As we close the chapter on 2025, it’s the perfect moment to pause, reflect, and look ahead. If the last year taught us anything, it’s that the definition of “work” is no longer static—and neither are the tools, strategies, or people that drive it.
2025 was a year of rapid transformation. According to Google Trends, interest in ‘Unified Communications’ and ‘Employee Experience’ has doubled in 2025. We saw the conversation shift from simply “deploying tools” to fundamentally reimagining the Employee Experience (EX). We listened to the market, analyzed the data, and realized that to serve you better, we needed to evolve.
That is why I am thrilled to announce our 2026 Editorial Calendar and our expanded mission to make UC Today the ultimate authority for everything EX-focused.
Partner with the Authority in EX
Align your brand with the future of work.
Connecting the Dots: Experience, Strategy, and Innovation
In 2026, we are widening our lens. While we remain deep in the tech, true success in the modern enterprise requires a holistic view. Our content strategy is now built on three converging pillars:
- The Human Experience: Human-centric content that addresses productivity, engagement, and employee experience.
- Strategic Insight: Strategy, actionable insights, and thought leadership for technology professionals and Line of Business leaders.
- Intelligent Innovation: The rigorous coverage you expect on Data, AI, Security, Compliance, and Innovation.
Strategic Moves: XR Today Comes Home & The Rise of AEO
You may notice a significant change in our ecosystem this year. We have made the strategic decision to rehome XR Today within UC Today.
Why? Because immersive technology is no longer a fringe novelty; it is becoming central to how we connect. As enterprises look toward AI and XR to bridge the gap between physical and digital presence, it only makes sense to house these insights under one roof.
Furthermore, we are transforming how we deliver this intelligence. We are looking at where the puck is heading for media publications, and it is clear that the future belongs to those who provide precision, not just noise.
To meet this moment, we have doubled our team size, investing in bright new talent dedicated to a dual mission: going deeper into the analysis you trust, and optimizing our content for AI search. We are shifting our focus from traditional SEO to AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) because we know modern business professionals want immediate, accurate answers. To support this, we are building a brand-new website powered by Techtelligence (our proprietary audience intelligence engine), set to launch in 2026.
2026 Themes: Defining the Complete EX Tech Stack
Our 2026 Editorial Calendar is designed to guide both enterprise buyers and industry professionals through the noise. We are redefining the Employee Experience (EX) technology stack by categorizing our coverage into three strategic layers:
- Foundational Core: We remain the market’s leading voice on Unified Communications & Collaboration. This is our heritage, anchoring our authority on vendor roadmaps, platform integration, and the tools that keep the world connecting.
- Expanded Scope: To reflect the consolidating toolset of the modern enterprise, we are expanding our coverage into Project & Task Management, Security & Compliance, and Productivity & Automation. We are also integrating Immersive Workplace & XR Tech—migrated from XR Today—as spatial tools move from novelty to necessity in training and collaboration.
- New Frontiers: True EX goes beyond communication. That is why we are launching dedicated coverage for Talent & HCM Platforms and Employee Engagement, Recognition, & Wellbeing. These new pillars link talent strategy directly with digital enablement, addressing the critical retention and productivity levers that today’s C-Suite prioritizes.
Q1 Spotlight: What We’re Covering First
To kick off the year, we are diving straight into the most pressing challenges facing IT and business leaders. Here is a look at our spotlight themes for the first quarter of 2026:
- January: Regulatory Readiness In A Fragmented World
Focus: Security, Compliance & Risk
The Why: As the new fiscal year begins, enterprises face diverging EU/US regulations on data, antitrust, and AI. With fresh audits and board risk reviews looming, compliance is back at the top of the agenda. - February: Migration Off Legacy PBX: The Last Mile
Focus: Communication
The Why: With PSTN switch-offs accelerating, buyers are under pressure to close final legacy gaps before costs spike. This is the critical window for stabilizing core communications hygiene. - March: Overcoming Tool Interoperability Barriers To Collaboration
Focus: Collaboration
The Why: As we head into Enterprise Connect, the year’s biggest showcase, the focus shifts to friction. CIOs are prioritizing interoperability between major platforms (Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Webex, Slack) to reduce silos and improve workflow.
Rising Topics We’re Watching Closely
Beyond our core pillars, the landscape is shifting fast. Here are the specific trends and technologies we are tracking that will define the next wave of workplace innovation:
- Agentic AI in the Workplace: We are moving past “chatty” assistants. The focus is now on AI agents that execute complex workflows autonomously, promising measurable ROI in employee efficiency.
- UCaaS & CCaaS Convergence: A major architectural shift is underway as CIOs consolidate vendors to reduce costs and unify data, seeking a single pane of glass for internal and external communication.
- Intelligent Meeting Rooms: As “Return to Office” mandates settle, the office must justify the commute. We are watching the rise of high-tech rooms ensuring equity for remote users via AI cameras and smart audio.
- Frontline Worker Tech: A massive, underserved market is waking up. Enterprises are investing in mobile-first tools to digitize deskless workers, reduce turnover, and close the gap between the field and HQ.
- UC Observability: With voice and video now business-critical, IT buyers demand tools that guarantee Quality of Service (QoS). Rapid troubleshooting and uptime monitoring are non-negotiable.
- Communication Compliance: Regulatory pressure, especially in finance and healthcare, is forcing upgrades to archiving and recording systems to handle the complexity of hybrid channels.
- Employee Wellbeing Tech: Burnout is a tangible retention risk. Buyers are looking for technology that passively monitors workload and actively supports mental health without being intrusive.
A Note to Our Community
I would like to take a moment to recognise the heartbeat of this publication: our community. To our loyal contributors, the PR professionals, and the marketing teams we work with annually—thank you. You help keep the industry moving forward.
For 2026, we are launching exciting new opportunities to help you achieve your earned and paid media goals, ensuring your stories reach the right decision-makers at the right time.
Connecting with our Team in the Year Ahead:
Thank You
Finally, a massive thank you to my dedicated team here at Today Digital. Navigating the uncharted waters of modern media requires grit, creativity, and passion. The UC Today and CX Today teams have worked tirelessly to help us thrive, and I am incredibly proud of what we have built together.
