Evaluate

Evaluate

Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.

• CPaaS fuses communications apps with business workflows

  Communications platform as a service, or CPaaS, can fortify business processes. But IT leaders need to educate internal developers on the availability of these emerging tools. Continue Reading

• How will WebRTC development evolve in the coming year?

  WebRTC development is expected to see significant progress, including new media flows and video codec support. Check out these six key areas that should see noteworthy upgrades. Continue Reading

• This CCNP Collaboration quiz tests your Cisco UC smarts

  The Cisco Collaboration certification covers several technological components from ports to protocols. Take this quiz to test your knowledge of Cisco UC technologies. Continue Reading

• What are the benefits of SD-WAN for UC?

  SD-WAN can help organizations meet UC's bandwidth needs. Networking expert Carrie Higbie explains the benefits of SD-WAN in improving network efficiency for better UC performance. Continue Reading

• Google collaboration tools strong, but telephony lacking

  Searching for Google UC services? The company offers strong cloud, collaboration and mobility features, but telephony and third-party integrations are limited. Continue Reading

• Benefits of video conferencing unlock with flexible setups

  There's a dizzying number of products for enterprise video conferencing, and it's unlikely that a single type of endpoint will fulfill all your needs.Continue Reading

• WebRTC API library bolstered by servers, platforms, SDKs

  The WebRTC library provides helpful tools for browser-based, real-time communications, but it still needs help from servers, platforms and software developer kits.Continue Reading

• How can I use an online whiteboard in my business?

  Online whiteboards can be used for much more than basic note taking. UC expert Jon Arnold explains why whiteboard collaboration is vital to virtual meetings.Continue Reading

• Immersive collaboration makes its mark on the enterprise

  Large-scale interactive touchscreens and virtual canvases loaded with unified communications features are creating immersive collaboration environments for enterprises.Continue Reading

• Are real-time collaboration tools necessary for enterprises?

  Real-time collaboration has become a business requirement to support new ways of working. Expert Jon Arnold explains the importance of real-time collaboration tools in the enterprise.Continue Reading

• Cramming for Skype for Business 2015 exams? Take this quiz

  Gearing up for a Skype for Business deployment? This quiz, covering some of the technical aspects of the unified communications platform, should help you get ready.Continue Reading

• Startups showcase mobile innovations at Enterprise Connect

  At the Enterprise Connect Innovation Showcase, six startups displayed their mobile products and services, ranging from location tracking to real-time communications.Continue Reading

• Cloud communication, mobility spotlight UC innovations

  Mobility and cloud communications offer vendors and users great opportunities to innovate. Check out some of the latest UC services from Enterprise Connect.Continue Reading

• New video conferencing services highlight UC market trends

  CafeX, Cisco and Vidyo show off their latest video collaboration services at Enterprise Connect. Innovations include browser-based conferencing and cloud-based API frameworks.Continue Reading

• How can my company integrate a social collaboration platform?

  Organizations must involve early adopters in the process when deploying social collaboration software to ensure widespread adoption, according to UC expert Jon Arnold.Continue Reading

• Cloud-based video conferencing gathers steam

  Cloud-based video conferencing can help enterprises save time and money, as the expensive, big boardroom deployments are a thing of the past, according to one expert.Continue Reading

• Team messaging apps face hype vs. adoption dilemma

  Slack and other team messaging apps are popular among enterprise workers, even as IT departments try to figure out if these apps are right for their organizations.Continue Reading

• Cisco vs. Microsoft: Cloud becomes latest battlefront for UC

  As these industry giants wrestle for dominance in UC, their fight moves to the cloud. But as their offerings increasingly overlap, how do you decide which best fits your business?Continue Reading

• How secure is open source collaboration software?

