Watch the Recording Here: Start, and win, more cybersecurity opportunities: 1-to-1 with GTT CISO James Karimi - GTT Businesses need constant monitoring, mitigation and intervention on a 24/7 basis, not just when something is broken or threatened. Most end-user clients don’t have the resources to manage a complex cybersecurity position on their own and will look to a reputable partner for help. Cybersecurity is a high-value service that no enterprise can be without. An effective cybersecurity solution will help give clients an ever-strengthening cybersecurity posture, protecting their businesses and making them more loyal customers. Blaise Brady, GTT’s VP of Channel Development, and GTT CIO and CISO James Karimi discuss the positioning of the company’s cybersecurity solutions such as Secure Connect SASE, MDR and DDoS Mitigation, to help you win more cybersecurity business.

Watch the Recording Here:https://www.gtt.net/us-en/resources/events-webinars/bridging-gaps-between-network-cybersecurity-strategies/ With more data hosted in cloud deployments than ever before, many clients may struggle with the integration of legacy on-premises networking with leading security technologies to provide the protection their business needs. This webinar sets out how GTT Secure Connect provides the ideal SASE framework for the modern enterprise. Through a comprehensive package of networking and layered security solutions from industry-leading partners, together with world-class GTT managed services, your clients can feel safe and confident that they have next-generation connectivity and protection all in one place.

Broadband, cloud services, Dia, GTT, Ip Transit, Managed Services, mpls, SASE, SD-WAN, Tier 1, Voice, VPLS

At&t, Verizon, Wan, Wireless

Wireless Wide Area Wan, or WWAN, is a type of wireless network that provides widespread wireless coverage to mobile devices, allowing users to access the internet and other connected services wherever they have a wireless signal. With the increased speeds of cellular broadband and the reliability of 4G, and the growth of faster 5G networks, AireSpring’s Managed WWAN is ideal for connecting people and devices from anywhere. AireSpring’s Managed Wireless WAN is a fully managed service combining 4G and 5G wireless connectivity, reliable wireless equipment, and an advanced Single Pane of Glass management portal, all seamlessly integrated to provide a complete Wireless WAN solution for network failover and primary connectivity needs.  Our team of network and wireless experts will configure the appropriate wireless device, manage implementation, and provide 24/7 support with proactive monitoring, alerting, and remote troubleshooting.

DDOS, MDR, SASE, SD-WAN, Security

LIVE WEBINAR: APRIL 27th at 12:00 PM EDT REGISTER HERE: https://learn.gtt.net/2023_Q2_Americas_CPWebinarApril_11withJamesKarimi_RSVPLandingPage.html Don’t miss this interactive webinar session, exclusively for GTT channel partners. Blaise Brady, VP Channel Development, GTT, and James Karimi, CISO, GTT, will discuss the positioning of GTT cybersecurity solutions Secure Connect SASE, MDR and DDoS mitigation, to help you start and win more cybersecurity business. Save your seat and get your questions ready!

GTT, Managed SD-WAN

EtherVision, GTT, Portal

EtherVision is GTT's client facing portal for managing your services and your account. Watch the video and discover how EtherVision enhances every facet of your GTT service experience. For more information about GTT Communications, visit gtt.net. Watch the brief demo here: https://vimeo.com/811289515

GTT, Internet

REPLAY LINK: https://www.gtt.net/us-en/the-...In a world where enterprises are ever more reliant on cloud-based applications to deliver their business-critical needs, reliable internet service is vital to success. GTT high-performance internet services provide the speed and reliability your business needs. We own and operate AS3257, one of the top ranked Tier 1 IP networks in the world – providing the scalability and reach you can rely on to remain globally connected and putting you a step ahead of the competition and help drive more revenue for your clients. In this webinar from GTT, presenter Rich Vidil, VP Solution Architecture, Americas at GTT will explain why being able to connect directly to anyone and everyone on the global internet means faster, more reliable transfer of data with little to no lag or jitter. Ken Bisnoff, SVP and Channel Chief will go on discuss with Rich, why that is a better, more reliable experience for your client and an important way to set yourself apart from the competition.

DDOS, Security

Webinar Replay As a service provider, we have different DDoS protection service options to ensure we can build a solution that is perfect for your client. This flexibility helps you win business and drive new revenue. In this webinar GTT and Corero discuss how to align the right DDoS protection solution with your clients’ business drivers to ensure a perfect fit for their business. Panelists: Erik Nordquist, Director, Global Managed Security Products, GTT Erik Britt-Webb VP, Strategic Alliances & Channels at Corero.

GTT is committed to operational, financial and service excellence. A customer-first philosophy and profit-based operational strategy mean great things for our Channel partners. Channel partner leadership and the president of the Americas region explains what Making Exceptional Possible means for our channel partners. Core solutions like SD-WAN, Managed Services, End-to-end networking and cybersecurity mean larger deals for longer terms.  Don’t miss what’s new at GTT in 2023.

pots, Pots Replacement

pots, Pots Replacement

Connectivy, GTT, Managed Services

GTT, Hybrid WAN, Managed Security, Managed Services, Professional Services, sip trunking

CASB, Convergence, FWaaS, SASE, SD-WAN, Security, SWG, ZTNA

GTT, Professional Services, Sdwan

MDR, Security

Watch the recording here.The dramatic rise of cyberattacks and increased sophistication of the threats have led to compromise or breach to 93% of companies. The cost of keeping up with the evolving threat landscape is increasing, too. Cyberteams are stretched to the limit, many are understaffed, or trained workers with the skills needed are simply in short supply or not available at all to the organizations that need them. Discover MDR- services and processes to address this chronic and dangerous situation with a combination of high technology tools, 24/7 service and proven processes that will help protect your company without increasing the cost of acquiring staff.

GTT

DDOS, DDoS Mitigation, DDoS Protection

Breadth Of Services, Why Lumen, Why Provider

Dia, Internet Services

voip, Zoom

E-LAN, E-Line, ethernet

Client Portal, Demo, Video

GTT’s EtherVision client portal provides many features and functions for the management of GTT services, including:• Real-time monitoring and alerts • Dashboard for overall service health • Location performance management • Support ticket management • New service quote and order management • Open order management • Service inventory management • Billing and invoice management

SD-WAN

How to Realize the Full Potential of SD-WAN is filled with interesting and actionable information that you can use. Key insights and takeaways from this webinar include: analysis of the various drivers for adopting SD-WAN, understanding the key challenges when deploying complex networking and security solutions and the criticality of integrated security. Watch the replay here.

