Tips

Tips

• Harnessing diversity and inclusion in technology key in 2021

  Prioritizing diversity and inclusion in collaboration technology can help companies maintain their cultural touchpoints -- even during a pandemic.  Continue Reading

• AR and VR in video conferencing offer post-pandemic benefits

  In a post-COVID-19 world, understanding the differences between AR and VR video conferencing will help companies determine which technology might be best for them.  Continue Reading

• Slate of Microsoft Teams enhancements to spur adoption in 2021

  File sharing, reporting and end-user productivity are just a few of the Microsoft Teams enhancements users can expect as they prepare for 2021.  Continue Reading

• UCaaS adoption rises as firms consolidate UC setups

  Cloud-based UC provides the agility, mobility and cost savings organizations need. The current trend to consolidating UC in the cloud, and as a service, will likely expand.  Continue Reading

• 2021 trends in video conferencing focus on flexibility

  Video conferencing took center stage as companies found ways to connect their dispersed workforce. For 2021, trends in video conferencing include how to make the technology more versatile, and more fun.  Continue Reading

• 2021 trends driving the future of unified communications

  While 2021 is full of uncertainty for many organizations, four unified communications trends will drive buying decisions as IT leaders prepare for the future of work.  Continue Reading

• Unified communications analytics mature to verify business value

  There is more than one way to showcase the value of unified communications in the boardroom. UC analytics can help companies obtain the metrics they need to prove a business case.  Continue Reading

• Whiteboard apps support virtual ideation for remote teams

  Ideation is more challenging as employees continue to work remotely. Virtual whiteboard apps are an emerging tool designed to help team members generate the innovations that businesses rely on.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft and Amazon take on CPaaS market share

  The CPaaS landscape is evolving as Microsoft and Amazon introduce their own communications APIs. Learn how cloud computing vendors entering the market is changing the CPaaS game.  Continue Reading

• Enterprises mull software-based business phone alternatives

  Cellphone usage has outpaced POTS in the home, so why are enterprises still using desk phones? Business phone alternatives can save companies time and money.  Continue Reading

• Speech recognition use cases enable touchless collaboration

  For companies bringing workers back to the office, touchless collaboration is key. These three speech recognition use cases can help make that transition easier.  Continue Reading

• Unified communications strategy shifts in wake of COVID

  Unified communications strategy has to accommodate both remote workers and those employees who may come back to the office. Where are companies allocating their UC budget dollars?  Continue Reading

• Reimagining the future of conference rooms, post-COVID-19

  Before employees are comfortable going back into conference rooms, companies will need technology to help them rethink the future of conference room design.  Continue Reading

• Making the business case to migrate to Microsoft Teams PBX

  Replacing an on-premises PBX with Microsoft Teams Phone System offers organizations flexibility with pricing, hardware and collaboration capabilities but does have limitations.  Continue Reading

• Building a strategy for intercompany collaboration

  Collaboration with external users is a challenge, especially when multiple platforms are involved. Learn the three factors IT should consider to support intercompany collaboration.  Continue Reading

• Why remote work needs mobile unified communications

  As organizations prepare their return-to-work strategies, mobile unified communications is key to ensure consistent access to communications tools, regardless of the user's location.  Continue Reading

• UC management key to platform performance, cost savings

  Organizations that want to maximize their UC deployments should invest in specialty UC management tools that provide greater insight into performance and security.  Continue Reading

• Develop an effective unified communications security plan

  A complete unified communications security plan requires an understanding of threats to UC systems, how to mitigate them and how to proactively address long-term security needs.  Continue Reading

• Future-proof your UC strategy with these 3 best practices

  Future-proofing UC can be difficult, as technology evolves and employee needs change. Learn three best practices to consider before investing in a UC deployment.  Continue Reading

• Learn the top 8 most useful Microsoft Teams tips and tricks

  Enhance employee collaboration and workflow with these eight Microsoft Teams tips and tricks, including productivity-boosting app integrations and guest access for external users.  Continue Reading

