Evaluate

Evaluate

Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.

• Intelligent virtual assistant market takes shape as it grows

  Explore the growing enterprise use of intelligent virtual assistants to facilitate tasks and enhance the meeting experience. Continue Reading

• Teams vs. Webex vs. Zoom: Comparing collaboration features

  When organizations compare Teams vs. Webex vs. Zoom as their primary UCaaS platform, the deciding factor may be how each vendor approaches collaboration. Continue Reading

• UC user adoption training must evolve for hybrid work

  Learn why industry leaders at Enterprise Connect said user adoption training is key to UC success in the hybrid workplace -- and how employee experience platforms can help. Continue Reading

• How virtual whiteboard collaboration supports remote teams

  Virtual whiteboard collaboration software can help organizations replicate the in-person ideation experience. Learn how Thoughtworks used Mural's software to support remote teams. Continue Reading

• Hybrid meetings, virtual whiteboards clash with outdated rooms

  As companies look to integrate virtual whiteboard software into their conference rooms for hybrid meetings, they should start investing in meeting room hardware. Continue Reading

• Hybrid work strategies fuel Enterprise Connect 2021 topics

  Navigating the post-pandemic workplace is challenging. Enterprise Connect 2021 will explore UC's role in supporting ongoing remote work and the hybrid workplace.Continue Reading

• The enterprise guide to video conferencing

  The video conferencing guide helps enterprises navigate collaboration in a hybrid work environment and includes best practices for implementation and user training.Continue Reading

• Weighing personal video conferencing endpoints for hybrid work

  Deploying video conferencing endpoints solely in meeting rooms ignores the needs of remote workers. Learn why desktop and home environments must be included when evaluating endpoint options.Continue Reading

• Popular video conferencing APIs to weigh for app integration

  Video conferencing APIs can simplify integrating video with business applications. Learn the benefits of video APIs and best practices to follow when evaluating API providers.Continue Reading

• 5 hybrid video conferencing tips for collaboration equity

  Experts say the fate of hybrid work may depend on collaboration equity in hybrid video conferencing sessions. Learn how to support in-office and remote meeting participants.Continue Reading

• What to consider before buying video conferencing technology

  Learn about the different types of modern video conferencing architectures and how enterprises can best implement these products into their current workforce.Continue Reading

• AI in video conferencing opens a world of features

  AI in video conferencing will result in useful features for businesses. Learn how AI capabilities improve meetings and what to ask conferencing vendors about their products.Continue Reading

• Cortana for enterprise Teams has promise but faces hurdles

  Microsoft has rebooted Cortana as the enterprise version of Alexa or Siri for Teams. The play is promising, but technical and privacy concerns mean its success is not yet certain.Continue Reading

• Branded, custom video conferencing enhances meetings

  Custom video conferencing can make meetings feel more engaging, and third-party tools can take these features even further. But hybrid work can create challenges.Continue Reading

• Understanding CPaaS market growth, trends and providers

  The CPaaS market is maturing as increased demand for digital communications drives new use cases. Learn about the trends and providers fueling CPaaS market growth.Continue Reading

• Compare Teams guest access vs. external access vs. Teams Connect

  Microsoft has a few options to connect Teams to outside users. Compare Teams guest access vs. external access vs. Teams Connect to decide which suits your external collaboration needs.Continue Reading

• What technologies are essential for effective telework?

  Some form of remote work is likely here to stay, even as the worst of the pandemic seems to be over. But employees need the right technologies if they are to remain productive.Continue Reading

• As workers return, virtual assistant tools get a new look

  People are familiar with using Siri and Alexa to control TVs and listen to playlists. Now, businesses are examining how these tools can help protect employees coming back into the office.Continue Reading

• Explore 12 virtual whiteboard software options for group work

  With enterprise workers now based in many locations, these 12 leading online whiteboards help recreate the in-person brainstorming experience with newly enhanced features.Continue Reading

• Zoom Phone system offers flexibility, simplified infrastructure

  The Zoom Phone system offers simplicity and flexibility to support remote and hybrid work. IT leaders at Enterprise Connect Virtual discuss their Zoom Phone migration strategies.Continue Reading

• Companies must rethink video conferencing usage in 2021

  In the coming months, the issue facing organizations is not cutting back video conferencing; it's determining how best to manage its use and minimize video fatigue.Continue Reading

• How could BYOD support touchless meeting rooms?