Cloud Desktop, Daas, Desktop As A Service, Remote Desktop, VDI, Virtual Desktop

Compare virtual desktop providers using the 2022 Desktop as a Service (DaaS) Competitor Matrix and see why Evolve IP is the work-anywhere, virtual desktop solution your team needs to grow. Real-time audio and video24x7x365 US-based support from MS Gold-Certified Experts Universal user experiences anywhere, at any time, on any device99.999% uptimeVMware’s #1 multi-tenant DaaS provider in the USNoted in every Gartner DaaS Market Guide since inception

Cloud Communication, pots, Pots Replacement, Specialty Lines

cloud communications, pots, Pots Replacement, Specialty, Specialty Lines

SASE

SASE

Masergy, SASE

CASB, Masergy, SD-WAN

business voice, cloud, communications, Ucaas, Unified Communications, Voice

Last week I wrote about why voice seems to be making a “comeback” from a business perspective. And I wrote about people seeing the value of voice, of making phone calls since that is the lifeblood of a business. Making video calls to make appointments just isn’t needed right now. And we’ll probably keep writing these kinds of articles about voice for years and years, even though voice is kind of boring and gets passed over for more exciting technologies. But voice had its day as a “thing.” Some of you may remember 20 years ago; all the hype was about VoIP – different codecs, MOS scores, and all that. And VoIP has certainly changed telephony forever. And VoIP is now every day. But voice is still evolving. We all now understand how to use voice commands talking to a device – speech recognition is “normal” now. I’ve also written about AI and its impact on the contact center. These types of new functionality will soon find their way into the UC systems that run businesses and enhance the business’s voice experience. However, as intimated in this blog, voice is not the only way to communicate with a business. Video is a way, as is email, chat, social media, etc. In the context of business, what voice has evolved to is that it is one of the ways to conduct business, but not the only one. All the different real-time communication modes need to interoperate with each other. For the UC system running the “voice” part of the business, the UC clients need to ensure they can seamlessly switch to chat, collaboration, and video as part of the experience. And a system that can be used both internally for inter-employee communication and externally to talk to customers. Customers want to make an appointment or order something or whatever. Calling is efficient, so they call or use a self-service portal and perhaps text. And that’s why a company with a sole focus on video meetings or video calling, or just voice meetings or voice calling, won’t be able to service a small and medium business. A Unified Communication system that knows how to handle phone numbers, texting, and all kinds of call control, as is found in a “PBX,” is required. A Unified Communication platform, able to true multi-modal communications, such as Switchvox, PBXact, or Business Voice, will be required.

cloud, communications, Sangoma Meet, Team Collaboration, Ucaas, Video Conferencing, Video Meetings, Virtual Backgrounds

With remote work now a part of the norm, workers can meet from virtually anywhere. A feature-rich, reliable and secure video conferencing platform is a new necessity for businesses to continue collaborating with ease. But as with all new developments, some unanticipated results can materialize. For video meetings, this includes what’s in the background of your location.  Related: The Era Of Hybrid Work To help with this, Sangoma Meet now offers virtual backgrounds! Here are just a few of the ways virtual backgrounds can enhance your meetings experience: Working from home? Whether you’re on the couch, at the kitchen table, or in your home office, with a virtual background you can present a formal office environment, conceal your background with a blur option, or just switch up your setting for fun!On the go? Pretend you’re at the beach, in the mountains, or still working from the office with a variety of options from the Sangoma Meet background library.Want to personalize your background? We have an option to upload your own custom background image!Just want to have a little fun? We have plenty of backgrounds for that too! You can get started using virtual backgrounds today and elevate your Sangoma Meet experience! Reach out to your Sangoma representative today and request a video chat to learn how!  

cloud, communications, Ucaas, Unified Communications, Voice

I’ve seen a few recent articles, and actually have had a few conversations lately about “voice”, basically about how voice remains important for your business, or how voice is making a comeback in business. Since we’ve all been on so many video calls the past two years, much ink has been used writing about video in the workplace. And rightly so given the huge impact video has been to the knowledge worker, and will continue to be, going forward. I mean video calls, and sharing screens, and collaborating remotely is here to stay. But anyway, recently, not so much ink dedicated to voice. Because it’s there, it’s boring, it works, we all know about it, etc. I’ve always advocated about the importance of voice for your business. Customers and prospects call you. You give out phone numbers on business cards. You put phone numbers on your website for people to contact your business. It is still the preferred communication mechanism for customers when they need real time interaction. Since many of us are very focused in a typical workday either internally or with close partners and contacts, many people seem to think the world revolves around video. And for internal type meetings, it sure does now. For instance all of our internal meetings are conducted on Sangoma Meet now. And I’m sure Sangoma is no different from other companies in that regard. However, with our customer base, phone calls are still important. And if you are operating a small business, your telephone number if your lifeblood. So what’s with these new articles about “voice”? Part of it is what I explained above – just the reality of running a business needs phone numbers and voice, and can’t be done solely on video meeting platforms. And analysts and journalists are seeing this, so they’re writing about it. Next week I will write more about where voice is going in the business.

Channel News, cloud, M&A, Mergers And Acquisitions, Sangoma, Star2star, Ucaas, Unified Communications

About a year ago, Sangoma announced its intention to purchase Star2Star. And even though we were one of the first M&A’s in 2021, we were recognized by Channel Futures for the top merger and acquisition of 2021. Channel Futures serves the information and communication technology (ICT) industry channel and is part of the global Informa Tech business with over 1,000 subject matter experts and colleagues, including Omdia research. Channel Futures ranked the top 24 mergers and acquisitions of 2021 in the channel, placing Sangoma first. Sangoma’s acquisition stands out amongst the other M&A transactions as particularly strategic for the channel, because it now enables Sangoma’s channel partners to meet the needs of all customers, from SMB to enterprise, with the most comprehensive suite of cloud services available in the industry. Sangoma’s channel partners are then able to bring this full solution, all integrated together from a single cloud supplier, to their customers. Sangoma’s cloud suite includes Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS), Trunking as a Service (TaaS), Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS), Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS), Video Meetings as a Service (VMaaS), Collaboration as a Service, Desktop as a Service (DaaS), and Access Control as a Service (ACaaS).