• How to make a business case for unified communications

  Making a business case for unified communications isn't the same as deciding on a PBX. ROI, for example, isn't as important. But training is. Here is what you should focus on.  Continue Reading

• Businesses replacing phone calls with video meeting platforms

  Organizations are dropping their audio conferencing services in favor of video meeting platforms as they consolidate overlapping features and seek integrated communications.  Continue Reading

• Reevaluating budgets to provide UC devices to home workers

  Providing a consistent UC experience means taking a second look at budgets to determine how to outfit home workers with UC devices like headsets and webcams.  Continue Reading

• Post-pandemic world calls for new video conferencing strategy

  The physical room may no longer be where business meetings take place, even post-pandemic. A new video conferencing strategy is required if companies are to remain productive.  Continue Reading

• Video conferencing security and why it's so hard to attain

  As the number of remote workers soars, video conferencing security has become a critical issue. What do you need to know about securing your conferencing platform?  Continue Reading

• Increased remote work requires evaluating collaboration costs

  Organizations taking advantage of free collaboration offerings during the pandemic must consider how collaboration costs will change as remote work continues.  Continue Reading

• Enterprise collaboration market upended as remote work surges

  The enterprise collaboration market is facing significant change as employees work from home. Find out what companies need to do to help their workers thrive in this new environment.  Continue Reading

• Reassessing unified communications tools in work-from-home era

  COVID-19 is ushering in a new normal for companies and their workspaces. UC managers must consider three factors when evaluating unified communications tools to support operations.  Continue Reading

• Legacy UC infrastructure issues hamstring remote work demand

  Hybrid cloud UC could be the answer to UC infrastructure problems that are making it difficult for remote workers to connect to their corporate networks.  Continue Reading

• Gains in WebRTC technology making it increasingly versatile

  WebRTC technology is now an important part of today's unified communications environment. But its road to adoption didn't come without a few bumps along the way.  Continue Reading

• How to approach livestreaming bandwidth management

  Livestreaming bandwidth management requirements will differ depending on whether organizations use a managed video service or take a DIY approach.  Continue Reading

• 4 benefits of deploying managed UC services

  Managed UC services offer organizations several benefits, including reduced management and maintenance requirements for IT, and enable users to communicate beyond corporate network boundaries.  Continue Reading

• 5 key Microsoft Teams capabilities to support remote work

  Organizations looking to support remote employee productivity can take advantage of five Microsoft Teams capabilities that enhance remote collaboration and keep company data secure.  Continue Reading

• Enterprises need to meet E911 compliance for teleworkers

  As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt business as usual, enterprises need to meet E911 compliance for teleworkers' emergency calls with accurate location information.  Continue Reading

• Remote work best practices emphasize UC collaboration tools

  Maintaining business continuity in times of crisis requires following remote work best practices that provide a consistent experience and keep employees productive.  Continue Reading

• Evaluating video conference options: BYOC, kits, appliances

  The varieties of video conferencing tools can be confusing. Let our expert help you gain clarity on how kits, appliances and bring-your-own-compute options work.  Continue Reading

• Video key to coronavirus business continuity planning

  Coronavirus business continuity calls for video to support remote work mandates. Learn the benefits of video conferencing and best practices for video meetings among remote employees.  Continue Reading

• The 3 benefits of maintaining T1 and E1 lines

  T1 and E1 lines may be old technology, but they have advantages over more modern internet connections. Learn the three benefits T1 and E1 offer compared to internet links.  Continue Reading

• Determining the business benefits of CPaaS use cases

  Deploying CPaaS can improve business efficiency. But the success of CPaaS use cases depends on the benefits outweighing service implementation and development costs.  Continue Reading

• 5 cloud SLA best practices for a strong UC strategy

  Organizations need a strong cloud SLA to meet their UCaaS performance needs. These five cloud SLA best practices provide guidance on how to get the most out of a UCaaS provider's SLA.  Continue Reading