  Organizations have a few options to approach low-touch and touchless meeting rooms. BYOD and employee smartphones are one method to support social distancing and meeting room access.Continue Reading

• Will video fatigue drive users back to voice calls?

  The strain of being on camera all day is beginning to make its mark. Companies are reevaluating the role telephony may play as workers return to the office.Continue Reading

• Enterprise AR a vital component of Microsoft's UC strategy

  Enterprise AR is ready for prime time as organizations look for ways to make their remote meetings more productive by combining physical and virtual spaces.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Teams partners extend phone system capabilities

  While the Microsoft Teams phone system can meet most needs for organizations, connecting Teams to third-party partners can provide additional features, resiliency and support.Continue Reading

• Ultimate guide to team collaboration platforms

  This in-depth team collaboration platform guide examines how to create a virtual environment that promotes secure user engagement, productivity and innovation.Continue Reading

• Salesforce-Slack deal heralds the future of collaboration

  Deeper platform integrations, widespread communications tools and a dash of workflow automation are some of the elements that shape the future of team collaboration.Continue Reading

• What are the challenges of using multiple team collaboration apps?

  Companies are already using a variety of collaboration platforms, but managing them is hard. What should companies know when juggling multiple team collaboration apps?Continue Reading

• Explore 4 team collaboration apps and emerging competitors

  Team collaboration apps have redefined the UC market. Discover how the leading products compare on calling features, video conferencing support and pricing.Continue Reading

• Hybrid workplace model starts with meeting rooms, video

  The hybrid workplace is the future as not everyone will return to the office full time. Learn how IT leaders at Enterprise Connect Virtual are using UC to support a hybrid workplace model.Continue Reading

• Companies eye CPaaS, RCS business messaging to expand reach

  RCS business messaging, paired with CPaaS, is becoming an important tool for businesses looking for new ways to reach their customers and employees.Continue Reading

• New features in demand for collaboration technology

  Remote work culture has pushed team collaboration vendors to enhance their products. Learn more about video, workflow integration, security, AI and other up-and-coming features.Continue Reading

• What are the benefits of vendor-agnostic UC hardware?

  Organizations that want to switch UC platforms without sacrificing hardware investments can find benefits in vendor-agnostic UC hardware. But the benefits can come with tradeoffs.Continue Reading

• UCaaS key to hybrid workplace technology when offices reopen

  As companies begin to ask their employees to return to the office for at least part of the time, a suitable hybrid workplace technology foundation is critical.Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of custom home collaboration devices

  Home collaboration devices can help employees remain more productive. But make sure to carefully consider the drawbacks before buying dedicated hardware.Continue Reading

• WebRTC standard designation highlights technology's evolution

  The WebRTC standard is official. Learn how the technology evolved beyond facilitating embedded video communications and the future of the standard.Continue Reading

• Evaluating Direct Routing for Microsoft Teams telephony

  Direct Routing for Microsoft Teams may be the best path to the PSTN for most companies. But organizations should weigh their specific needs when choosing a Direct Routing partner.Continue Reading

• Monitoring productivity of employees crosses privacy boundaries

  As remote work continues, organizations are looking for new ways to monitor productivity of employees. But they walk a fine line between employee monitoring and surveillance.Continue Reading

• AR and VR in video conferencing offer post-pandemic benefits

  In a post-COVID-19 world, understanding the differences between AR and VR video conferencing will help companies determine which technology might be best for them.Continue Reading

• Ensure phone system compliance with 911 regulations

  In this roundup of UC blogs, analysts discuss phone system compliance with 911 regulations, Pexip's private cloud video platform and the growth of intelligent assistants.Continue Reading

• Will the pandemic drive further UCC industry consolidation?