cloud, On-prem, On-premises, Premise Uc, Ucaas, Unified Communications

One year ago, I wrote a blog about Panasonic exiting the PBX business. As I wrote at the time, this was more about the PBX business changing into Unified Communications than it was about a decline in on-premise systems. And even though we see all kinds of press about the growth in UCaaS, which by the way is justified, we hardly ever see anything about on-premise systems. The presumption being that they are declining so why even write about a topic that no one really cares about. But are on-premise Unified Communication systems really declining? The benefits of Unified Communications, which include business communication systems that support not only voice, but also video, collaboration, file sharing and messaging, and includes support for office phone numbers to your laptop and your smart phone in addition to your deskphone, are not just limited to cloud-based UC systems. All these features can also be delivered via premise platforms. And with this in mind, lo and behold, we do find an article about “premise PBX is the largest selling UC platform in 2021”. This comes as no surprises to Sangoma, given we sell both on-premise and cloud-based UC. And as the article outlines, we understand the reasons why customers continue to buy on premise: excellent reseller/dealer support, security, and total cost of ownership. Of course, there are also excellent reasons to go cloud. Either way, Sangoma can provide your business with the best UC system for your business. Our UC systems include advanced collaboration and productivity-enhancing features for every user and can be deployed on-premise or through the cloud, allowing businesses to select the best option for their needs.

cloud, communications, Connected Workspace, Remote Work, Ucaas, Unified Communications

As we head into a new year, many of us reflect on the year before to see what we’ve learned and how we might apply those lessons to the year ahead. In terms of remote work adoption, one of the most salient lessons is that preparation and the right tools are essential for a smooth transition to the future of work. In this article, we explore some of the common challenges and how we can overcome them in the year ahead. Related: Evolution of Email & Best Practices for Embracing Team Collaboration Software As we’ve all seen, remote work adoption is not without challenges. Issues related to lack of interpersonal connection and connectivity can stall even the best-laid telework plans. Potential complications include challenges to fostering effective communications, promoting collaboration, and monitoring productivity. Issue: Effective Communications For Remote Work Adoption Remote workers can experience disconnect from their long-distance peers, with logistical issues further complicating those matters. Common complaints include difficulty pulling together meetings, collaborating, conveying policy and viewing, drafting, and editing documents. Related: Sangoma Delivers Enhanced Experience To Partners & Customers Of course, effective communication and proper tech deployment are key. Other recommendations include promoting timely and transparent dialogue, establishing dedicated work-time schedules for staff and blocking certain periods each day for availability. It is also important to remember that, while ineffective communications can trouble any organization, that disparity is only magnified in a remote-work setting. UCaaS UCaaS represents a “fundamental shift in business communications” by expanding on traditional voice services. This consolidated cloud system supports videoconferences, faxes and messages. Plus, its accessibility from any internet-equipped location takes pressure off of the end-user adopter. Related: Does BYOD Impact UCaaS Clients? UCaaS includes features to bolster engagement, productivity and business continuity while requiring less physical hardware. With less equipment, it should be noted that the chances of end-user error in the remote work adoption process also go significantly down. Connected Workspace A Connected Workspace is a DaaS (Desktop as a Service) product with cloud-based workspaces to support remote storage, application use and other remote work needs. Connected Workspaces reinforce remote communications, promote employee engagement, extend productivity and reduce cost. Issue: Productivity Monitoring Without proper planning, companies with remote workers may struggle to manage productivity on a day-to-day basis. Given geographic, technological and logistical issues, proper telework policy requires both trust and understanding for the staffer; lack of productivity will always be exposed. Collaboration software includes administrative functions for tracking productivity and providing disclosure regarding day-to-day activities as well as regular reporting. Issue: Cybersecurity Unfortunately, cybersecurity is a more pressing workplace concern than ever, with instances of ransomware attacks alone up 151 percent Y2Y for 1H 2021. This worry is further amplified by the swell of at-home work policy that prevents the employer from seeing staff behavior and risk. Conveying security "best practices” and requesting information non-disclosure helps, but does not address ill-advised or malicious decisions. Other cybersecurity recommendations for remote work adoption include: Requiring VPN accessRestricting visibility and flexibility regarding certain docsPromoting awareness of smart password practices Issue: End-User Remote Work Adoption Digital remote work adoption can be problematic in a physical workplace; issues become compounded when the remote worker must provide his or her own tech support. Insufficient communication practices tend to lead to common deployment issues such as: Inadequate digital training, amplified by a lack of hands-on assistance for those in needReluctance to try new technology, paired with sloppy or outdated IT habitsIll-equipped digital remote work adoption policy or strategy Sadly, there is no definitive way to guarantee 100 percent telework productivity. Sure, many of the issues preventing effective remote work can be fixed with some attention. Ultimately, however, organizations need to be flexible and willing to invest in cloud software in addition to staff digital literacy training and “best practices.” Potential barriers to remote work adoption can usually be scaled if the company is willing to take that leap.

BEST PRACTICES, cloud, communications, Email, Team Collaboration, Ucaas, Unified Communications

With remote work on the continual rise, organizational reliance on team collaboration software is always growing. Team-based sharing, instant messaging and other forms of communication seemingly eclipse traditional email by the day, necessitating a comprehensive, all-inclusive application to close the miles between remote-work staff. Related: Does BYOD Impact UCaaS Clients? Traditionally, this software set supports VoIP telephony, video conferencing, cloud workspaces, channel management, real-time messaging and file management to improve communication, drive productivity and promote efficiency. According to Quantum Workplace, the business’ first and best move in eschewing traditional email in favor of more inclusive remote tools is to embrace new approaches that promote employee and organizational adoption. Best Practice: Improving Clarity in Communications Probably the most important aim is to foster an environment of complete communication and transparency. In this respect, team-based software offers several critical features that promote real-time interactions. Related: Common Trends In The Shift To Flexible Offices The employer and teleworker alike need to be able to communicate with one another on an as-needed basis. Despite a small learning curve in app adoption, users need to be able to express themselves in a face-to-face, direct manner, the same as would be in a physical office space. Official corporate policy should include: Clearer expectationsObjective fulfillmentDefined boundaries and channels for communicating concernsWritten correspondence to reinforce verbal communicationsTech accessibility, including Team meeting, videoconference, project management and document management software Best Practice: Fostering Open-Mindedness At the same time, it is advisable to create an official policy for issuing and collecting feedback over the various mediums of collaboration software. This can assist with supporting employee satisfaction, resolving conflict, fostering employer-employee trust and establishing camaraderie. Most importantly, it allows for active dialogue that outlines work-related expectations - on both the employer’s and employee’s part - to drive performance, improve understanding and meet expectations. For this reason, administrators should set regular, scheduled periods for inviting the suggestions of their remote-work staff. Best Practice: Establishing Common Availability Periods With physically dispersed talent, it is incumbent on the organization to promote times of common availability for meetings, collaboration or a quick chat. This consideration is especially important for businesses whose staff are spread out across multiple time zones. Best Practice: Defining Home and Work-Life Separation Crucial for remote worker success in a team-based collaboration environment is the establishment of a firm, hard balance between home and work life. Related: UCaaS & Its Benefits For The Modern Team Collaboration Tool With instances of remote work experiencing significant growth in the pandemic era, remote workers find themselves at a much significantly higher rate of potential burnout. In particular, the National Bureau of Economic Research recently indicated that teleworkers tend to extend their work hours by an average of as much as 48.5 minutes per day. With this statistic as a backdrop, it should be considered critical to begin and end the day exactly as if one is part of a physical office culture, factoring in considerations such as setting regular work hours, restricting off-time availability, scheduling breaks and working in a dedicated area of the home. Related: Top 6 Reasons Your Business Needs Connected Workspace With some transparency regarding employee availability, organizations and their remote workers alike can maximize the use of collaboration software in order to: Promote more effective time usage, collaboration and workManage individuals, channels or groupsExchange and collaborate on documents, files and other contentOversee virtually all aspects of collaboration, communication and task completionPromote engagement and satisfactionImprove CRMCut costsBolster hiring potential while reducing worker turnover

