News

News

• May 13, 2015 13 May'15

  Jive Chime adds to business collaboration app market

  Jive Software's new, real-time messaging app focuses on simplicity, mobility and consumer-grade ease of use in the highly competitive collaboration app industry.

• May 12, 2015 12 May'15

  UC blogs: The evolution of video collaboration in education

  In this week's blogs, analysts discuss how video collaboration has evolved in the education industry and whether video integration is a threat to WebRTC PaaS.

• May 08, 2015 08 May'15

  Customers can build on top of Cisco collaboration tools with Tropo acquisition

  Cisco's Tropo acquisition will provide tools that customers can use to build communication apps into Cisco's collaboration software.

• May 08, 2015 08 May'15

  Shopping for a UC cloud services provider

  Cloud UC buyers have many services and providers to consider. But a cloud services provider is also seeking the appropriate potential customers.

• May 07, 2015 07 May'15

  Microsoft reins in Office 365 collaboration tools

  Microsoft launches tools that bring consistency to Office 365's wide-ranging collaboration portfolio.

• May 07, 2015 07 May'15

  Enterprises must be proactive in DDoS mitigation

  DDoS attacks are more prevalent than ever and enterprises can't always rely on their service providers for protection. Learn what enterprises should do for effective DDoS mitigation.

• May 05, 2015 05 May'15

  UC recap: ShoreTel, HP and Ingram Micro partner on hosted UC service

  In this week's recap, ShoreTel, HP and Ingram Micro have partnered to create a hosted UC service aimed at SMBs, while analysts discuss collaboration vendor relationships and Polycom's first quarter performance.

• May 04, 2015 04 May'15

  SDN promises real-time UC app, network dialogue

  The promise of SDN for real-time communications is to give UC apps the network paths and priority they need to eliminate performance problems ---- and development is part way there.

• April 30, 2015 30 Apr'15

  When organizational politics dictate the Cisco vs. Microsoft decision

  The Cisco vs. Microsoft decision doesn’t always come down to features and cost. Sometimes, organizational politics come into play.

• April 28, 2015 28 Apr'15

  YouTube influences video content management in the enterprise

  Enterprises looking to deploy a video content management system should take a page out of YouTube's book. While video content management allows organizations to store videos, create content and ...

• April 28, 2015 28 Apr'15

  UC recap: RingCentral adds contact center software

  In this week's recap, analysts blog about the changing audio conferencing market and BYOD risks, while RingCentral has partnered with inContact on cloud contact center software.

• April 27, 2015 27 Apr'15

  Arkadin resells Blue Jeans video services

  UC provider Arkadin will resell Blue Jeans video service as part of a new partnership between the companies

• April 21, 2015 21 Apr'15

  UC blogs: Twilio adds WebRTC video

  In this week's blogs, analysts discuss Twilio's move into WebRTC video and Avaya increasing workforce optimization support for SMBs.

• April 16, 2015 16 Apr'15

  Mobility sparks 'wonderful disruption' in our lives, work

  The power and proliferation of mobile devices are not new concepts. But stepping back and evaluating the mobility market and its staggering numbers – and what it all means for unified ...

• April 14, 2015 14 Apr'15

  Microsoft Skype for Business faces user concerns

  IT managers fear the Microsoft Skype for Business rebrand will cause confusion among employees. Also a survey found concerns with performance management and end-user experience.

• April 14, 2015 14 Apr'15

  UC blogs: Cisco's enterprise video streaming plans

  In this week's blogs, analysts discuss Cisco's enterprise video streaming plans as it develops its partnership with VBrick, and explore collaboration barriers that prevent successful adoption

• April 14, 2015 14 Apr'15

  Google Hangouts-based video service could attract enterprise interest

  GMeet, a Google Hangouts-based video conferencing service reportedly being developed by the Internet giant, might be an enterprise-grade option.

• April 06, 2015 06 Apr'15

  Recap: Skype for Business ready to roll out

  In UC news, Skype for Business will roll out in Microsoft's April Office 365 update, while the global E-SBC market is seeing revenue growth driven by SIP trunking.

• March 31, 2015 31 Mar'15

  UC blogs: Kontiki's video streaming platform rebrand

  In this week's UC blogs, analysts discuss why Kontiki's video streaming platform rebrand is signaling a market change and how LogMeIn finally got contact center video right.

