Communications platforms and integrations
Integrating UC with other business apps and workflows can enhance collaboration and productivity. With offerings like CPaaS, businesses can use APIs and other development tools to connect disparate systems and enable a more seamless communications experience.
Top Stories
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Conference Coverage
01 Apr 2024
Everything Enterprise Connect 2024: News, trends and insights
Check out our news and analysis from Enterprise Connect, one of the largest enterprise communications and collaboration conferences happening in 2024. Continue Reading
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News
19 Mar 2024
Microsoft hires DeepMind co-founder amid Google-Apple news
DeepMind's cofounder will head a new division that focuses on Copilot. The move comes amid talk that Microsoft's rival's LLM might be incorporated into the iPhone. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Mar 2024
7 AI meeting assistants to consider in 2024
AI meeting assistants are packed with powerful features to improve employee productivity and meeting workflows. So, which AI tool is best for your organization? Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Jan 2024
Top 10 must-have unified communications features in business
Unified communications systems have evolved to reflect changing business processes. As a result, enterprises need to prioritize their must-have UC features. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Jan 2024
How to evaluate top UCaaS providers and vendors of 2024
Organizations have many considerations to make when adopting UCaaS. Learn how to evaluate key capabilities from top UCaaS providers, including mobility, security and integrations. Continue Reading
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News
11 Dec 2023
Atlassian releases AI capabilities for Jira and Confluence
The new capabilities show the rising prominence of software development copilots and lay the foundation for better knowledge management in an organization. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Dec 2023
Stepping into the collaborative workplace in virtual reality
Some see immersive, 3D collaboration spaces as an upgrade from video conferencing because they offer better opportunities for socializing, brainstorming, onboarding and training. Continue Reading
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News
01 Nov 2023
Mural intros Mural AI, integrates with Microsoft 365 Copilot
The integration of Copilot into the visual collaboration platform shows how vendors are working together to bring customers generative AI tools that interoperate between systems. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Oct 2023
Chromecast
Chromecast is a streaming media adapter from Google that allows users to play online content such as videos and music on a digital television. Continue Reading
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News
03 Oct 2023
Project management vendor Asana brings AI to Work Graph
The project management platform vendor brings 'smart' tools to its work efficiency monitoring tool to unearth specific problems and identify concrete ways teams can solve them. Continue Reading
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News
28 Sep 2023
Everbridge 360 emphasizes communication, preparedness
Everbridge envisions its new 360 critical event management platform as a multiyear release. Features are heavy on the ability to communicate in a disaster. Continue Reading
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News
29 Aug 2023
Google releases Duet AI for Workspace; new Meet, Chat tools
The tech giant released its collaboration suite virtual assistant and unveiled new tools to help users summarize and translate meetings and enable teleprompts for presentations. Continue Reading
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Answer
25 Aug 2023
RCS vs. SMS: What's the difference?
SMS is being supplanted by RCS to let carriers compete against WhatsApp and Messenger and open new avenues to business messaging. Learn the difference between RCS and SMS. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Aug 2023
analog telephone adapter (ATA)
An analog telephone adapter (ATA) is a device used to connect an analog telephone, fax machine or similar equipment to a computer or network to enable communications over the internet. Continue Reading
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News
09 Aug 2023
Slack launches redesign to centralize notifications, tasks
The collaboration vendor is out with a new interface to centralize workspaces for Enterprise Grid customers and display notifications and unify create functions in one view. Continue Reading
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News
02 Aug 2023
Salesforce offers tighter Slack integration with Sales Cloud
The CRM giant released tools that bring customer data and insights to the collaboration platform, such as instant account updates sent directly to channels for review. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Jul 2023
Exchange Online post-migration steps for admins
A move to the hosted email platform is an opportunity to streamline how users work with other Microsoft 365 services. But it requires IT to stay current with the product roadmap. Continue Reading
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News
13 Jul 2023
Hybrid workplaces need accessible, integrable UC platforms
Users want videoconferencing to interoperate with on-site hardware, virtual whiteboards that integrate into workflows and design platforms that are accessible to all contributors. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Jul 2023
How IT departments structure collaboration management
Today, there are countless apps used to communicate across companies. IT departments are taking two approaches to organize the teams responsible for collaboration deployments. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Jun 2023
Collaboration tool sprawl challenges and how to address them
Using multiple communication and collaboration tools can cause productivity headaches. There are steps IT can take to avoid these issues and manage collaboration tool sprawl. Continue Reading
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Definition
27 Jun 2023
What is UCaaS? Unified communications as a service guide
Unified communications as a service (UCaaS) is a cloud delivery model that offers a variety of communication and collaboration applications and services. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Jun 2023
UCaaS vs. CCaaS vs. CPaaS: What's the difference?
