voice assistant to improve worker productivity.

September 25, 2018 25 Sep'18

IT's essential toolbox for troubleshooting and managing users

End-user computing administrators spend a lot of time considering which products and services to deliver to end users that will make the employees' jobs easier. But what about the IT pros themselves? They need a variety of tools for managing users ...

September 25, 2018 25 Sep'18