  COVID-19 may drive further UCC industry consolidation as vendors look to develop new capabilities to support the communications needs created by remote and hybrid work.Continue Reading

• Remote work and AI drive the future of collaboration technology

  As remote work and hybrid workforces become the new normal, collaboration technology needs to adapt. Tech leaders at WebexOne discussed the drivers for collaboration's evolution.Continue Reading

• Evaluating endpoints for an Asterisk-based phone system

  Enterprises building an Asterisk-based phone system have three endpoint options. Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of these endpoints in this book excerpt.Continue Reading

• UCaaS adoption rises as firms consolidate UC setups

  Cloud-based UC provides the agility, mobility and cost savings organizations need. The current trend to consolidating UC in the cloud, and as a service, will likely expand.Continue Reading

• 2021 trends in video conferencing focus on flexibility

  Video conferencing took center stage as companies found ways to connect their dispersed workforce. For 2021, trends in video conferencing include how to make the technology more versatile, and more fun.Continue Reading

• 2021 trends driving the future of unified communications

  While 2021 is full of uncertainty for many organizations, four unified communications trends will drive buying decisions as IT leaders prepare for the future of work.Continue Reading

• What are the benefits of centralized SIP trunking?

  More efficient management and lower costs are just some of the advantages of centralized SIP trunking. Find out why it's better to place trunking components in one place.Continue Reading

• How has COVID-19 driven CPaaS API adoption?

  New CPaaS use cases are emerging as business requirements for digital communications services evolve in response to COVID-19.Continue Reading

• CPaaS market growth broadens amid new use cases

  While the pandemic didn't have a significant effect on CPaaS market growth, organizations accelerating their digital transformation plans are driving demand for APIs.Continue Reading

• How has Twilio SIP trunking disrupted the market?

  Making it easier for companies to deploy a SIP trunk was just part of Twilio's strategy. It was Twilio SIP trunking pricing that really changed the game.Continue Reading

• How UC technology supports long-term remote work

  Successful long-term remote work needs unified communications. Learn about the communications tools that organizations need to ensure effective employee communication.Continue Reading

• Unified communications analytics mature to verify business value

  There is more than one way to showcase the value of unified communications in the boardroom. UC analytics can help companies obtain the metrics they need to prove a business case.Continue Reading

• Slack's growth strategy faces the hurdle of paid users

  In this roundup of UC blogs, analysts discuss challenges to Slack's growth, enhancements to Avaya Spaces video and the drivers for UCC vendor consolidation.Continue Reading

• Whiteboard apps support virtual ideation for remote teams

  Ideation is more challenging as employees continue to work remotely. Virtual whiteboard apps are an emerging tool designed to help team members generate the innovations that businesses rely on.Continue Reading

• How do NG911 standards make the technology superior to E911?

  NG911 standards mean more accurate location tracking for emergency calls on IP-based communications systems, and more efficient response by police, EMTs and firefighters.Continue Reading

• Microsoft and Amazon take on CPaaS market share

  The CPaaS landscape is evolving as Microsoft and Amazon introduce their own communications APIs. Learn how cloud computing vendors entering the market is changing the CPaaS game.Continue Reading

• Enterprises mull software-based business phone alternatives

  Cellphone usage has outpaced POTS in the home, so why are enterprises still using desk phones? Business phone alternatives can save companies time and money.Continue Reading

• Zoom Phone system users share their success stories and setbacks

  Tech leaders at Zoomtopia explained how migrating to the Zoom Phone system provides their employees with an integrated communications experience and improved business continuity.Continue Reading

• UC presence evolves amid remote work revolution

  UC presence technology must evolve to be effective in today's world of remote work and multi-device communication. Learn how presence can adapt to new ways of working.Continue Reading

• Speech recognition use cases enable touchless collaboration

  For companies bringing workers back to the office, touchless collaboration is key. These three speech recognition use cases can help make that transition easier.Continue Reading

• Remote teams centralize collaboration on Slack platform

  Deploying collaboration technology has played a key role in supporting remote teams during the pandemic. Tech leaders at Slack Frontiers share their success stories.Continue Reading

• What will touchless collaboration in meeting rooms look like?