• UCaaS market verticals require custom platform features

  UCaaS market verticals have unique communications requirements. Most platforms now offer businesses more customizability to tailor features and integrations to meet specific needs.  Continue Reading

• On-premises vs. cloud vs. hybrid UC deployment models

  UC deployment has evolved, and enterprises can now choose from on-premises or cloud-based UC options or a mix of both. Find out how to decide which UC model is right for you.  Continue Reading

• 3 benefits of unified communications for small business

  Small businesses that adopt unified communications can expect to improve employee engagement, reduce costs and consolidate overlapping tools.  Continue Reading

• Build a collaboration hub to transform team workflows

  Team collaboration applications are coming together like never before. Learn how hubs are working now and why your team should get on board with this trend.  Continue Reading

• The top 6 CPaaS trends to track in 2022

  The CPaaS market is evolving to address digital transformation demands as a result of COVID-19. Provider priorities in 2022 include increased scale and improved support for video.  Continue Reading

• 4 SIP trunking benefits for cloud migration

  SIP adoption continues to grow, even as more organizations migrate their communications to the cloud. Learn the benefits that come from bringing SIP trunking to UCaaS.  Continue Reading

• 7 tips to improve unified communications security

  Unified communications security should not be overlooked. Follow these seven best practices to ensure all the elements of your UC system are secure.  Continue Reading

• CPaaS vendors can't ignore email in an omnichannel strategy

  CPaaS vendors are expanding their omnichannel communications strategy beyond voice and SMS. Email APIs can create tighter integrations with business workflows.  Continue Reading

• Unified communications for small business goes beyond telephony

  Is your small business ready for UC? Learn how to build a UC strategy that addresses business goals, employee collaboration needs and IT requirements.  Continue Reading

• Test your PBX and phone system for Kari's Law compliance

  Starting in 2020, multiline phone systems must comply with Kari's Law. Learn what requirements your phone system must meet and how to test for Kari's Law compliance.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft Teams Rooms system offers benefits, hardware concerns

  Bringing Microsoft Teams to meeting rooms offers several collaboration benefits. But IT must carefully evaluate hardware options to get the most out of a Teams Rooms system.  Continue Reading

• How AI in the workplace will affect collaboration and job performance

  AI in the workplace can enhance unified communications and collaboration services. But IT decision-makers must consider three effects on employee collaboration and job roles.  Continue Reading

• Webex Teams vs. Microsoft Teams: Choosing the right platform

  Find out which collaboration platform is the best fit for your business in the Webex Teams vs. Microsoft Teams showdown. Compare security and collaboration tools, as well as price models.  Continue Reading

• Cloud unified communications adoption still faces barriers

  Upgrade costs and security concerns were once the main barriers to cloud unified communications. But while vendors addressed those concerns, new barriers to adoption have emerged.  Continue Reading

• Craft collaboration metrics to enhance business benefits

  Collaboration metrics should focus on more than just how well platforms and tools function. Metrics should shift focus to how much collaboration tools improve a business.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft Teams voice lacks 5 key cloud calling features

  While Microsoft Teams voice capabilities have improved, organizations are still lacking certain calling features, such as dial-by-extension and advanced call activity reports.  Continue Reading

• Stand-alone vs. integrated collaboration: 3 factors to consider

  Moving from legacy communications is no small task. Three factors must be considered to ensure successful adoption of new integrated collaboration tools.  Continue Reading

• Hybrid video conferencing architecture bridges on premises, cloud

  Organizations that keep their video conferencing architecture on premises for investment or security reasons can gain the benefits of the cloud with a hybrid approach.  Continue Reading

• Maximize huddle room technology with collaboration metrics

  Organizations should use collaboration metrics with their huddle room technology to measure employee productivity and the effectiveness of collaboration technologies.  Continue Reading

• UC network automation improves IT efficiency

  UC network automation will help reduce errors and boost staff efficiency. But take time to plan your implementation to ensure success.  Continue Reading

