Enterprise software architecture has long suffered from what can be called an “integration tax.” When an organization deploys a communications platform, it rarely stops at the basic functions, such as calling and messaging. To extract operational value, it must overlay data analytics layers, emergency notification systems and context-matching engines. Each addition introduces architectural complexity, data egress liabilities and synchronization latency. This week communications provider 8×8 expanded its AI tool suite.

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Connecting the front line: How 8×8 Pulse and Resolve fix corporate blind spots

Cloud communications provider RingCentral Inc. announced today announced it’s acquiring CommunityWFM, a workforce management provider. CommunityWFM will be integrated into RingCentral’s homegrown contact center solution, RingCX. No purchase price was given and CommunityWFM took in no funding, but its revenue is believed to be somewhere in the $5 million to $10 million range.

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RingCentral dials up native workforce management with the acquisition of CommunityWFM

Communications provider Mitel Networks Corp. today is rolling out a new artificial intelligence-powered customer experience platform to help businesses optimize customer interactions by integrating with existing communication tools.

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Mitel brings AI to its multicloud contact experience offering

In a surprise move, global communications provider NEC Corp. has decided to exit the cloud communications sector in most regions of the globe. Earlier this year, NEC announced it would exit the on-premises PBX business everywhere except Japan. It would shift its focus by reselling Intermedia’s Cloud Communication solution under the brand name of UNIVERGE BLUE.

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Intermedia to gain from NEC’s exit from cloud communications

The cloud industry is currently undergoing a significant sea change. The term “cloud” has been used to describe public cloud services. Over the past few years, buyers’ attitudes toward cloud services have noticed a notable change, with private and hybrid deployments rising. This trend isn’t limited to communications; it has been seen more broadly.

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Mitel’s common framework promises to simplify hybrid unified communications solutions