cloud, communications, Open Source, Ucaas, Unified Communications

I haven’t written about Open Source communications in a while. I’ve been meaning to, and now it’s near the end of the year, and since I’m on a plane right now (and people who know me know I write a lot on airplanes), I’m in the frame of mind to do it. For people who follow Sangoma, you know that we’ve had a lot going on in 2021. We bought Star2Star and have been working diligently to integrate them. It’s going great, and for those of you who follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn, you probably noticed we recently completed a great Sales Kick-Off event with a fully integrated sales team.  Through all this, though, our Open Source commitment has not wavered. Our focus is still there, and you know that if you regularly go to Asterisk.org or FreePBX.org. In early November, we held another Virtual AstriCon. We had almost 1,000 attendees, which was similar to last year’s virtual conference. We intend to do it in person next time (just like we intended this time), and we’ll have more to say about that in the April timeframe. And right before AstriCon, we released FreePBX16 and Asterisk 19, both of which happened with Sangoma engineering working with numerous individuals in the community. We know we have a lot of people in the community counting on these new releases, as we still have the same number of downloads of FreePBX and Asterisk (both in the millions) this year as the past few years. And both of these products continue to have robust roadmaps for the coming year. We are also getting more interest in our PBXact Cloud offer from both our FreePBX prem and PBXact prem existing customers. This is not unexpected, given PBXact is a Sangoma product based on the solid foundation provided by FreePBX and Asterisk and follows the entire industry trend of moving UC to the cloud. Check it out if you have an interest.

Bring Your Own Device, byod, cloud, Ucaas, Unified Communications

As UCaaS users take advantage of smartphone clients more and more, sometimes we get questions from prospects about whether the types of smartphones their employees use will impact any UC functionality or performance. Essentially, the question comes down to whether we as a vendor enable and support BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) or recommend a specific type of smartphone? By now, most businesses support BYOD, at least for smartphones. Employees have them, and they might as well use them. It costs the company less because they don’t have to lay out any money to buy them, and if there are issues, the employee has to deal with them (on their own time). So, from an employer perspective, it makes sense. And frankly, many employees don’t want to carry around two mobile devices anyway. However, the question we get is inherently less secure for the business, so that needs to be thought about as well. The question we really get is about Android devices vs. iOS devices. And there are definitely differences. And within Android, there are even definitely differences. So, it’s an excellent question, actually, and you should ask your UCaaS vendor about it. The UCaaS vendor should take care of ensuring their desktop and mobile clients work, period. And you should ask and see what the answer is. If it’s a bit wobbly, then that tells you something. The only caveats should be about older devices (i.e., we support back to version xyz).

Ccaas, cloud, communications, Contact Center, Ucaas, Unified Communications

Given Unified Communications form the essential fabric of the modern business communication system, we’re starting to see contact centers merging more and more with Unified Communications. In fact, we’re seeing UC systems embracing contact center technology. Sangoma is no exception, and we’ve had more customers using our contact center and contact center features that are part of our UC systems. That’s great! In practice, it also means that we’re seeing customers and admins that maybe were not using advanced contact centers before being exposed to them now. We’re getting some questions about if I’m managing a contact center or are a supervisor, what features are really important in a contact center solution? Let me review a few. First, as a supervisor, you want to see real-time monitoring of what’s going on – how the agents are performing, is there a long call going on, what is the average wait time, what is the average call time, are the call center SLAs being met, how many agents are on breaks and for how long, etc. And if there is that long call going on, can you listen to see what the problem is, or can you whisper to the agent to help them somehow? You also want to create different queues, assign/de-assign agents to the proper queues, and see how the other queues are performing. You might need to do some balancing. Reports are also going to be important so you can improve performance and efficiency. After all, there will be a lot of data generated, so what are you going to do with it? You need to understand what data is important for your situation and make sure the reports generated can be flexible, working for you. Sangoma provides contact center technology that is integrated well with our underlying UC systems.

Ai, Artificial Intelligence, cloud, communications, Evolved Office, Ucaas, Unified Communications

As artificial intelligence enters the contact center, the business communication system can start making decisions based on context, past similar decision history, etc. One of the earliest examples of this is keyword spotting and change of tone of the speaker, for something called “sentiment analysis”. Essentially, the computer could determine if you were upset when talking to an agent so you could be handed off to a more experienced person. Given enough data from thousands and thousands of past calls the computer could decide when you’re upset, or about to be upset. And from this something called a chatbot has emerged. The chatbot will engage you more, and take you further down the discussion as time goes on. Chances are you have talked to a chatbot and didn’t even know it. Like most contact center innovations, chatbots have been driven by the oxymoronic need to both reduce costs and provide better service. And as speech recognition and text to speech programs and computing power have both improved and come down in cost, the advent of computer driven speech into the contact center occurred. In fact, right now, both Google’s and Microsoft’s speech recognition claim to be 95% accurate, which happens to be as accurate as a human brain. Over time, the simple ‘talk to me’ instead of hitting buttons to drive through an IVR menu gave way to more and more computer driven tasks. And it was OK because you as the IVR caller were getting through the menu and you didn’t have to wait. But you always knew it was a computer because it sounded that way (probably on purpose). However, these more simplistic chats have evolved greatly and today, it’s very possible you are having a conversation with a computer and you don’t even know it. And you’re probably happier talking to this computer, because it might sound like a native language speaker and because the “agent” isn’t making any mistakes. Right now, you likely get handed off to a real person when more complex decisions need to be made but over time, the chatbot will take on more and more responsibility. Again, with artificial intelligence, the possibilities are endless. The system could predict who you might call based on past history, and how they might want to get connected, who might need to be on a conference call, and the system could ID you based on voice recognition.