  Open source collaboration can be rife with risk. Learn about the open source security requirements to consider and who should be responsible for security and support.Continue Reading

• How to evaluate potential UC management providers

  Organizations shouldn't just pick any UC management provider for their UC deployment. Learn the management requirements organizations should use to evaluate potential providers.Continue Reading

• WebRTC conference to gauge the technology's progress

  A WebRTC conference at Enterprise Connect will check the health of the browser-based communications technology, as many enterprises are using WebRTC without knowing it.Continue Reading

• Are digital phones required for a VoIP deployment?

  Configuring VoIP phones can take a good deal of legwork. Network expert Carrie Higbie explains the options available to organizations, from digital phones to softphones.Continue Reading

• Cloud, team chat apps top trends at UC conference

  UC analyst Irwin Lazar previews Enterprise Connect 2016. He highlights the latest cloud advancements, team chat collaboration applications and vendor strategies.Continue Reading

• Office 365 collaboration tools run the gamut

  Microsoft collaboration tools offer a wide array of capabilities, including team chat, video sharing and project planning. Here are five key apps to consider.Continue Reading

• WebRTC adoption slowed by browser incompatibility

  The lack of browser support and video codec interoperability has slowed WebRTC adoption. Yet, many organizations are using the browser-based technology and don't even know it.Continue Reading

• Considering unified communications as a service?

  The emergence of unified communications as a service, or UCaaS, is part of the broader trend of moving enterprise services and ...Continue Reading

• Why UC management is a business must-have

  Management should not be an afterthought when planning a UC deployment. Learn why UC management can help organizations overcome UC's complexity to reap its benefits.Continue Reading

• UC products: A comprehensive buyer's guide

  In this unified communications buyer's guide, explore the different UC products on the market and how the technology has evolved. Also, discover the basics of buying a UC service.Continue Reading

• UC analytics must mature before benefits are seen

  UC and collaboration analytics applications, which can track network and employee performance, need to mature before they can truly benefit a company.Continue Reading

• How to evaluate cloud unified communications services

  This guide will help you choose cloud unified communication services that best equip employees to work from wherever they are, and on whatever device they have.Continue Reading

• Unify OpenScape Voice: Product overview

  With support for mobility, video and scalability for up to 500,000 users, OpenScape Voice -- and the rest of the Unify UC portfolio -- is well-suited for large enterprises.Continue Reading

• ShoreTel Connect ONSITE: Product overview

  With a simple deployment model, the recently revamped ShoreTel UC platform is well-suited for multisite organizations and looks to contend with other major vendors.Continue Reading

• NEC UNIVERGE 3C: Product overview

  Unlike solutions that are licensed by service, the NEC UNIVERGE 3C offers a unique licensing model, providing users with complete UC services without additional costs.Continue Reading

• As Chrome adds VP9 codec support, enterprises must adapt

  Google Chrome recently announced VP9 video codec support for WebRTC applications. Enterprises need to find the appropriate use cases to capitalize on the enhanced media quality.Continue Reading

• Three steps to managing Skype for Business call quality

  To manage Skype for Business voice traffic, be sure to optimize your network, prioritize voice signaling, and take advantage of third-party tools and service partners.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Skype for Business Server: Product overview

  With its Skype for Business services, Microsoft has shaken up the unified communications market by launching an unconventional platform that's generating significant growth.Continue Reading

• Alcatel-Lucent OpenTouch suite: Product overview

  The Alcatel-Lucent UC portfolio, including the OpenTouch Business Edition and OmniPCX platforms, offers a wide range of features for both small and large organizations.Continue Reading

• Predicting WebRTC technology trends for 2016

  WebRTC services and technology saw a landmark year in 2015 with major acquisitions and greater adoption. Take a look forward into 2016 to see where WebRTC is headed.Continue Reading

• Enterprises taking control of SIP trunking services

  Self-service Web portals and APIs are empowering enterprises to reap the benefits of SIP trunking and take greater control of their IP-based voice services.Continue Reading

• The top five UC technology trends to watch in 2016

  According to one expert, the future of unified communications should see more API adoption, video conferencing in small meeting rooms and vendor consolidation.Continue Reading