It can be difficult to make sense of popular cloud communications service models. Compare UCaaS vs. CCaaS vs. CPaaS to understand their differences and how they can be used together. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Jun 2023
Sport teams drive sales leads with an AI digital assistant
American soccer club Louisville City and the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks use Conversica to target the most promising leads for their sales teams and drive profit for their organizations. Continue Reading
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Definition
30 May 2023
incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC)
An incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) is a type of U.S. telephone company that provided local service when the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was enacted. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 May 2023
CPaaS brings cloud contact center features to on premises
Organizations with on-premises contact centers don't need to make a full cloud migration to modernize their systems. CPaaS can enable cloud features and drive key business metrics. Continue Reading
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News
17 May 2023
Zoom takes on Anthropic's AI assistant for Contact Center
The video and collaboration platform vendor has allied with OpenAI spinoff Anthropic and is integrating Anthropic's chatbot, Claude, for a decentralized approach to training AI. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 May 2023
Follow these steps to decommission Exchange Server
An Exchange Server migration includes a lot of moving parts but it's important to cover the training aspect to make sure your users aren't left behind. Continue Reading
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News
08 May 2023
20-year evolution of Everbridge critical event management
Everbridge critical event management has reached Ukraine and work-from-anywhere users. CEO David Wagner explains how he's guided the company through difficult times. Continue Reading
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News
04 May 2023
Slack GPT quickly summarizes channels and creates canvases
The CRM giant unveiled a generative AI assistant for its Slack collaboration platform to let users quickly summarize channels, draft messages and create whiteboard-like canvases. Continue Reading
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News
02 May 2023
Microsoft releases Teams Payments app for small businesses
The tech giant brings transaction capabilities to its Teams platform, expanding digital commerce options for small businesses that offer online services through Teams. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Apr 2023
Microsoft and Cisco certification deepens interoperability
These UC blogs review Microsoft's and Cisco's latest integrations and the business strategy driving them, as well as how to ensure collaboration security in the workplace. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Apr 2023
collision in networking
In a half-duplex Ethernet network, a collision is the result of two devices on the same Ethernet network attempting to transmit data at the same time. Continue Reading
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News
24 Apr 2023
Slack releases updated API platform for developers
The instant messaging collaboration vendor released its updated API platform for developers to create functions that interact with APIs. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Apr 2023
baseband
Baseband in the transmission of communications signals means only one path is available to send and receive digital signals between devices. Continue Reading
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Definition
20 Apr 2023
broadband
Broadband refers to telecommunications in which a wide band of frequencies is available to transmit information. Continue Reading
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News
19 Apr 2023
Atlassian unveils generative AI-backed tools for Confluence
The collaboration software vendor incorporated a virtual assistant supported by OpenAI technology to summarize meetings and draft tweets in Confluence, its collaboration space. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Apr 2023
Tap collaboration devices for employee experience data
Collaboration devices play a key role in supporting employee experience, from extracting engagement data to improving hybrid meeting parity. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Apr 2023
How generative AI for business enhances collaboration
Generative AI has become a leading technology topic. Digital assistants and idea generation are two ways the technology could increase employee productivity. Continue Reading
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News
12 Apr 2023
Cisco provides extra-secure Webex for U.S. government
Cisco will provide a higher-security cloud-based unified communications platform for U.S. national security and defense personnel to monitor classified data, starting in 2024. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Apr 2023
3 common video conferencing problems and how to solve them
Employees have grown more skilled with video over the last few years. But video problems still plague meetings today. Learn how to address the most common challenges. Continue Reading
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Video
10 Apr 2023
Recap Enterprise Connect hybrid work trends, generative AI
Analysts discuss the top trends from Enterprise Connect 2023, including generative AI and how to make hybrid work more inclusive. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Apr 2023
Extend collaboration tools with 'Google Workspace User Guide'