• March 26, 2015 26 Mar'15

  Private cloud offers a stepping stone into cloud UC for enterprises

  Enterprises interested in cloud UC are adopting a single-tenant, cloud-based UC model rather than multi-tenant UCaaS.

• March 26, 2015 26 Mar'15

  Award finalists Vidyo, Unify, 8x8 ramp up innovation

  Wearables technology, collaboration software and phone call analytics products showcase the current depth of offerings in the unified communications market.

• March 25, 2015 25 Mar'15

  Messaging apps headline Enterprise Connect

  Recapping the Enterprise Connect conference, Nemertes Research analyst Irwin Lazar says pervasive messaging apps are changing collaboration practices.

• March 24, 2015 24 Mar'15

  Enterprise messaging unseating UC platforms? Not so fast

  Market research debunks claims that enterprise messaging apps are poised to take market share away from UC vendors.

• March 24, 2015 24 Mar'15

  WebRTC use cases extend beyond contact center

  Big vendors need to heed the proliferation of WebRTC, says Tsahi Levent-Levi, a WebRTC consultant and Enterprise Connect 2015 conference speaker.

• March 23, 2015 23 Mar'15

  UC blogs: Microsoft UC rebranding gamble

  In this week's UC blogs, analysts discuss why Microsoft's UC platform rebranding is such a gamble and how American Express is setting the standard for WebRTC video use.

• March 18, 2015 18 Mar'15

  Microsoft, Polycom set Skype for business conferencing series

  Microsoft and Polycom introduced a sub-$1,000 video conferencing series for Skype for Business environments at Enterprise Connect 2015.

• March 18, 2015 18 Mar'15

  Is email an endangered species? IBM Verse and other alternatives

  Vendors and analysts at Enterprise Connect 2015 discuss the possible end of email and what UC tools might replace it.

• March 18, 2015 18 Mar'15

  UC Summit: Interoperability is out; ease of use is in

  While major UC vendors say users are in the driver's seat, they steer clear of making their products interoperable.

• March 17, 2015 17 Mar'15

  Cisco Spark the new name for Project Squared collaboration app

  Cisco has given a new name to Project Squared. The cloud-based collaboration app is now Cisco Spark and will cost as much as $25 per user per month, the company said at Enterprise Connect.

• March 17, 2015 17 Mar'15

  UC blogs: UC&C adoption is a balancing act

  In this week's UC blogs, analysts discuss why IT must manage the expectations and realities of UC&C adoption and which vendors offer the best deal when it comes to IP telephony and UC costs.

• March 17, 2015 17 Mar'15

  WebRTC-messaging combo challenging UC

  The WebRTC-messaging combo adopted by vendors challenging unified communications platforms is threatening to replace the latter with simpler and more flexible technology, an expert tells Enterprise Connect attendees.

• March 16, 2015 16 Mar'15

  UCaaS market no longer just for SMBs

  With the UCaaS market expected to double its revenue over the next three years, service providers are ready to take on enterprise customers at Enterprise Connect 2015.

• March 13, 2015 13 Mar'15

  UC expert: Messaging apps tap into collaboration market

  UC expert Irwin Lazar previews Enterprise Connect, saying the messaging apps market is one to watch as chat collaboration becomes a big topic this year.

• March 13, 2015 13 Mar'15

  Vidyo introduces wearable video technology for smart glasses

  Vidyo introduced its wearable video technology for smart glasses platforms ahead of Enterprise Connect 2015.

• March 13, 2015 13 Mar'15

  Enterprise Connect 2015: News, trends and video

  Our team reports on the latest unified communication trends and technology from Enterprise Connect 2015. Learn what's on the mind of users, IT pros and analysts and what enterprise communications vendors are offering.

• March 12, 2015 12 Mar'15

  Avaya video updates focus on mobility, consistency across portfolio

  The latest Avaya video updates include new hardware, focus on mobility and product consistency for users.

• March 12, 2015 12 Mar'15

  UC service and product preview

  Check out some of the anticipated UC service and product announcements coming out of Enterprise Connect 2015.

• March 09, 2015 09 Mar'15

  Recap: StarLeaf room system offers Lync integration

  In UC news, StarLeaf's latest video room system offers Lync integration, while CentralTouch announced a WebRTC platform to enable real-time communication in the contact center.