• How to select video conference equipment

  Video conferencing is nothing new, but that doesn't make selecting video conference equipment any easier. This guide will help you assess the latest technology and select what fits your enterprise's specific requirements and budget.Continue Reading

• The 10 stories that dominated UC news in 2015

  Take a look at the UC news stories that shaped unified communications in 2015, from the rise of team collaboration apps to the changing video conferencing service market.Continue Reading

• Avaya UC product overview: Aura Communication Manager

  The Avaya Aura Platform, perhaps best suited for larger enterprises, supports messaging, voice, video, presence and mobility features, as well as virtualization.Continue Reading

• Mitel's MiVoice MX-ONE: Product overview

  Mitel communications products include the MiVoice MX-ONE suite, which can support up to 500,000 users. Many of Mitel's products can be managed from a Web browser interface.Continue Reading

• Cisco UCM: Unified communications product overview

  The Cisco UC Manager supports instant messaging, video conferencing, mobility and presence technology. The platform can support up to 100,000 users in a cluster configuration.Continue Reading

• Video conferencing technology evolution empowers new users

  The video conferencing market, once dominated by large room-based systems for internal company communications, now offers more flexible cloud-based options.Continue Reading

• UC as a service emerging as a viable deployment model

  Telephony expert Jon Arnold examines the emergence of UC in the cloud and discusses how its evolution is part of a growing shift toward cloud-based services for the enterprise.Continue Reading

• Do WebRTC and SIP perform the same functions?

  While SIP and WebRTC seem to perform similar functions, WebRTC won't be replacing SIP for enterprise communication anytime soon, according to expert Tsahi Levent-Levi.Continue Reading

• Choosing a VoIP vendor: A buyer's guide

  In this unified communications buyer's guide, we help you choose the right VoIP vendor for your enterprise and evaluate important criteria when buying VoIP services.Continue Reading

• Adtran VoIP offerings: NetVanta 7100/7060 product overview

  The Adtran VoIP lineup, consisting of the NetVanta 7100 and 7060 IP PBX products, supports a wide range of features, including routing, switching and stateful firewall.Continue Reading

• Mitel VoIP 3300 series controllers: Product overview

  The Mitel VoIP platform consists of the 3300 series controllers. With support for up to 2,000 SIP trunks, the 3300 series can replace legacy telephony in small or large businesses.Continue Reading

• ShoreTel phone system: Product overview

  The ShoreTel VoIP system boasts several voice switches, simplified administration and automated backup. The premises platform is ShoreTel's replacement for PBX telephony.Continue Reading

• With Edge, Microsoft implements WebRTC browser support

  The new Microsoft Edge browser interoperates with Chrome and Firefox for voice communication. So, is WebRTC browser support finally coming together? Not quite.Continue Reading

• Three buying principles for unified communications products

  After exploring possible use cases for unified communications systems, examine the value proposition, deployment models and vendor-partner relationship.Continue Reading

• How to bring Wi-Fi technology to the classroom

  Mobile devices are making their way into school curricula and education institutions must have network infrastructure to support Wi-Fi technology for education.Continue Reading

• How Wi-Fi services benefit the retail industry

  Retailers are looking for new ways to engage with customers in an increasingly digital space. Watch this video to learn how deploying a Wi-Fi network boosts customer engagement.Continue Reading

• Univerge series NEC VoIP: Product overview

  The NEC VoIP offerings include the extensive Univerge series and a wide range of compatible IP telephones to accommodate organizations of varying sizes.Continue Reading

• KX-TDE Series Panasonic VoIP system: Product overview

  Panasonic VoIP offerings include the KX-TDE series, with support for more than 1,000 extensions and up to 64 SIP trunks, providing customers with several configuration options.Continue Reading

• New habits reshape collaboration in the workplace

  Employee mobility, digital whiteboards, revamped video conferencing and persistent team chat spaces are redefining collaboration in the workplace.Continue Reading