cloud, communications, Custom Development, Custom Integration, Integration, Packaged Applications, Ucaas, Unified Communications

One of the core benefits of a Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) system is its end-user adaptability. These platforms provide full access to on-demand communications and collaboration services, among them videoconferencing, chats, productivity apps and connectivity options, all via a consolidated cloud service.  Related: CPaaS is a Path to Applications as a Service (AppaaS) While any UCaaS system offers high levels of customizability, platforms that can support popular packaged applications provide an even deeper level of personalization and performance enhancement. Packaged applications are created based on the most common organizational workflow needs, and can be easily tweaked and applied to one’s own unique environment. Plus, implementing them requires no extensive technical understanding or ability! Related: IoT Connectivity In An Office Environment What Do UCaaS Packaged Applications Do? Typically, packaged apps offer software with scripts for supporting objects such as databases, images and seed data, as well as pre-installation validations, to offer “ready-to-go” options for extending communications system capabilities with minimal programming. These straightforward enterprise communication and collaboration solutions help customers maximize these areas to improve output. But even this level of detail isn’t required to implement packaged applications when they are provided and supported by your communications solution. Your vendor will have the technical expertise to configure your application for you, so all you need to do is benefit from your enhanced workflows. Related: The Era of Hybrid Work: Common Trends In The Shift To Flexible Offices Now let’s take a look at some of the most common packaged applications businesses need today. Urgent Notification The Urgent Notification packaged app is designed to improve communications by providing options for mass updates on “urgent” matters. Urgent Notifications can be used to issue warnings on weather conditions, system outages, crises and cancelled events, among other emergencies. Plus, the interface allows one to choose from individual contacts or contact lists, potentially covering employees, customers and other important persons by sending blasts via call, text or email. The implications for this are enormous. Users can keep subscribers informed on the latest threats and urgent alerts - including security threats, advisories and first emergency response details - in near-real-time. Mass Notification In a manner similar to Urgent Notification, the Mass Notification packaged application simultaneously sends text and email messages, en masse, to all of one’s contacts or groups. Additionally, the function can track critical responses and handle information flow. The multi-modal notification system specializes in two-way interactions, supporting secondary actions and history reports. Potential applications include closure and delay notices, marketing messages, invoice reminders, event updates, subscription renewals, employee collaboration, and fleet / transportation management. Employee Alerts Another subset of Mass Notification is Employee Alerts. This packaged app allows an administrator to reach out to employees via text or email, with support for dividing users by department or group. Plus, the software supports tracking for message receipt and elements to promote engagement. The app is also particularly useful in distributing memos, closure and delay information, schedules, health updates and human resources and other notices. CRM Integration The CRM Integration packaged application offers features to integrate specific CRM package options within your communications platform. By activating the software, one gains access to common features such as click-to-call, inbound “screen pops” and call-detail tracking, in turn reducing need for manual data entry while reinforcing visibility and managing calls and contacts. Whatever CRM you currently use, you can maximize its effectiveness when you integrate it with your UCaaS via this packaged app. Single Curbside Service The Single Curbside Service packaged app offers a frequently requested service for managing customer-employee interactions and providing “curbside messaging workflows.” The software is specifically designed to support restaurants, specialty and retail environments and other offices, providing support for “streamlined, convenient and safe customer service.” Organizations can maintain operational efficiency by accessing SMS text and web communications in order to support critical areas such as order fulfillment and pickup. Plus, key features include no requirements for customization, automated workflow, team management and tracking and reporting, among other elements.

Appaas, Applications As A Service, cloud, communications, Communications Platform As A Service, CPaaS, Ucaas, Unified Communications

CPaaS (Communications Platform-as-a-Service) is an excellent thing if your organization is a software developer or has developer types in your organization. But in a general sense, if you are a reseller or an end-user of Unified Communications, you likely don’t have these kinds of resources available to you. Or, if you do, and you don’t quite really want to get involved in API programming, you may not even try this route. But still, the benefits of CPaaS in the past 18 months are probably visible to you – it’s entirely likely your curbside pickup, your “we’ll text you before you can come inside,” and a message about delivery just happened were delivered via a CPaaS application done by said developer types. And you might have other great ideas on how to continue this kind of new communication, either to enhance the customer experience or enhance your business. As such, we’re seeing our customers asking us more and more for more complete “add-on” applications that can enhance their vertical experience. And so that’s what we’re going to do with our CPaaS technology. We will use it ourselves to deliver applications to augment our UC offerings and supplement our partner’s vertical solutions. We’ve already done this with urgent notification, mass notification, curbside pickup, and employee alert applications. Please visit our webpage to learn more.

cloud, communications, Internet Of Things, Iot, Ucaas, Unified Communications

IoT connectivity, as it relates to enterprise communications, is really about the convergence of Unified Communications and IoT. You might think that UC and IoT do not have anything to do with each other, but there is natural overlap. With a UC admin dashboard, there are alerts and monitors. And with IoT, there is data to trigger alerts and monitors. It’s a marriage made in heaven, like peanut butter and chocolate.With a UC system, there are mobile end points such as phones, tablets, and smart watches. But there could be other end points connected to a UC system, such as cameras. Or a doorbell with video that can also talk – like a Ring doorbell. So, think about all these kinds of sensors, communication devices, things connected to a UC system. Some of these obviously can be connected with either 5G or Wi-Fi. But some can be connected with LPWA as well. The enterprise business communication hub of the future will be able to handle all required signaling types.Any of these things that are particularly important to be tied to a UC/PBX system when there is RTC (real time communications) required as determined by the sensor / edge computing calculations can be set up to enable alerts in the form of a real time voice and/or video call to appropriate person.For instance, a sensor on the factory floor can make a VoIP telephone call based on predefined criteria that can automatically trigger specific workflows, such as the reordering of components, either because they’re running low or because of defects on a recent batch of products, for example. Or IoT devices that are in the office that are connected to the PBX (temp sensors, alarms, etc.) can accept voice commands over the phone. Or one can view a video feed of an IoT imaging devices by dialing its telephony number (SIP endpoint or mobile).There possibilities are enormous. But these RTC examples need to be tied to a UC business communication system to make this particular convergence of IoT and UC happen.

cloud, communications, Flex Work, Flexible Office, Hybrid Work, Ucaas, WFH, Work From Home