• March 05, 2015 05 Mar'15

  Jive social software boasts more metrics for targeted communications

  Jive social software is delivering more relevant content to administrators and users with an updated homepage, analytics and integrations.

• March 04, 2015 04 Mar'15

  UC blogs: Why enterprises need effective collaboration

  In this week's sUC blogs, analysts discuss why effective collaboration must be a priority for enterprises and how Google is ready to join the BYOD game with Android for Work.

• March 03, 2015 03 Mar'15

  AT&T, Microsoft launch joint mobile office suite

  AT&T and Microsoft have launched a mobile office suite for small and medium-sized businesses that includes audio calls, video conferencing, Office 365 and tech support.

• February 27, 2015 27 Feb'15

  Video conferencing software cutting into hardware revenue

  Video hardware revenues are expected to stagnate as video conferencing software grows in popularity. Vendors may be in trouble if they don't adapt to a changing market.

• February 26, 2015 26 Feb'15

  Social email, collaboration bolster inbox importance

  Combining collaboration and social features into existing email platforms will encourage adoption, without forcing users to work with standalone tools.

• February 18, 2015 18 Feb'15

  New Cisco collaboration certs expand expertise beyond voice, video

  The new Cisco collaboration certifications address the need to expand collaboration training for IT professionals beyond voice and video training.

• February 18, 2015 18 Feb'15

  UC blogs: Cisco finally arriving to the video streaming party?

  In this week's UC blogs, analysts discuss what Cisco's partnership with VBrick means for its enterprise video streaming service and the five trends that will have a major impact on the UC market this year.

• February 17, 2015 17 Feb'15

  Microsoft's Sunrise app acquisition to improve mobile email experience

  Microsoft has acquired Sunrise to improve the mobile email and calendaring experience in Outlook.

• February 16, 2015 16 Feb'15

  8x8 VoIP services now guaranteed over public Internet

  A new SLA guarantees 8x8 VoIP services 99.9% of the time, even for services delivered via the public Internet.

• February 12, 2015 12 Feb'15

  New Plantronics devices address UC noise

  While on a phone or video call, it’s pretty common to pick up some background noise -- whether it’s dogs barking, car horns blaring or a co-worker’s goofy ringtone. As offices become more open and ...

• February 11, 2015 11 Feb'15

  3CLogic adds WebRTC to its contact center services

  3CLogic is introducing WebRTC into its portfolio of cloud-based contact center services for click-to-call functionality without the use of plug-ins.

• February 03, 2015 03 Feb'15

  Jive social apps give users an enterprise-grade, mobile social experience

  The three new Jive social mobile apps gives users an enterprise-grade social experience in a lightweight, mobile form factor.

• January 30, 2015 30 Jan'15

  Video key to future of Web conferencing services

  Millennials, mobile workers driving changes in organizations' attitudes and usage of Web conferencing services, study shows.

• January 27, 2015 27 Jan'15

  ShoreTel Common platform: Same UC applications on land or in the cloud

  ShoreTel's forthcoming common UC platform gives customers an easy migration path to a hybrid or cloud-based UC approach.

• January 23, 2015 23 Jan'15

  Polycom RealPresence updates include new audio and visual features

  Polycom has announced new audio and video enhancements to improve the user experience of video conferencing.

• January 21, 2015 21 Jan'15

  Lifesize Cloud, video takes on Google in business video conferencing

  Lifesize Cloud updates, combined with new hardware video endpoints, competes with Google Chromebox in bringing business video conferencing to huddle rooms.

• January 19, 2015 19 Jan'15

  New Facebook for Work app may not address security concerns

  Businesses can soon legitimately use Facebook for work, as the new business-friendly application was officially released last week.

• January 16, 2015 16 Jan'15

  NextPlane expands UC federation service to voice, video

  NextPlane's expanded UC federation service allows users to make voice and video calls to other platforms without having to switch clients.

• January 15, 2015 15 Jan'15

  Will new real-time collaboration tools oust legacy products?

  Enterprises should prepare to migrate to newer real-time collaboration tools as vendors release new tools that rival their own legacy products.

