From Operator Connect Accelerator and Zoom Whiteboards to free consultations for SMBs, here are extracts from popular stories this week.
‘One-Third of UCaaS Sales Will Soon Go Through Marketplaces’
One-third of UCaaS sales are set to be transacted via marketplaces later this decade, according to Canalys Chief Analyst, Jay McBain.
McBain will talk through how the unified communications industry will transform across all facets – from technology, to partner programmes, to buying habits.
“We’ve talked in the past about the vast growth of marketplaces and how the money changes hands is changing,” he said.
“We think that about one-third of UCaaS will go through marketplaces this decade, one-third will go direct, and one-third will go in-direct.
“They are very different numbers than we have today, so the flow of money is changing.”
This is against a backdrop of changing dynamics, with UCaaS solutions not always being procured centrally in businesses.
Zoom Whiteboard Collaboration Tool Now Available
Zoom has now made its collaboration tool, Zoom Whiteboard, available for general release.
The Zoom Whiteboard was designed to help the hybrid workforce work together seamlessly on a digital canvas, creating and sharing new ideas.
Following a redesign, Zoom’s virtual Whiteboard is now a cross-platform solution, integrated with Zoom Meetings and Zoom Rooms. Support for Zoom Chat will also be functional soon.
Zoom Whiteboard has several design features: dashboard, sharing, notes and messages, shapes, connectors, images, and canvas size. Zoom believes its solution also offers greater security than in-room whiteboards, which may be vulnerable to data leakages.
Oded Gal, Chief Product Officer of Zoom, said: “Not only are we supporting customers as they adapt to this new phase of work, but we’re anticipating what comes next, and building platform solutions, like Zoom Whiteboard, to address it.”
“Zoom Whiteboard is arming teams with the power of continuous communication in an easy-to-use solution that provides a virtual space to collaborate before, during, and after a meeting.”
Zoom’s Latest Privacy and Security Updates
Zoom has announced new third-party certifications, privacy features, and security collaborations.
A third-party attestation has come from the Dutch organisation, SURF, and it has received provisional authorisation from the Defence Information Systems Agency (DISA).
Third-party certifications include the Cyber Essentials Plus certification, the Common Criteria Certification, and the ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification.
Automatic updates are Zoom’s most recent privacy and security release and Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) will soon be available.
Zoom has utilised security collaborations with CISO Council, Deutsche Telekom, the U.S. government, and a private bug bounty program.
Jason Lee, Chief Information Security Officer at Zoom, said: “Safety, security, and privacy are at the core of how we make decisions at Zoom and enhance our platform.
“We remain committed to being a platform that users can trust for all of their online interactions, information, and business.”
Microsoft Launches Operator Connect Accelerator
Microsoft has launched a new programme to help carriers get Operator Connect approval quicker.
Operator Connect Accelerator will see carriers and service providers work with certified partners to get accreditation. So, these partners provide services around API integration, managed SBC as a service, integration into operator OSS and BSS, sales enablement, provisioning and billing.
Launch partners of the programme include Ribbon, AudioCodes, NUWAVE and SIPPIO and Microsoft itself through Azure of Operators (Metaswitch).
Taimoor Husain, Modern Workplace Strategy and GTM Lead for Telcos at Microsoft, said:
“Operator Connect Accelerator is designed to help service providers dramatically improve the time it takes to deploy their telecom services for Teams, reducing time-to-market and making it easier for businesses to adopt Teams as their office phone system, replacing costly legacy equipment.”
Microsoft’s Operator Connect is an alternative to Direct Routing and lets businesses plug existing voice services into Teams. The vendor controls the service more tightly than Direct Routing, with the aim to give users a better experience.
Microsoft Launches Free Consultations for SMBs
Microsoft is offering free one-to-one technology consultations to SMBs in the UK.
The service will be available via walk-in appointments at its flagship London store or through booked virtual meetings.
Joy Attuh, Senior Hub Manager at Microsoft UK, said: “We recognise that organisations across the UK may need more personalised support as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and ways of working change.
“The free Business Consultation service can help with digital transformation plans by deploying cloud-based technology tools and services such as Microsoft 365 and Dynamics to empower employees and unlock growth.
“Microsoft will be there every step of the way to answer questions and guide customers.”
Microsoft said its product experts will give businesses tailored solutions and then help with procurement and deployment.