Collaboration tools are key as businesses shift to hybrid work. Google Workspace supports productivity with Google Classroom, Marketplace apps and Google Assistant. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 Apr 2023
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a proprietary specification designed to ensure compatibility between video and audio devices over a single digital interface. Continue Reading
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News
30 Mar 2023
IT pros face hybrid work technology challenges
Enterprises need specialized video conferencing equipment for office spaces that are usually empty to accommodate both in-office and remote participants during meetings. Continue Reading
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News
28 Mar 2023
Microsoft updates Teams for faster online collaboration
The tech giant's popular collaboration platform gets new features including enabled multi-tenant accounts, QR code sign-in for hot desking and interoperability with Cisco devices. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Mar 2023
Meeting room hardware supports hybrid employee experience
Meeting room hardware must evolve to support the hybrid employee experience. Meeting Owl 3 and Owl Bar are two devices aiming to create a more equitable meeting experience. Continue Reading
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News
27 Mar 2023
Zoom to boost Zoom IQ with generative AI-backed capabilities
The videoconferencing platform's new Open AI-backed tool will provide email writing suggestions. More updated tools include a chat composer and meeting summarizer. Continue Reading
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News
27 Mar 2023
Amazon Chime SDK gets new tools for call analytics insights
The communications service's new call analytics tool set enables users to conduct voice tone analysis to track customer sentiment and send the data to their preferred data lake. Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2023
Vonage's API tools embed video and add bulk messaging
Vonage drops an embedded video conferencing tool that can live on any platform and a mass communication tool to let enterprises customize messages at scale. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Mar 2023
How to prepare for the next version of Exchange Server
The Exchange Server roadmap charts several twists and turns that shows Microsoft deviating from its typical course with the server-based email platform. Continue Reading
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News
17 Mar 2023
Microsoft unveils AI-backed Copilot for Teams, Word and more
Microsoft 365 Copilot integrates AI-supported tools into Microsoft's productivity apps to help users write and organize emails, garner insights, and corral disparate data. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Mar 2023
Cisco hybrid work bundle enhances employee experience
This series of UC blogs examines Cisco's hybrid work bundle, Neat's new Neat Pulse offering and how Zoho Workplace increases work productivity. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Mar 2023
Why you should plan to migrate to Exchange 2019 soon
An upgrade to the latest Exchange version will bring added functionality for end users and security enhancements. But it will also help ease the transition to Exchange vNext. Continue Reading
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News
02 Mar 2023
Microsoft Teams AI updates for chat, Rooms Pro Management
The tech giant's $10 billion investment in OpenAI brings AI-supported updates to its basic Teams offering, on top of features supported by GPT-3.5 to Microsoft Teams Premium. Continue Reading
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News
28 Feb 2023
ClickUp 3.0 built for scalability with AI, universal search
The new platform moves to the modern cloud infrastructure and offers a streamlined inbox, an AI-supported writing tool and universal search to access files across many apps. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Feb 2023
Slack workflow automation enhances Shipt productivity
After Shipt deployed Slack's workflow automation tools, the company saw greater productivity and communication with its employees and shoppers. Continue Reading
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Answer
14 Feb 2023
Understanding UC interoperability challenges
The growth of remote and hybrid work has driven demand for better interoperability among collaboration tools. But supporting interoperability isn't without its challenges. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Feb 2023
UC vendors extend mobile telephony capabilities
UC providers like Cisco and Microsoft are expanding mobile voice services in their platforms, enabling employees to use native dialing and more advanced mobile features. Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2023
Microsoft boosts Teams Premium tools with OpenAI's GPT-3.5
Microsoft leverages OpenAI's large language model in Teams Premium to draw meaningful information from recorded meetings. More AI features are on the roadmap. Continue Reading
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Answer
07 Feb 2023
Comparing visual collaboration and ideation for productivity
Visual collaboration and ideation each play a specific and significant role in increasing worker productivity, while also working toward growing today's market. Continue Reading
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News
03 Feb 2023
New Teams Rooms features aim to streamline user control
Microsoft's latest changes to Teams Rooms include easier access to its most-used buttons, a scroll-through calendar preview and more ambient theme background display options. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Feb 2023
What's new with the EXO v3 module for Exchange admins?
