Zoom’s Transformative Workplace Platform Now Generally Available
Zoom has announced that its potentially transformative AI-powered communications and collaboration platform, Workplace, is now generally available.
Initially announced at Enterprise Connect last month, Workplace introduces new features designed to help users rethink teamwork, foster connections, and enhance productivity—all within the familiar Zoom environment and powered by its flagship AI Companion assistant.
Smita Hashim, Chief Product Officer at Zoom, said:
Zoom Workplace delivers an AI-powered experience that fuels productivity and collaboration to help teams make the most of their time. Modern workforces need AI deployed seamlessly across their workflows in a cost-efficient way. Zoom AI Companion, available at no additional cost, helps make connecting with colleagues and customers easier and helps to get work done more efficiently, so they are free to tackle meaningful projects that drive business impact.”
Starting today, account owners and users (pending admin approval) can update their Zoom app to version 6.0.0 or download it directly from the Zoom website to gain access to Zoom Workplace and its array of new features and capabilities.
NEC To Shutter On-Premises UC Operations Outside Japan
NEC has announced it will shutter its on-premises unified communications operations outside Japan over “the next few years”.
The vendor explains the decision as responding to the evolving market demand for more cloud-based services in recent years as organisations around the world undergo their collective digital transformation.
“NEC has announced the decision to exit our on-premise Unified Communications business outside of Japan over the next few years,” a spokesperson for NEC told UC Today. This decision follows significant shift of market demands from on-premise to cloud based services in recent years. We are committed to supporting our customers with this phase out and meeting our existing contractual obligations.”
The change applies only to NEC’s on-prem UC products and services. The exit process will not impact current and prospective customers of NEC UNIVERGE BLUE, the vendor’s UCaaS partnership with Intermedia Cloud Communications.
Slack AI Is Now Available For All Paying Customers
Salesforce has announced that Slack AI is now available for all paying customers.
Previously only available to customers on Slack Enterprise plans and only in US and UK English, Salesforce stresses that businesses of all sizes can now leverage Slack AI, which utilises a business’s conversational data to support users in working faster and smarter.
Slack AI has also been updated with new features, including an upgraded AI-powered recap that produces morning digest summaries, personalised search answers, advanced conversation summaries and expanded language support.
In terms of upcoming features, Slack AI’s search and summarisation capabilities are expanding to include new data sources such as files, Slack apps, canvases, and clips. This broadens the scope of context accessible to Slack AI. For instance, it will boost the value of “huddles”, Slack’s feature for lightweight audio or video calls. Slack AI will provide summaries of key takeaways and action items, encouraging the transition from live discussions to actionable next steps.
Slack AI is now available as a paid add-on for all paid Slack plans. It is priced at $10 per user per month for Slack Pro and Business+ plans and is currently available in English, Spanish, and Japanese, with additional language support on the horizon.
8×8 Launches Operator Connect For Microsoft Teams
8×8 has launched Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams for reliable and streamlined enterprise telephony.
8×8 Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams is a dedicated solution integrating native Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) calling directly within Microsoft Teams via the Operator Connect program.
8×8 stresses that this offering introduces an Operator Connect option by leveraging 8×8’s renowned Global ReachTM network. It promises dependable calling services, streamlined deployment processes, and simplified management, all geared towards enhancing admin efficiency for Microsoft Teams Phone users.
Hunter Middleton, Chief Product Officer at 8×8, said:
As a technology provider, it’s important to know what our customers need from their software solutions, especially as organizations consolidate their tech stack to allow them to fully customize and streamline their workflows for business success. We have introduced 8×8 Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams to provide customers with 8×8’s reliable network by adding PSTN calling directly in Microsoft Teams to improve productivity and efficiency for organizations.”
The exclusive preview of 8×8 Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams is currently accessible through 8×8’s Early Access Program. This solution is set to debut with versatile calling options and will facilitate local presence in 20 key countries, spanning regions such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