• Cisco UCM voice over IP system: Product overview

  Designed for small and medium businesses, as well as large enterprises, Cisco UCM provides voice over IP technology that can replace a legacy telephone system.Continue Reading

• Adoption of UC cloud services rising, but challenges remain

  More enterprises are adopting UC cloud services and moving applications like video and email to the cloud. But roadblocks can impede adoption.Continue Reading

• Comparing the leading VoIP vendors and their products

  Before purchasing a VoIP system, enterprises need to carry out careful research as VoIP vendors offer intricate products with varying capabilities.Continue Reading

• Which WebRTC video codec will prevail?

  Cisco recently announced a new WebRTC video codec named Thor, which joins the fray of other video codecs competing for compatibility dominance.Continue Reading

• Users praise, critique Microsoft Surface Hub

  As early adopters evaluate the Microsoft Surface Hub, shipping of the large-screen collaboration device has been pushed back by four months.Continue Reading

• What you need to consider before you buy VoIP

  When assessing VoIP systems, first consider VoIP features and functions, then gauge the scope of the service, network needs and plans for expansion.Continue Reading

• Top WebRTC use cases for contact centers

  While many enterprises ought to explore their own WebRTC use cases, contact centers are leading the way in adoption of the browser-based technology.Continue Reading

• What constitutes a modern corporate intranet?

  Branding and end-user support could enliven today's corporate intranet. And learn how the intranet's future lies with the 'single pane of glass' concept.Continue Reading

• Toshiba IPedge VoIP System Product Overview

  The Toshiba IPedge is a secure software-based VoIP system intended to replace legacy telephony.Continue Reading

• Three use cases that highlight the benefits of VoIP

  Migrating from standard telephony to VoIP can be beneficial. In this article, telephony expert Jon Arnold examines three common VoIP use cases.Continue Reading

• Focus on WebRTC use cases to determine if it's right for you

  WebRTC use cases can help organizations identify problems and find solutions with the browser-based technology in order to determine if it's right for them.Continue Reading

• Analyzing VoIP basics reveals telephony's evolution

  Telephony expert Jon Arnold dissects enterprise VoIP basics -- including the technology's evolution and how it works -- and compares it with legacy telephony.Continue Reading

• WebRTC security concerns shouldn't deter enterprises

  Native media encryption and regular Web browser updates mitigate WebRTC security threats. Authorization and fraud-prevention mechanisms can help, too.Continue Reading

• How do you evaluate a potential UC system integrator?

  Industry leaders explain the factors that enterprises should consider when selecting a UC system integrator.Continue Reading

• What is a UC system integrator?

  Industry leaders explain the role of a system integrator when an organization rolls out UC and how it differs from a service provider and VAR.Continue Reading

• How to evaluate UCaaS providers' security measures

  Make sure potential UCaaS providers address multi-tenancy management, end-to-end encryption and session border controller issues for added security.Continue Reading

• RingCentral acquires Glip for team collaboration capabilities

  RingCentral acquires Glip to strengthen its portfolio as enterprises put more focus on team collaboration applications.Continue Reading

• Ubiety Room launches for interoperable cloud video conferencing

  Collaboration Squared launches its Ubiety Room cloud video conferencing service that promises interoperability without having to buy additional hardware.Continue Reading

• Video-conferencing hardware fine-tunes music academy's virtual classrooms

  Video-conferencing hardware has helped the Iconic Music Academy connect virtual classrooms worldwide with affordable technology.Continue Reading

• UC briefs: Plantronics UC headset reduces open workspace noise

  In UC news, Plantronics announces a UC headset aimed at reducing background noise in open workspaces, while Tango Networks debuts mobile messaging for Cisco Jabber users.Continue Reading

• Polycom RealPresence video platforms, cloud updates unveiled

  Polycom has introduced its first WebRTC-based videoconferencing platform. The company has also updated its video library and cloud-based video conferencing platform.Continue Reading

• What are the cost benefits of SIP trunking?