Microsoft made several significant improvements in the Exchange Online PowerShell v3 module for added reliability and performance when managing the hosted email platform. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Jan 2023
Microsoft's OpenAI investment to boost work productivity
This series of UC blogs examines Microsoft's investment in OpenAI, Amazon Chime's advancements that increase productivity and RingCentral DaaS. Continue Reading
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News
31 Jan 2023
Zoom adds chatbot virtual assistant to CCaaS offering
The Zoom chatbot uses conversational language and proprietary AI to assist people calling Zoom's contact center as a service. Zoom launched its CCaaS last year. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Jan 2023
Compare Microsoft Teams Operator Connect vs. Direct Routing
As more companies migrate their telephony to Microsoft Teams, IT departments have two options to bring their current PSTN provider to the Teams platform. Continue Reading
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Answer
24 Jan 2023
Can Microsoft Teams send text messages?
As more companies move to remote work, IT teams can enable sending text messages through Microsoft Teams for quicker and easier communication among users. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Jan 2023
Top UC and collaboration news of 2022 highlights 4 key trends
Review the 2022 UC and collaboration news highlights to learn about the trends that drove the market, and discover how these trends will influence the market in 2023. Continue Reading
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Definition
29 Dec 2022
data transfer rate (DTR)
The data transfer rate (DTR) is the amount of digital data that's moved from one place to another in a given time. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Dec 2022
Understanding hot desking pros and cons for the hybrid office
Hot desking is one way to manage workspaces in a hybrid office. Learn some hot desking pros and cons to decide if it's the right approach for your company. Continue Reading
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Definition
01 Dec 2022
Google+ (Google Plus)
Google+ (pronounced Google plus) was a Google social networking platform discontinued for personal use in 2019. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Nov 2022
How to approach a Webex-Teams integration and make it work
Cisco and Microsoft are finally breaking down the interoperability barriers between Webex and Teams apps. Companies will be able to soon reap the benefits. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Nov 2022
Enterprise applications of the metaverse slow but coming
From holographic avatars to training surgeons, metaverse applications for enterprises are many. But the technology for organizations is still in its infancy. Continue Reading
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Answer
26 Oct 2022
How asynchronous video communication boosts remote work
When it's time to share information with colleagues, a full-blown video conference isn't always necessary. Maybe an app like TikTok could help. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Oct 2022
Balancing remote work privacy vs. productivity monitoring
Weighing employee productivity monitoring against remote workers' privacy is a serious issue that requires protecting personal and corporate data and setting the right policies. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Sep 2022
How to decide on what Office 365 add-on licenses to use
Missing certain functionality and want to supplement your subscription to Office 365 or Microsoft 365? Find out what extras make sense for your organization. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Sep 2022
Consider Azure AD group-based licensing for Office 365 users
Administrators who manage many users can go one step further toward streamlining license assignments by taking advantage of a new feature from Microsoft. Continue Reading
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News
22 Sep 2022
New Everbridge CEO takes over at critical time
New Everbridge CEO David Wagner details his areas of focus for the company. Investor Ancora has suggested that a private equity firm should acquire Everbridge. Continue Reading
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News
26 Aug 2022
Zoom updates Contact Center, but features lag rivals
Zoom has added new Contact Center tools for supervisors and agents, giving management better insight into metrics while offering agents more ways to help customers. Continue Reading
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News
01 Aug 2022
Zoom IQ provides more intelligence for sales teams
Zoom's latest enhancements to IQ for Sales represent a product diversification strategy focused on delivering better intelligence to sales teams. Continue Reading
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News
19 Jul 2022
Microsoft releases cloud contact center platform
Contact center platform technology buyers have another option: Microsoft assembles a CCaaS from Nuance, Power Platform, Teams and -- for those who need it -- Dynamics 365 tech. Continue Reading
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News
07 Jul 2022
Zoom One bundles services to draw single-vendor customers
Zoom ties its services together in Zoom One as it evolves from a video conferencing app to a communications platform. The company targets firms that want a single UC vendor. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jun 2022
Understanding WebRTC security architecture
WebRTC is a secure technology for real-time communications, but security also depends on the application using it. Find out how developers can maintain that security. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jun 2022
Do you meet all the modern authentication requirements?