The world as we know it seemingly changes by the day. Today’s businesses - whether due to regulations, logistics, convenience or some combination of the three - are increasingly adopting hybrid work policies for their employees. Related: The Evolved Office & Mobility According to recent data published by FindStack, today’s remote workforce has grown by 44 percent, worldwide, over the last five years, with 16 percent of companies running “100 percent remote” and nearly 60 percent of U.S. employees teleworking each day. Related: Top UCaaS Trends For Year’s End & Beyond Earlier in 2021, Forbes Magazine highlighted some of the top trends observed among enterprises shifting to remote staff. While this changeover reflects both positive and negative developments over time, it should be noted that companies continue to adapt to fluctuations with new approaches and developments as the global business landscape evolves around them. Increased Reliance on Hybrid Work Models The natural inclination of many organizations is to stagger in-office reporting with remote work, a concept that has become known as the hybrid work model. By dividing days between various physical locations, the concept is that workers can benefit from commute relief while still gaining the added benefit of office socialization, work-task clarity, and security. At the same time, many companies limit telework to hybrid options to increase their assurance that employees are where they say and completing the assignments upon which they agreed. Related: Your End-to-End UCaaS Guide It should also be noted that remote and hybrid work policy also has a drastic effect on overhead cost, with less need for expansive locations and fewer expenses, equipment investment and - in some cases - HR personnel. Cloud Services Adoption With remote work, far and away the most relied-upon software for communication, collaboration, file management and organization is the cloud. “As-a-service” options include Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS), Desktop as a Service (DaaS), Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) and Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS), with more to come! Related: UCaaS & Its Benefits For The Modern Team Collaboration Tool Organizations tend to prefer these types of software because of the benefits that they offer in terms of capacity (no infrastructure investment), simplicity (fully supported and automatically updated) and functionality (connecting remotely dispersed workers and providing access to secure files). Altered Cybersecurity Perspective The basic concepts behind some cybersecurity tenets - for example, sound password management and employee “best practices” - have changed little over the years. Despite this fact, many of today’s enterprises grow increasingly concerned with remote employees’ activity. Are they diligently changing and protecting their passwords? Are they aware of the historic rise in malware, ransomware, and other cyberattacks? Related: Save Money, Cut Your IT Costs & Reduce Complexity With DaaS Compounding this issue is the expanded attack surface. With staff more geographically dispersed than ever, the organization’s network - and critical files - become more vulnerable each time a connection is made at each point of entry. Related: Future Of The Deskphone For Knowledge Workers Gone are the days when a business needed only to worry about securing the single-location network. As A10 Networks noted in a recent report, the corporate network “will only be as secure as the home networks they are on.” Consequently, much of today’s remote-work cybersecurity tends to fall on the service provider. Increasingly Asynchronous & Flexible With a shift to remote employment, today’s staffer finds it increasingly difficult to strike a home / work life balance. For example, recent estimates by Kentik noted that 51 percent of employees struggle with juggling day-to-day activity and establishing definitive close-of-business hours where the computer gets turned off for the evening. Related: Top 6 Reasons Your Business Needs Connected Workspace In response to this issue, many businesses are turning to asynchronous platforms for collaboration. Whereas earlier in the pandemic, organizations frequently embraced massive videoconferences to replace face-to-face interactions, one shift that was observed in 2021 is that allowing employees to respond in their own time has been more effective and productive, especially for jobs that require much time on the phone or at a computer. As Forbes noted, asynchronous communication is particularly useful for companies that are spread across “multiple time zones” in that it allows staff to “better control their workflow.”  How Do You Hybrid? Has your company shifted to a hybrid workforce? If your current technology infrastructure is holding you back or you’re curious about how you can improve performance, enhance collaboration, and grow your business with solutions built for flexible work, learn more about Connected Workspace and our other business cloud solutions! Learn More

cloud, Evolved Office, Mobility, Ucaas, Unified Communications

Unified Communications (UC) has ushered in the second state of the Evolved Office, where mobility and collaboration take center stage. The mobile client enables more than just access, it enables real-time interaction via presence and messaging, and enhanced collaboration with other network users. This enabling of your “office phone number” on the smartphone, connected laptop, or tablet has been a key driver for the continued growth of UC. It truly enables your office to be borderless. Unified Communications is a natural evolution of the PBX as it combines voice/telephony, unified messaging, mobility, presence, desktop sharing, and conferencing/collaboration into a single integrated application. It also supports several modes of communication, including voice, chat, email, fax, and texting (SMS/MMS). It enables a user to switch between these modalities of communication as needed to enhance the exchange of information and ideas. All employees can benefit from UC, whether they are in the office, away-from-desk employees, on the road, or working from home. All the tools that are available to office workers, such as video conferencing, presence management, screen sharing, chat, etc. are available from the desktop, laptop, or mobile device. In addition to significantly enhancing team collaboration and productivity, UC can also improve engagement with customers, vendors, and sales prospects because it enables faster answers in a variety of ways.