  Touchless collaboration will determine how employees use meeting room equipment in the future. Learn about three options -- one of which represents the worst alternative.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Teams updates address employee engagement

  In this roundup of UC blogs, analysts discuss Microsoft Teams updates, CPaaS announcements from Microsoft Ignite and Verizon's portfolio strategy for BlueJeans.Continue Reading

• Unified communications strategy shifts in wake of COVID

  Unified communications strategy has to accommodate both remote workers and those employees who may come back to the office. Where are companies allocating their UC budget dollars?Continue Reading

• What are use cases for business live event streaming services?

  Business live event streaming services can transform webinars and virtual events to be more interactive and create engaging experiences for customers.Continue Reading

• Webex vs. Zoom vs. Teams: Consider future needs, innovation

  As organizations evaluate unified communications products from Cisco, Zoom and Microsoft, they should consider how the vendors are investing in their respective products.Continue Reading

• Making the business case to migrate to Microsoft Teams PBX

  Replacing an on-premises PBX with Microsoft Teams Phone System offers organizations flexibility with pricing, hardware and collaboration capabilities but does have limitations.Continue Reading

• On-premises and cloud UC debate amplified by pandemic

  Three unified communications analysts offer insights on the current state of the on-premises vs. cloud debate as organizations grapple with industry changes.Continue Reading

• Why remote work needs mobile unified communications

  As organizations prepare their return-to-work strategies, mobile unified communications is key to ensure consistent access to communications tools, regardless of the user's location.Continue Reading

• CPaaS industry growth driven by pandemic communications

  The CPaaS industry is accelerating as the pandemic drives new use cases for communications APIs, from virtual patient visits in healthcare to contactless pickup in retail.Continue Reading

• The move to UC 3.0 and what it means for businesses

  Tony McQueen makes the case for why companies should consider implementing UC 3.0, such as improved integration, easier for remote employees to use and more.Continue Reading

• Cloud-based UC adoption skyrockets amid pandemic response

  Many organizations are considering cloud-based UC after their on-premises communications infrastructure failed to adequately support remote workers during the pandemic.Continue Reading

• Future-proof your UC strategy with these 3 best practices

  Future-proofing UC can be difficult, as technology evolves and employee needs change. Learn three best practices to consider before investing in a UC deployment.Continue Reading

• Enterprise Connect 2020 focuses on new UC priorities

  Organizations need advice on changing collaboration needs and pandemic-related remote work. A virtual Enterprise Connect 2020 will address a new world of enterprise communications.Continue Reading

• Will remote work spur unified communications interoperability?

  Unified communications interoperability is gaining more attention as more employees work from home. But, while some progress is being made, there is a long way to go.Continue Reading

• How can mobile collaboration support workers in a pandemic?

  Mobile collaboration apps help remote workers keep in touch during stay-at-home orders. They are also key to communications flexibility as workers begin returning to the office.Continue Reading

• Compare 11 leading cloud-based video conferencing tools

  Discover the top video conferencing tools with this detailed download that compares and contrasts the leading contenders in the cloud-based market today.Continue Reading

• AV integrators resolute amid changing market trends

  The AV market is undergoing a transformation due to COVID-19 and growing UC adoption. AV integrators still have an important role to play in a changing workplace.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Teams meetings tutorial offers best practices

  In this Microsoft Teams meetings tutorial, learn the features and functionalities of virtual meetings and live events, from customizing meeting requests to sharing content.Continue Reading

• Making the most of meetings in Microsoft Teams

  Meetings in Microsoft Teams are vital to support remote collaboration. Learn what role Teams meetings should play in your organization and where the platform must improve.Continue Reading

• Do you really need 4K video resolution in the enterprise?