• January 13, 2015 13 Jan'15

  Software-defined networks could give UC performance a boost

  Software-defined networks could be what enterprises need to ensure the performance and reliability of their UC applications and services.

• January 08, 2015 08 Jan'15

  The Buffalo Bills roll out new ShoreTel UC system

  The Buffalo Bills have deployed a new ShoreTel unified communications system to accompany their revamped stadium.

• January 07, 2015 07 Jan'15

  Real-time collaboration may finally blend into business processes

  Emerging real-time collaboration tools are becoming integrated into business processes, giving employees one place to go to get their work done.

• November 24, 2014 24 Nov'14

  Mitel backs off its ShoreTel domination plans, but should customers still be worried?

  Mitel has officially shelved its plans for a ShoreTel takeover. Mitel pulled its third acquisition proposal -- several days prior to the Nov. 20 deadline -- due to " the repeated refusal of ...

• November 11, 2014 11 Nov'14

  Cisco finds multitasking employees are changing UC&C

  A Cisco report shows shifts in work habits as multitasking and the technology that enables it, from mobile devices to UC&C tools, grow more popular.

• October 29, 2014 29 Oct'14

  Long-anticipated Unify UCC service Circuit seen as incomplete

  Industry experts say Unify UCC service Circuit has yet to deliver the promised groundbreaking features.

• October 24, 2014 24 Oct'14

  Jive-Google integration deepens

  A deeper Jive-Google integration will let users work simultaneously on documents within the Jive environment.

• October 16, 2014 16 Oct'14

  Plantronics headset review: The Voyager Legend UC

  The latest Plantronics headset -- the Voyager Legend UC -- allows users to connect hands-free to their mobile devices and UC applications.

• September 12, 2014 12 Sep'14

  Updated Jive Present, JiveX offer better collaboration

  Jive updated its cloud-based tools, including Jive Present and JiveX, for better mobility. It also unveiled early Cisco integrations.

• August 13, 2014 13 Aug'14

  Tighter Yammer-Microsoft integrations mean a more social Office 365

  As Yammer's co-founder leaves the company, Microsoft plans to deepen the integration of Yammer with Office 365 and Outlook. Learn more about the Microsoft-Yammer social integration.

• April 25, 2014 25 Apr'14

  Dropbox for Business finally delivers enterprise-grade file sharing

  Dropbox introduced new security features and its new collaboration platform, Project Harmony, as Dropbox for Business.

• April 10, 2014 10 Apr'14

  Striving for secure unified communications

  With security threats on the rise, IT must pay special attention to secure unified communications components, reports Jim Romeo.

• March 31, 2014 31 Mar'14

  SecureLogix CTO: The UC network security issues enterprises face

  SecureLogix CTO Mark Collier discusses at Enterprise Connect the UC network security issues enterprises are facing.

• 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.

• March 13, 2014 13 Mar'14

  Enterprise Connect 2014: New year, same UC technologies?

  The Enterprise Connect 2014 UC conference is showcasing many of the same technologies, but with the advancements enterprises are looking for.

• December 05, 2013 05 Dec'13

  UCaaS Magic Quadrant sees increased relevance of systems integrators

  Systems integrators bring customization expertise to the UCaaS market, which could help make UCaaS more attractive to larger businesses.

• October 15, 2013 15 Oct'13

  Siemens Enterprise Communications reborn as Unify; will it make a US comeback?

  Siemens Enterprise Communications changed its name to Unify in a rebranding effort emphasizing unified communication technology.

• September 18, 2013 18 Sep'13

  Enterprises need Microsoft Lync monitoring to ensure UC performance

  Lync environments need combined UC, network performance monitoring tools. NetSout's nGenius gains certification for Lync UC environments.

• July 31, 2013 31 Jul'13

  Social strategies: Enterprise-grade software, or consumer tools?

  Many enterprise social strategies still include consumer tools, but businesses are starting to realize the benefits of enterprise social software.

• July 24, 2013 24 Jul'13

  Google applications: Deeper integration between Voice, Hangouts

  Google drops XMPP and integrates its voice app into Hangouts to unify Google applications for a blended social experience.

• May 31, 2013 31 May'13

  Lync/Skype integration helps quench user demand, IT concerns

  The Lync/Skype integration will offer greater interoperability for external enterprise communications, without burdening IT.

