Tips

Tips

• 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

• 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

• Use cases for IoT and UC integration starting to emerge

  The convergence of IoT and UC technologies seems to be emerging. IoT tools, for example, could track the use of meeting rooms and interact with collaboration apps.  Continue Reading

• GDPR rules have big effect on UC applications

  The European Union General Data Protection Regulation sets tighter controls on businesses and how they handle customers' personally identifiable information.  Continue Reading

• AV1 video codec carries clout with royalty-free status

  Industry giants, including Cisco and Microsoft, have backed AOMedia's new royalty-free codec. So, what does this mean for royalty-bearing video coding standards?  Continue Reading

• Will social messaging apps and Apple Business Chat supplant SMS?

  The limitations of SMS are starting to emerge. Meanwhile, social messaging apps and Apple Business Chat offer richer interactions between customers and contact centers.  Continue Reading

• Software for team collaboration presents deployment challenges

  When organizations evaluate team collaboration apps, should IT or lines of business implement the service? The answer might be somewhere in the middle.  Continue Reading

• Communication API vendors offer serverless architecture benefits

  A serverless architecture benefits communication developers in several ways, including fewer maintenance tasks, automated scalability and quicker time to market.  Continue Reading

• Which business messaging app will prevail in the contact center?

  Apple, Facebook and Google are rolling out messaging apps that connect businesses and consumers. As a result, contact centers should consider an omnichannel messaging strategy.  Continue Reading

• Is the virtual SBC market poised for rapid growth?

  Recent market developments and research indicate virtual SBC products could see a significant upswing, as companies find success with virtualized offerings.  Continue Reading

• Conference rooms of the future target meeting efficiency

  When overhauling your meeting room technology, don't forget the basics, such as high-speed network connectivity and power accessibility for all end users.  Continue Reading

• The evolution of unified communications technologies

  Over the years, unified communications tools have evolved to incorporate different modes of collaboration. Enterprises need to be receptive to this ongoing innovation.  Continue Reading

• Room-based video conference software aids workflows, management

  Huddle rooms, or small meeting rooms, can benefit from room-specific video conferencing software that enhances collaboration workflows and IT management.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft Teams integration with Cisco Spark presents challenges

  Microsoft and Cisco interoperability does exist in unified communications. But, for team collaboration, Microsoft Teams integration with Cisco Spark adds another wrinkle.  Continue Reading

• How to navigate the enterprise collaboration market

  When evaluating enterprise collaboration services, first look inward at your company needs. Some key collaboration criteria include scalability, security and uptime.  Continue Reading

• Video conference hardware simplified, affordable for huddle rooms

  Video conferencing vendors have aimed to simplify deployments with cost-effective kits that include cameras and audio peripherals for small meeting rooms.  Continue Reading

• Five predictions for communication and collaboration trends in 2018

  In the new year, watch for team collaboration tools to become the primary user interface. And one UC vendor might mark the end of life for its on-premises platform.  Continue Reading

• Virtual assistant apps not quite geared for businesses, yet

  While popular among consumers, virtual assistant tools are not exactly deployed in enterprises. But IT leaders are showing interest in this emerging business technology.  Continue Reading

• Video conferencing usage gets new analytics to gauge ROI

  Instead of assuming video ROI success, enterprises can now see a correlation between video conferencing usage and productivity with the help of new analytics tools.  Continue Reading

• Is a communications API SLA strong enough for enterprises?

  When downtime occurs, an API service-level agreement should pinpoint customer and vendor responsibilities. Enterprises will need to monitor their API SLA closely.  Continue Reading

• Apple Business Chat looks to polish customer messaging

  Harvesting the power of the iPhone, Safari web browser and other search assets, Apple is looking to cultivate integrated chat between businesses and customers.  Continue Reading

• UCaaS providers reap the benefits of changing attitudes toward cloud

  Many organizations are viewing UCaaS as a more secure alternative to their on-premises technologies. Is it time for you to consider unified communications as a service?  Continue Reading

• Unified communications platforms lack security scrutiny

  As UC platforms become more open to the outside world, IT leaders need to heed newer threats, including guest-access features, federation capabilities and cloud services.  Continue Reading

• Messaging platforms flout traditional real-time telephony

  Business messaging defies traditional telephony-centric, real-time communications. The persistence and efficiency of web-based messaging offers a new way to collaborate.  Continue Reading

• How UC channel partners can capitalize on communication APIs

  IT teams often lack developer resources to integrate communication APIs. But UC channel partners can step in to help customers embed communications into their workflows.  Continue Reading

• WebRTC market expected to see more gradual changes

  In the new year, track these WebRTC market trends -- the proliferation of API platforms, the adoption of live broadcast streaming, and whatever Microsoft and Apple decide to do.  Continue Reading

• Integrate contact center and unified communications platforms

  The lines are blurring between contact center and unified communications platforms, as team messaging capabilities help agents collaborate and resolve customer issues.  Continue Reading

• Cisco Spark, Slack ignite fledgling team messaging market

  Emerging team messaging platforms have great potential. Cisco Spark, in particular, is poised to affect the UC market, but widespread enterprise adoption remains unclear.  Continue Reading

• Voice gateways provide powerful connectivity options

  Voice gateways connect VoIP networks to telecom providers and analog phones, while also providing backup call support. But these sensitive devices need proper security.  Continue Reading

• Design redundancy into VoIP communication systems

  Implementing redundancy at the VoIP and network infrastructure levels is an integral part of VoIP communication, ensuring call and business continuity.  Continue Reading

• Five techniques for getting a robust VoIP infrastructure

  A VoIP expert stresses the importance of a separate voice VLAN setup, quality-of-service enablement and edge routers for a robust VoIP infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• Calculating VoIP bandwidth needs for SIP trunk services

  Part three of our series, SIP Trunking Explained, looks at the amount of VoIP bandwidth you'll need to avoid latency for SIP trunk services via a dedicated line or an Internet connection.  Continue Reading

• The truth about five nines availability in unified communications networks

  Five nines availability is attainable with traditional telecommunications networks, but is it attainable with a unified communications network? This tip explains how to calculate availability and how it relates to unified communications software and...  Continue Reading

• How silence suppression saves WAN bandwidth

  Silence suppression, or voice activation detection (VAD), technology is used to save WAN bandwidth used by VoIP traffic, while comfort noise generation (CNG) counteracts negative affects on VoIP speech quality.  Continue Reading

• VoIP bandwidth: Calculate consumption

  The bandwidth needed for VoIP transmission depends on compression technology, packet overhead and the network protocol used. In this tip, learn how to calculate how much bandwidth your VoIP implementation will need.  Continue Reading

• How voice compression saves bandwidth

  Compression of voice traffic can save bandwidth on your IP network, but can cost quality or cause delays. Learn more about the CODECs or standards for voice compression -- and their effect on call quality -- in this tip.  Continue Reading

• Turning analog phones into VoIP phones

  How an ATA or broadband phone works and what kind of features and performance you can expect from them.  Continue Reading