  Organizations may not need 4K video resolution today, but it might be a good idea to prepare your infrastructure to support the higher-resolution format for tomorrow's demands.Continue Reading

• What are the benefits of a virtual session border controller?

  A virtual session border controller can help companies meet increased demands without requiring the installation of costly and dedicated hardware.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Teams vs. Zoom: Can Teams replace Zoom?

  Organizations weighing Microsoft Teams vs. Zoom conferencing must consider the long-term licensing costs, collaboration features and UX of the services.Continue Reading

• Slack and Zoom integration drives Skype's decline

  In this roundup of UC blogs, analysts discuss how the Slack and Zoom integration are pushing Skype's decline, why vendors must look beyond video and team collaboration success factors.Continue Reading

• How can CPaaS technology support remote work?

  CPaaS technology offers a lot of benefits, but it's not a quick fix for enterprises considering how they might use it to support increasing amounts of remote workers.Continue Reading

• Increased remote work requires evaluating collaboration costs

  Organizations taking advantage of free collaboration offerings during the pandemic must consider how collaboration costs will change as remote work continues.Continue Reading

• Enterprise collaboration market upended as remote work surges

  The enterprise collaboration market is facing significant change as employees work from home. Find out what companies need to do to help their workers thrive in this new environment.Continue Reading

• Team collaboration tools ease remote work management

  As employees continue to work from home, team collaboration apps can provide organizations with the tools they need to support remote work management and engagement.Continue Reading

• How do you compare the TCO of on-premises UC vs. UCaaS?

  While TCO can be a helpful metric when weighing on-premises UC options, it's less relevant for evaluating cloud services. Comparing on-premises UC vs. UCaaS has two considerations.Continue Reading

• Video conferencing encryption comes into focus

  With more people working from home and collaborating via online meetings, video conferencing security among vendors and users has been thrust into the spotlight.Continue Reading

• How do you measure jitter and what tools can you use?

  What's the best way to accurately measure jitter? There are a variety of tools, but it's important to pick the one that's right for you.Continue Reading

• Gains in WebRTC technology making it increasingly versatile

  WebRTC technology is now an important part of today's unified communications environment. But its road to adoption didn't come without a few bumps along the way.Continue Reading

• Video conferencing adoption surge highlights market trends

  Amid the throes of coronavirus, organizations have relied on video collaboration. But, after the pandemic subsides, will businesses still use video as a fundamental workflow?Continue Reading

• What collaboration metrics determine an app's business value?

  Collaboration tools offer organizations benefits, including increased productivity. Learn which collaboration metrics can provide insight into the business value of these tools.Continue Reading

• Evaluating video conference options: BYOC, kits, appliances

  The varieties of video conferencing tools can be confusing. Let our expert help you gain clarity on how kits, appliances and bring-your-own-compute options work.Continue Reading

• Should you buy communication APIs from a UC or CPaaS vendor?

  Organizations can deploy communication APIs from their UC provider or a stand-alone CPaaS provider. Learn why communication requirements will influence the vendor decision.Continue Reading

• The 3 benefits of maintaining T1 and E1 lines

  T1 and E1 lines may be old technology, but they have advantages over more modern internet connections. Learn the three benefits T1 and E1 offer compared to internet links.Continue Reading

• Determining the business benefits of CPaaS use cases

  Deploying CPaaS can improve business efficiency. But the success of CPaaS use cases depends on the benefits outweighing service implementation and development costs.Continue Reading

• Emerging UCaaS trends include workflow integrations and AI

  Analysts say UCaaS trends show growing adoption rates and increasingly sophisticated functionality. From application and workflow integrations to AI, here's what's ahead.Continue Reading

• UCaaS market verticals require custom platform features

  UCaaS market verticals have unique communications requirements. Most platforms now offer businesses more customizability to tailor features and integrations to meet specific needs.Continue Reading