cloud, communications, Cybersecurity, Digital Transformation, Trends, Ucaas

Today’s Unified Communications as a Service offerings represent a “fundamental shift in business communications.” This form of pay-per-use service embraces cutting-edge technology to go beyond traditional voice services, incorporating aspects such as video conferencing, faxing, and messaging. These elements come via a consolidated cloud system that is available from virtually any location or for any internet-connected device. Related: Your End-to-End UCaaS Guide Of course, UCaaS tech has been around for years, and its implications on the teleworker are well documented. With an overall market presence of $47.64 billion (2021) that is expected to balloon to $210.07 billion within seven years, UCaaS has streamlined remote communications at a time when more users than ever are working and collaborating across many miles! What, then, are the top trends in UCaaS as we head to the latter part of the year? Need for Improved Cybersecurity Awareness Per estimates, 82 percent of IT teams faced some form of cyberattack since the onset of COVID-19 in 2020. These strikes include instances of dangerous phishing and ransomware hits, in many cases due to the unmonitored or ill-informed remote worker using UCaaS tools. Related: UCaaS & Its Benefits For The Modern Team Collaboration Tool As employees make their return to a physical office in late 2021 and beyond, some execs believe there is cause for concern. Of note, 56 percent of IT leaders feel staff has learned “bad cybersecurity behaviors”, 54 percent fear inadvertent malware infection, and 69 percent see ransomware as a “greater concern” in a hybrid work environment. Recommendations include: Maintaining infrastructure updates and patchesEncouraging consults with IT security personnel, also involving them in company decisionsFostering a positive, productive work cultureDrafting policy reflective of the organization’s vulnerabilitiesEstablishing “Zero-Trust” architecture with restricted access and changing credentialsPromoting resources and training to reinforce employee cyber intelligence Need For Innovative Digital Transformation In recent years, UCaaS has proven its ability to adapt to changing collaboration and communications demands. Unfortunately, today’s remote staffer is far less flexible. Reluctance to adopt new technology, support cybersecurity practices and change bad habits can plague today’s enterprise and prevent growth. For example, Loopup recently reported that 61 percent of individuals prefer a traditional, dialup conference call to video conferencing. Related: Save Money, Cut Your IT Costs & Reduce Complexity With DaaS In the midst of so many changes, choosing the right technology setup is more crucial than ever to ensure successful adoption, productivity, and security. Businesses need to reevaluate the tools they are currently using, identify areas of difficulty and app overload, and consider new solutions designed to simplify today’s workforce needs. A system that can balance ease of use and flexibility with built-in security is quickly becoming the most popular solution for many companies in need of a technology upgrade. Increasing Need for Remote Solutions With more employees in telework than ever - and some estimates pointing to an 87 percent increase over pre-COVID numbers - growing reliance on UCaaS packages should likewise grow. With this growth in demand, however, users are reminded again to keep their software updated to ease the impact of remote worker error. Solutions such as mobile softphones, Desktop-as-a-Service, and connected workspaces are helping an increasingly remote workforce to adapt. Other UCaaS Trends In addition to the aforementioned factors, additional UCaaS market drivers could include: Consolidation, with top companies such as Zoom, Google and Microsoft Teams leading competitive offersAI (artificial intelligence) integration as developments warrantIncreasing reliance on interoperabilityReductions in guest-account sprawlDevelopments in presence technology Of course, many new UCaaS shifts should emerge this year and beyond. Business success will likely be most impacted by one’s ability to properly plan, adjust, promote tech comprehension and follow all prescribed software updates.

Analyst, cloud, communications, Gartner, Magic Quadrant, Ucaas

Last week you may have noticed that Sangoma was positioned by Gartner, Inc. in the 2021 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Unified Communications as a Service, Worldwide.  Sangoma is one of only fourteen other companies to be evaluated and placed in 2021, and one of six companies to appear consecutively for the last seven years. Factors considered in the evaluation process included Sangoma’s value-based pricing, complete UCaaS suite, expansion of Sangoma’s reachable market, and CPaaS created applications that augment partners’ vertical offerings and customer experiences. “We are thrilled to be recognized in this year’s Gartner Magic Quadrant,” said Bill Wignall, CEO of Sangoma. “Sangoma has grown rapidly for many years in the industry and is now among the top tier of cloud communications companies, so it’s very gratifying to be recognized in this manner. Our clients appreciate the industry’s most complete set of cloud communications services, cloud-based and on-premise deployment options, and exceptional customer service, so we believe this award will be reassuring to our customers and prospects alike.” To read the full report, fill out the form on this page.

5G, Borderless Network, cloud, communications, Evolved Office, Ucaas

As we’ve seen over the nearly two years now, the office has evolved, and not just in a physical way. The way we communicate, using more video and instant messaging, has also been a change. Back only 25 years ago, there was only one way to get to most real-time / voice business communication systems from outside the building. Call into it from the PSTN. The change I described above has been enabled because of a wide variety of rich and powerful networks. The incredible capability of modern networks enables us to imagine four states of an Evolved Office. These states don’t necessarily have to happen in chronological order and can also overlap. These states are simply there to help illustrate how enterprise communication needs will vary by company and will change, how they will continue to change, and how the Business Communications System will be playing a central role in these evolutions going forward. Borderless Network Most offices today are in at least the first state of the Evolved Office, the Borderless Network. The business voice communications system can now be accessed from various networks, no matter where you are. Whether the user is on a Wi-Fi, LTE, or 5G mobile network or from an enterprise ethernet network, access to your business voice communications is possible. The networks are so advanced that access to all your business systems, not just voice systems, is possible. This enables work to occur from anywhere, at any time. While more ubiquitous Wi-Fi is coming in the form of more and more hotspots, essentially extending your office to wherever a Wi-Fi hotspot can be found, 5G is the next frontier for enterprise communications. And not just because someone will be calling you at work or into your contact center from a 5G network. 5G also means faster speeds than any other wireless network, and it means your entire business could ultimately be connected to the outside world via a mobile connection. Think about the concept of mobile SIP trunking, if you will. Your whole business could be connected this way, and you can even have a 5G business network slice or dedicated bandwidth for you. All of this means that all different varieties of business communication systems, whether unified or not, do not have to be physically on premise. All of these systems can be driven by cloud architectures. In other words, the borderless network also means everything could be in the cloud if one so chooses. Next week I’ll explore further evolutions of the office.

