ESI Evolves the eCloud PBX
It was more than two years ago that Estech Systems Inc. (ESI) officially launched the ESI Cloud PBX, a subscription-based hosted telephony service for businesses in North America. The hosted offer, now known as eCloud PBX, has evolved since then,…
UCStrategies Reports on NextCon16 and BroadSoft Connections
UCStrategies Experts were in attendance at two recent overlapping events: BroadSoft Connections, and Nextiva NextCon16, which is the topic of this week’s Industry Buzz podcast. Blair Pleasant, who attended the Nextiva event, moderates the conversation, with Experts Dave Smith, Jon Arnold, Melissa Swartz, Dave Michels and Michael…
“Deny All” Networking
Enterprises that are tired of being hacked or impacted by DDoS attacks, must move to a new network architecture. One that denies forwarding any packet at the edge of the network, unless there is an explicit policy to allow it…
Apple and WeChat
I keep getting asked what I think of the new “consumer” messaging services like Apple’s text messaging where you can draw and send emojis. Worldwide, WeChat and WhatsApp lead the way. I hear that WeChat has over half a billion…
The Hotel That Has Everything…
The Hotel That Has Everything… … but don’t expect to find a standard old guest room phone on your night table. … but don’t expect to find a standard old guest room phone on your night table. The Winery Hotel…
Mitel 2016
I recently attended a Mitel overview and have made a 2Pager available below. I love it when a company does something so obvious that it’s actually unique. I have to give recognition to Mitel for it’s ingenious approach to the…
Sad that Apple Intentionally Cripples its Products
There have been quite a few articles talking about how Apple has been crippling their Verizon/Sprint iPhone 7 phones to force them to go slower than the hardware allows. The story you will hear is a bit different from the…
Will Amazon ReInvent UCaaS?
This Tuesday is the next big conference to watch: Amazon’s AWS Re:Invent. I am not attending personally, but maybe next year. Re:Invent is when AWS leadership talks about the future of its business and what is coming next for the…
Happy Thanksgiving Avaya Debt Holders
WSJ reports that Avaya is weighing a chapter 11 bankruptcy and nearing a deal to sell its call-center unit. About frickn’ time. I am ready for a new Avaya. This current one is too stressed. That’s what comes with RIFs,…
So Much to Say, So Little Time
There is so much going on I can’t stand it. There’s really only two things that keep me from writing: travel and illness – and I’ve had both. It’s been back-to-back travel since MS Ignite in September. The past three…
The Problem with Operations People
It’s hard to understand something you don’t understand. When I watch Cirque du Soleil live it looks so effortless. I have had the opportunity to talk with Cirque performers and have come to realize how much work and talent it…
MS Teams With Andrei Soroker (podcast)
When it comes to messaging apps, Andrei is a pro. I tracked him down to get his take on MS Teams. Andrei Soroker is the cofounder and CEO of Sameroom, an interoperability platform for real-time communication services, like Skype, Slack,…
Seeking SIs for UC Advisory Board
I am seeking owner-operated SIs that want to better their UC business. It’s lonely at the top, but it doesn’t have to be. This UC Advisory Board of peers will meet regularly to discuss trends, solve problems, mentor each other,…
Named Addressing for IP Networks
If we combined the best of snail mail, telephony, and IP addressing, we could come up with a new IP addressing schema that would simplify, secure, and scale all global IP communications. While IPv6 addresses the scalability issue with IPv4,…
Twilio’s Jeff Lawson: Building an API Empire
Twilio’s Jeff Lawson: Building an API Empire Early to recognize the power of communications API model, Twilio’s founder is busy making sure his company doesn’t lose its first-mover advantage. Early to recognize the power of communications API model, Twilio’s founder…
Avaya IP Office R10, Hybrid Cloud & More
Avaya continues to evolve its IP Office communications platform for small and mid-size organizations and enterprise branch offices. With the latest Release 10, the emphasis is not on new features or applications, but instead on improvements related to system architecture,…
Reviewing the Latest (and Greatest) BC Summit
In this Industry Buzz podcast, the UCStrategies Experts review the recently concluded BC Summit 2016, held November 1-3 in Palm Springs, California. Discussion topics include overall impressions and takeaways, trends seen in this year’s agenda, the new venue (La Quinta…
Microsoft Teams Arrives – Free 2Pager
When I describe Workstream Messaging I inevitably make a reference to Slack. That’s about to change as most of the world is about to discover the concept from Microsoft with its newest offer: Microsoft Teams. There was a rumor sometime ago…
Microsoft Announces Microsoft Teams
When I describe Workstream Messaging I inevitably make a reference to Slack. That’s about to change as most of the world is about to discover the concept from Microsoft with its newest offer: Microsoft Teams. There was a rumor sometime ago…
Update on Polycom
I recently attended Polycom analyst event in New York. The event took place just after the completion of its acquisition by Siris Capital. Mary McDowell was present and available to introduce herself as the new CEO. Session presentations included portfolio review, road…