• A collaboration program is essential for effective teamwork

  Learn what steps must be taken in order to create effective enterprise team collaboration in an era when IT no longer controls what applications and platforms workers choose to use.  Continue Reading

• How to manage hybrid cloud QoS in unified communications

  The two most common approaches to a hybrid UC configuration require different management techniques to maintain hybrid cloud QoS for voice, video and other real-time communications.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft Teams has HIPAA collaboration compliance benefits, risks

  Microsoft Teams can be a boon for communication and collaboration in healthcare settings, but collaboration compliance with HIPAA regulations must be top of mind.  Continue Reading

• How to structure a VoIP budget when moving to the cloud

  When migrating to cloud communications, reevaluate your budgets to consolidate overlapping collaboration features, retire hardware and transition to an Opex model.  Continue Reading

• AI in cameras adds innovation to enterprise video conferencing

  Organizations that want to make the most of their meetings and develop new video use cases can turn to AI in cameras from cloud providers and video conferencing services.  Continue Reading

• 8 best practices to create a Microsoft Teams pilot program

  Unsure if implementing Microsoft Teams is right for your organization? Learn how a pilot program can help test the platform to determine if it meets user needs.  Continue Reading

• What are the benefits and disadvantages of video conferencing today?

  The advantages and disadvantages of video conferencing have evolved as video has become more accessible and affordable. Cultural changes have also influenced video adoption.  Continue Reading

• UCaaS vs. CCaaS: Weighing communications architecture integrations

  More organizations have a need to integrate UCaaS and CCaaS to support office and contact center workers. Two elements, in particular, will affect integration options.  Continue Reading

• How to address the challenges of adopting AI in communications

  Adopting AI can be a complex process. AI in communications can be especially challenging, but organizations can take certain steps to overcome these hurdles.  Continue Reading

• Webex Teams vs. Microsoft Teams: Comparing telephony options

  Are you evaluating Webex Teams and Microsoft Teams telephony options? Learn how to decide which calling capabilities meet your organization's needs in the Webex Teams vs. Microsoft Teams debate.  Continue Reading

• Business collaboration strategies differ between IT and LOBs

  IT and lines of business have different requirements for collaboration technology. Learn why conflicting priorities can lead to unsanctioned app deployments.  Continue Reading

• 6 reasons to keep your unified communications system on premises

  While many organizations are looking to the cloud for UC services, on- premises remains the reality for others. Learn which six factors fuel the decision to keep UC an on-premises deployment.  Continue Reading

• 8 best practices for adopting cloud video conferencing services

  Ready to migrate to cloud video conferencing? Keep these eight best practices in mind to pick a service that employees will use so you can achieve adoption success.  Continue Reading

• Make VoIP the starting point for hybrid communications

  Moving to VoIP is the first step toward creating a hybrid unified communications architecture. Learn how to test and maintain voice quality for a successful migration.  Continue Reading

• Business desk phones see changing role in the enterprise

  Desk phones seem to be going the way of the Dodo in favor of softphones and mobile clients. But research suggests organizations are finding new ways to use desk phones for business.  Continue Reading

• How AI, machine learning improve real-time communications traffic

  Ready to move on from legacy quality-of-service policies for your real-time communications? AI and machine learning offer new ways to simplify and improve real-time traffic management.  Continue Reading

• Where the UCaaS market is and where it's headed

  Fresh survey results from Nemertes show a dynamic market for UC as a service with some unpredictable impact on organizations and networking staff.  Continue Reading

• Top ways unified communications in the cloud affects you

  Rapid developments in cloud-based unified communications means there is no time to lose when it comes to planning the strategic and tactical reorganization of your IT team.  Continue Reading

• 5 UC and collaboration trends to watch in 2019

  As we close the door on 2018, look to the future of communication and collaboration trends that will influence the UC market landscape in 2019.  Continue Reading

• 2 key use cases of blockchain in communications

  Blockchain in communications can provide additional layers of UC security by reinforcing voice identity and privacy, while also protecting companywide collaboration.  Continue Reading