cloud, communications, Ucaas, Unified Communications

In recent years, organizations have been thrust into remote and hybrid work scenarios. Companies of virtually every size were forced to adopt new delivery models for how its employees communicate and collaborate over daily tasks, even when not commuting to a physical workplace. Today’s companies are always looking for new ways to make operations more productive and profitable in spite of geographic disparity.Related: UCaaS & Its Benefits For The Modern Team Collaboration ToolTraditionally, the day-to-day management of remote staff activity has been problematic, with factors such as workplace efficiency and cost-effectiveness limiting just how far the company could go.The good news? Even the technologically inexperienced can benefit from - and even thrive in - a Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) environment.Let Us Be Your UCaaS GuideWhether you’re already familiar with UCaaS or just starting to learn about this mission-critical technology, it always helps to have a guide. Start at the beginning with the core purpose of UCaaS, and then see how finding the right platform and provider can make all the difference for your business.Related: What Is Unified Communications?UCaaS delivery models provide comprehensive access to communications and collaboration services on an on-demand basis. Tools such as chats, video conferences, productivity apps, and IP phone options are presented “as a service” through a consolidated, cloud-based platform that is accessible over virtually any device.Related: The Digital Workplace & Connected Workspace TechnologyAt the basic level, deployments streamline access to those and other features without passing along common headaches such as hardware and software installations, maintenance, staged updates, and migrations that tend to plague even the most experienced users. These technical needs are managed by your UCaaS provider.Related: Top 6 Reasons Your Business Needs Connected WorkspaceFor just a simple subscription, the UCaaS service provider handles all aspects for the organization, allowing it to focus exclusively on work and productivity. Nightmares such as communication lags, cooperative barriers, and document security become a thing of the past!UCaaS FeaturesTraditionally, UCaaS deployments include these features:Voice Calling: From phones, VoIP softphones, and mobile devicesConferencing: Real-time video, audio, and web-based including in-browser video calls from any device without downloading extra softwareMessaging: Via email, with voicemail, chat, and SMS-integrated contact centers and customer call managementCollaboration: Through shared desktop apps and workspaces integrated into your communications system, plus the option to customize with third-party applicationsUCaaS BenefitsUCaaS offerings have numerous benefits to organizational operations, including options for:Working from Anywhere: Remote and hybrid employees can interact in real time, regardless of geographic barriers or the device they’re usingBusiness Continuity: Cloud infrastructure is securely housed off-site - and often with geo-redundancy - to promote business continuity and disaster recoveryScalability: App maintenance and updates are organized and pushed automatically via the cloud, while purchased capacity can be expanded by adding to the subscriptionProductivity: Promoted with increases to speed and efficiency in communications and document sharingCustomer Service: Features contact center elements to monitor call data and improve CRMCost: Eliminates hardware and software requirements, reducing IT spendingData-Driven Analytics: Leverages cloud-based insight to monitor employee work and correspondencesUCaaS As A Business AdvantageAt a basic level, UCaaS streamlines cloud-native dialogue to bolster efficiency and minimize concern and cost. Elements such as support for voice and VoIP, presence, SMS and MMS, analytics and cross-device alerts promote more effectiveness in both areas.Related: Save Money, Cut Your IT Costs & Reduce Complexity With DaaSIn today’s corporate landscape, more and more employers are utilizing the remote and hybrid work experience, not just for the staff member, but for the executive as well. Allowing workers to access communications and collaboration software from their location of choice, rather than within a dedicated physical office or cubicle, is becoming a more commonly accepted norm. It may even be argued that this is the new standard for businesses to follow.Related: How SD-WAN Can Help Your BusinessFor that reason, access to top-notch communications and work-share tools is an absolute necessity. With UCaaS, one gains quick and easy access to applications to bolster productivity, free worker availability, secure critical infrastructure, maintain assets, and decrease overhead cost.Contact our team today to discuss these and other benefits that UCaaS can offer to you! We will be your UCaaS Guide to choosing the right system for your needs!Contact Us

cloud, communications, Daas, Desktop As A Service, Ucaas

What kind of companies might utilize a cloud-based virtual desktop (Desktop-as-a-Service or DaaS for short)? It could be any, but they would generally fall into a couple of categories:  Companies that want to minimize laptop costsCompanies that want to control employee data access have – i.e., no downloading of files to personal computers (financial institutions, government agencies, etc.)Companies that want to outsource “security of data” as much as possibleSeasonal or project-based businesses where giving laptops to contractors or seasonal employees isn’t practical Is this for every company? No. I certainly like my laptop, and I like the applications on it. I do a lot of work when I’m not connected to the Internet. But this might make sense for your company, especially as you move forward. How do I get this? The delivery and sales model are very similar to other cloud applications such as UCaaS. The DaaS provider sets up the service, and the business “buys” the service through a monthly subscription licensing model for its employees. Sangoma offers DaaS services today. We have customers big and small using our DaaS solution. Many of our customers come to us initially for our UCaaS solution, and then when in discussions with them, they’ve been open to moving everything to the cloud. Our DaaS solution offers them the ability to do this, with the emphasis we can give on UCaaS.

cloud, communications, Daas, Desktop As A Service, Ucaas

Last week we explored what Desktop-as-a-Service is, and this week we’ll get into some of the benefits. As discussed in last week’s blog, security is a benefit because your business won’t have to worry about it. Data is stored in the DaaS provider data center, and the DaaS provider must manage that. Presumably, they’d be able to do a better job than a smaller business with this. But beyond that, data on your laptop wouldn’t exist or wouldn’t be as deep. When I worked for Intel years ago, I remember that we had quite a bit of training regarding how to manage your laptop on business trips to minimize the risk of it being stolen (excellent training, by the way, which I still utilize today).  From an IT perspective, bringing on a new employee is easier. Decide which employee desktop template is required (i.e., the Product Management one, the Marketing one, the Sales one, etc.) for that employee and tie it to the new employee. Then the new employee logs in from the company device. In other words, someone can log into the virtual desktop anywhere, from any device, and the desktop will look the same. IT can also manage “pushes” of applications easier – it’s just done centrally. And updates of security patches or updates of any kind to whatever thin client is used can be managed centrally. And there are potential cost savings since thin clients are less expensive than laptops. Or even supports employees who may want to use their own laptop – they just log in to the DaaS system to get to their “employee” mode. I’ve also read some studies where virtual desktops or DaaS can lower energy used by your company. Are there any downsides? Like any cloud service, when a centralized server environment is used, there is potential for things to “slow down” since there isn’t enough computing power in the central environment. Graphics intensive applications are examples of this. But there has been much work done by infrastructure providers to resolve these issues, and they are less and less of a problem.

cloud, communications, Daas, Desktop As A Service, Ucaas

You may have heard of Desktop-as-a-Service, with its projections of 17% CAGR and $10B market size within a few years, and wondered, “what is this” and “is this for me”?  Before we get to DaaS, it is essential to understand VDI or Virtual Desktop Infrastructure. Virtual desktops are a way to access your company’s applications through your company’s data infrastructure, which might be managed on-prem or via an MSP. Or put another way, think about what applications you might use at your desktop every day at work – Microsoft Office, your CRM of choice, your desktop clients, etc. and these would be in your company’s data infrastructure instead of hosted on your computer. So, you have a virtual desktop because what you see via your endpoint is all virtual and hosted in a typical company data structure environment. Access to these applications occurs only via the endpoint that your company gives you. Your endpoint may be a laptop, or because your endpoint doesn’t need all the processing power it might have before, your endpoint can be more of a thin client. DaaS is a virtual desktop but totally within the cloud and outside of your IT infrastructure per se. A cloud service provider would deliver these virtual desktops to employees, customized to each employee’s needs, just like UCaaS does. As with UCaaS (compared to on-prem UC), the DaaS provider takes care of maintenance, updates, storage, and back-ups. Your IT department doesn’t need to do that. And your DaaS provider takes care of security as well. Security is a big issue these days. Weekly we read about security breaches and ransomware attacks. If you go a cloud provider route, typically, they will be on the leading edge of security compared to if you had to do it for your own business. In this way, any cloud provider or DaaS provider can be seen as providing a more secure environment. But additional security is also obtained because the endpoints are managed – i.e., various ways into the network are centralized. So, in a nutshell, DaaS is a cloud-based virtual desktop. And Sangoma offers it.

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