  Gartner analyst Sorell Slaymaker explains the cost benefits of SIP trunking for enterprises that make the migration from a legacy telephony system.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Surface Hub looks to revamp conferencing systems

  Combining hardware and software, the Microsoft Surface Hub looks to replace aging conference room equipment.Continue Reading

• Next generation 911 pinpoints location, supports multimedia messages

  NG 911 will support multimedia messages to 911 and help ensure that the locations of IP-based emergency communications are pinpointed.Continue Reading

• UC blogs: Make shadow IT part of your collaboration strategy

  This week in UC blogs, analysts discuss how shadow IT can align with an enterprise's collaboration strategy, and what WebRTC practices can be seen in an Internet trends report.Continue Reading

• Mobile VoIP apps extend offices to mobile devices

  Mobile VoIP apps make your mobile phone your office extension. Make calls on a mobile device via company phone lines with the benefit of added security.Continue Reading

• Cisco Spark vs. Unify Circuit: Comparing collaboration apps

  Collaboration apps that target mobile workgroups are making their way into the enterprise. Our chart compares two high-profile apps: Cisco Spark and Unify Circuit.Continue Reading

• Collaboration applications faceoff: Microsoft vs. Cisco

  Microsoft's Skype for Business and Cisco's Jabber and WebEx have similar features. Here, we compare these collaboration applications to find the similarities and differences.Continue Reading

• UCaaS has built-in DR and business continuity plans

  If a disaster knocks out your on-premises UC infrastructure, work comes to a standstill. UCaaS essentially has built-in disaster recovery (DR) and business continuity plans.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Skype for Business essentials: A look at the new platform

  Microsoft's recent rebranding of Lync to Skype for Business (SFB) is creating some confusion for IT leaders seeking to distinguish it from the consumer Skype service as they also look to integrate voice capabilities of SFB with their existing ...Continue Reading

• The VoIP basics every enterprise should know

  From migrating from the PSTN to security, learn the VoIP basics every network manager should know for a successful implementation.Continue Reading

• How challenging is implementing BYOD in a UC environment?

  What are some challenges of implementing BYOD in a UC environment? UC expert Jon Arnold explains the three high-level challenges organizations face with BYOD.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Skype for Business is not consumer Skype

  Despite integration with consumer Skype service, the new Microsoft Skype for Business still meets enterprise security and compliance requirements.Continue Reading

• What are the barriers to deploying SIP trunks?

  What are obstacles to SIP trunking? Gartner analyst Sorell Slaymaker explained at Enterprise Connect what barriers enterprises face deploying SIP trunks.Continue Reading

• Cost savings, agility drive adoption of cloud telephony services

  With cloud telephony, small companies see savings, while larger companies see mounting costs over a long lifecycle. But cloud agility is still appealing.Continue Reading

• With cloud video conferencing, the sky's the limit

  Cloud video conferencing becomes more popular as companies look to curb infrastructure costs and extend conferencing beyond their network boundaries.Continue Reading

• WebRTC applications could disrupt UC market

  Convergence among WebRTC apps, enterprise messaging and project management vendors challenge established UC players.Continue Reading

• Video conferencing services break out of the boardroom

  Desktop, cloud and mobility capabilities spur enterprise adoption of video conferencing services. Low entry costs and greater availability help, too.Continue Reading

• Is UC training necessary for end-user adoption?

  If UC is supposed to be intuitive, why do users need training? UC analyst Blair Pleasant explains best practices to follow and why UC training is necessary for any deployment.Continue Reading

• New analytics tools help track video conferencing usage

  You’ve invested heavily in video conferencing. Was it worth it? New analytics tools try to answer that question by reporting on video conferencing usage.Continue Reading

• What do you need to know before adopting video as a service?

  What should you know about video as a service before you deploy? Video expert Stephen Campbell explains how it integrates with existing endpoints and how to choose a provider.Continue Reading