• Understanding MOS for voice quality

  Looking to improve the quality of voice calls? Learn which mean-opinion-score models measure and rate the user experience and the factors that influence voice quality.  Continue Reading

• New UC vendor trends shaping enterprise communications market

  With more enterprises looking for a single vendor to meet all of their communications needs, vendors are adding to their portfolios to create more complete communications offerings.  Continue Reading

• 7 steps to select the right product for deploying SD-WAN for VoIP

  Ready to deploy SD-WAN for VoIP? Networking expert Terry Slattery offers seven tips for selecting the right product to support real-time voice needs.  Continue Reading

• 3 reasons Google Assistant Duplex raises security, privacy concerns

  Google Assistant Duplex introduces a new level in machine-driven conversation technology, but not without raising security and privacy concerns.  Continue Reading

• Migrating from PBX to VoIP: A hybrid VoIP approach

  A hybrid VoIP system can be the bridge from PBX to VoIP telephony strategies. Our expert helps to highlight the advantages of a hybrid approach.  Continue Reading

• Huddle rooms create new meeting room management requirements

  New video conferencing tools don't require high-level support from IT and AV teams, which allows them to take a more strategic approach to management.  Continue Reading

• AI in contact centers offers agents behavioral analytics

  Contact center AI offers tools to help agents provide better customer service through behavioral analytics. But AI may also present some privacy concerns.  Continue Reading

• How to check for packet loss to manage call quality

  Network managers learn more straightforward techniques to get a more accurate reading when testing for network packet loss in order to manage call quality.  Continue Reading

• How chatbot AI in contact centers can improve self-service

  Deploying AI in contact centers can address IVR pain points and improve customer self-service with chatbots that create a conversational and streamlined customer experience.  Continue Reading

• How to prevent cloud computing bandwidth issues in UCaaS adoption

  The adoption of UCaaS architecture presents network challenges. Learn what tools are available to support video and voice quality without causing cloud computing bandwidth issues.  Continue Reading

• 4 ways to prep the network when planning to implement VoIP

  Before deploying VoIP platforms, make sure you have the infrastructure to support your communications needs. Learn what factors influence the network technology you'll need to support VoIP.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for large video conferencing room design

  Large-room video conferencing systems are seeing renewed growth, as corporate mandates and employee demand drive enterprise deployments. Following best practices ensures the right design for large room video.  Continue Reading

• Apple Business Chat vs. WhatsApp business messaging API partners

  WhatsApp is taking a different approach than Apple when it comes to business messaging APIs. Tsahi Levent-Levi explains how WhatsApp is differentiating with vendor partnerships.  Continue Reading

• The hidden costs of unified communications in the cloud

  Many organizations expect to lower the costs of unified communications by adopting cloud communications, but that isn't always the case. Several factors influence costs when UC migrates to the cloud.  Continue Reading

• UCaaS market for next-generation features APIs, AI, more

  The market for unified communications as a service is getting crowded. To stand out, vendors must now offer next-gen features, such as AI and contact center integration.  Continue Reading

• 4 ways AI services can improve video meeting room technology

  AI is making its way into meeting rooms to improve productivity and enhance collaboration. AI services are addressing employee collaboration needs in four ways.  Continue Reading

• Design huddle rooms to mirror team collaboration workflows

  Different teams conduct different types of meetings. As a result, small conference rooms should be customized to accommodate specific collaboration workflows.  Continue Reading

• Benefits of artificial intelligence in communication

  Enterprises that want to enhance their UC strategies can see several benefits of artificial intelligence in communication, collaboration, information access and UC endpoint control.  Continue Reading

• Six tips to deploy a quality unified communications system

  In order to troubleshoot a unified communications system, IT leaders should have a written list of common problems and a description of how to resolve those issues.  Continue Reading

• How to monitor application performance in the cloud

  As you move real-time applications to the cloud, you might relinquish some network control. However, several mechanisms are available to monitor application performance.  Continue Reading