Microsoft's push to a more secure method for user authentication and authorization could catch some enterprises flat-footed if IT hasn't done its homework. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
27 Jun 2022
How to set up Exchange Online modern authentication
Microsoft plans to tighten up security on its hosted email platform to prevent attackers from gaining access to user credentials. Is your organization ready? Continue Reading
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Answer
23 Jun 2022
How do you evaluate UC applications for frontline workers?
UC offerings differ depending on business goals and intended users. When evaluating tools for frontline workers, consider factors based on communication, endpoints and workflows. Continue Reading
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News
14 Jun 2022
Cisco links Webex to ThousandEyes internet intelligence
Integration between the Cisco Webex Control Hub and ThousandEyes lets IT administrators spot internet problems before they can affect video conferences. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Jun 2022
UC, employee experience management offer complex insight
New research shows that many organizations are rethinking the employee experience amid remote work. Here are the methods, platforms and tools to consider in your evaluation. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 May 2022
Microsoft modern authentication deadline looms over Exchange
Support for basic authentication will end this year, giving administrators who haven't switched to a newer authentication method little time to prepare for a smooth transition. Continue Reading
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News
27 Apr 2022
Salesforce pushes automation for Slack
Salesforce's low-code automation tool Flow and programming language Apex will soon work on Slack. The company said the move will help workers avoid rote tasks. Continue Reading
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Answer
29 Mar 2022
What's the difference between speech and voice recognition?
It's easy to be confused about the difference between speech and voice recognition. Each has a specific role to play in business collaboration and contact centers. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Mar 2022
digital video broadcasting (DVB)
Digital video broadcasting (DVB) is a set of standards that define digital broadcasting using DVB satellite, cable and terrestrial broadcasting infrastructures. Continue Reading
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Definition
09 Mar 2022
podcasting
Podcasting is the preparation and distribution of audio files using RSS feeds to the computers or mobile devices of subscribed users. Continue Reading
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Definition
02 Mar 2022
greenfield deployment
A greenfield deployment is the design, installation and configuration of computer infrastructure where none existed before, for example, in a new office. Continue Reading
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News
16 Feb 2022
Microsoft integration tightens bonds between Teams, Outlook
Microsoft's upcoming integration will add Teams' collaboration capabilities to the Outlook email client. The update should save time for corporate workers. Continue Reading
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News
11 Feb 2022
Companies face legal uncertainties defending against NFTs
Companies enter a legal gray area when protecting their intellectual property, copyrights and trademarks against NFT makers. Continue Reading
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News
28 Jan 2022
Zoom launches virtual conference floor for online events
Zoom wants virtual events to feel more like in-person sessions. The company's 2D virtual show floor, Expo, aims to re-create that sense of presence for remote attendees. Continue Reading
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Answer
27 Jan 2022
Pairing SD-WAN, UCaaS together has benefits and challenges
Organizations may combine SD-WAN and UCaaS to gain synergies and avoid multivendor complexities. But the combination of the two technologies can create challenges. Continue Reading
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News
26 Jan 2022
Meta makes frontline worker push with Workplace, WhatsApp
Meta will allow businesses to send Workplace announcements over WhatsApp this year. The integration lets HQs use a popular consumer app to communicate with frontline workers. Continue Reading
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Answer
25 Jan 2022
Video streaming vs. video conferencing: What is the difference?
Companies are finding that video streaming and video conferencing can serve the same purpose. That doesn't mean, however, they are interchangeable. Find out why. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Dec 2021
UCaaS for frontline workers poised for adoption 'explosion'
The unified communications and collaboration market has historically neglected customer-facing and field workers. But experts suggest a frontline UCaaS boom could be on the horizon. Continue Reading
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News
15 Dec 2021
Avaya pushes OneCloud customization
Avaya aims to create an ecosystem of customers, developers and partners that use its many integration tools to tailor the OneCloud platform for their individual needs. Continue Reading