• April 03, 2013 03 Apr'13

  Cloud telephony: A potential hit or miss for businesses?

  Cloud telephony users describe their implantation process, pros associated with moving to the cloud and advice for prospective customers.

• March 19, 2013 19 Mar'13

  Vidyo bets on virtual video conferencing for desktop adoption

  Vidyo is banking on virtual video conferencing software to drive desktop video adoption among businesses, claiming high growth in advance.

• March 19, 2013 19 Mar'13

  Are legacy voice attitudes holding back unified communications?

  At Enterprise Connect 2013, some enterprises are still trying to merge legacy voice into the rest of their IT organizations.

• February 27, 2013 27 Feb'13

  Blue Jeans Network integrates Lync-Skype and room-based video

  In addition to integrating Microsoft Lync and Skype, Blue Jeans Network enables screensharing and conferencing with room-based video.

• January 18, 2013 18 Jan'13

  Desktop and small group video conferencing solutions on the rise

  Small group video conferencing solutions are emerging for enterprises looking to extend roundtable video conference meetings to lower-level workers.

• November 08, 2012 08 Nov'12

  Enterprise mobility needs could ramp up UCaaS market

  The UCaaS market has been slowly evolving. As enterprises shift to using mobile devices to access UC applications, however, UCaaS could mature.

• October 31, 2012 31 Oct'12

  Cisco SBC technology beats Acme Packet as enterprise market leader

  Cisco SBC technology leads SBC market, more enterprises are choosing SBC technology from their UC vendor for greater interoperability and lower costs.

• September 25, 2012 25 Sep'12

  Collaboration during crisis with the Avaya Notification Solution

  The new release of the Avaya Notification Solution offers collaboration and communication for crisis management or everyday business continuity scenarios.

• August 29, 2012 29 Aug'12

  Hosted vs. multi-tenant UCaaS: What are enterprises receiving?

  As multi-tenant and hosted UC models emerge, enterprises must read between the lines to select the right service delivery model for UCaaS.

• August 16, 2012 16 Aug'12

  Social listening: Enterprises heed the call of Twitter

  Social listening has become as crucial as social collaboration. Collaboration tool MindLink integrates UC with social monitoring capabilities.

• June 28, 2012 28 Jun'12

  Microsoft announces Yammer acquisition, launches social strategy

  Microsoft officially announces Yammer acquisition, an effort to accelerate social strategy and cloud services.

• April 26, 2012 26 Apr'12

  Enterprise wish list: Video conferencing interoperability

  Service providers and vendors are trying to develop video conferencing interoperability for enterprises. InterCall and Blue Jeans Network partner for B2B video conferencing.

• April 19, 2012 19 Apr'12

  Enterprises leaning toward managed video-conferencing services

  Enterprises are turning to service providers for managed video-conferencing services to mitigate risk and lower operational costs.

• 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.

• January 11, 2012 11 Jan'12

  UCaaS Magic Quadrant: Providers not ready for large enterprises

  Gartner's latest Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) Magic Quadrant reveals an immature market that is better suited for SMBs than large enterprises.

• August 11, 2011 11 Aug'11

  Breaking cultural barriers to enterprise social software adoption

  The barriers to enterprise social software adoption are more cultural than technical. In this Q&A, Caleb Barlow, IBM director of UC, explains how UC pros can overcome them.

• June 02, 2011 02 Jun'11

  Unify UC user experience for mobile, bring your own device initiatives

  With increasing focus on mobility and bring your own device initiatives, UC pros must ensure that users who juggle multiple devices have a unified user experience.

• May 05, 2011 05 May'11

  Soft PBX adds flexibility to VoIP business continuity strategy

  Legacy TDM voice was often too expensive to build into a business continuity strategy. VoIP changed that, and some UC managers find more flexibility in soft PBX platforms.

• March 31, 2011 31 Mar'11

  Telepresence recording gets smarter with searchable video, auto-tags

  Who wants to sit through a 90-minute telepresence recording when only a fraction of it is relevant? In response, vendors are adding ways to search and tag content.

• February 10, 2011 10 Feb'11

  VoIP security issues: How you might become a target for TDoS attacks

  The maturation of VoIP deployments has opened UC pros to a new world of VoIP security issues -- telephony denial of service (TDoS) attacks. Contact centers are prime targets.