The hosted unified communications platform offers business-critical applications including messaging, mobile integration, Web collaboration and video conferencing.
BroadSoft unveiled its cloud-based unified communications offering for
telecommunications service providers that includes messaging, mobile
integration, Web collaboration and video conferencing.
Dubbed BroadCloud, the hosted infrastructure will feature a full line of
unified communications services that can be custom-branded for customers,
BroadSoft said on Oct. 25.
When evaluating unified communications packages and services, IT managers
are looking for specific services, including unified messaging, instant
messaging, presence, hosted contact center, mobile integration, Web
collaboration, video conferencing and integration with third-party business
software, said BroadSoft.
"Rather than following the market and attempting to dictate which
services should comprise a UC offering, we have focused our product development
efforts on the services enterprises say they want," said Michael Tessler, CEO
of BroadSoft.
The BroadCloud Instant Messaging and Presence capability offers a complete
corporate instant messaging and presence platform. Both the user's desk phone
and mobile phone status are integrated into the platform, providing the most
up-to-date presence information available.
BroadCloud Video is a "high-definition, always-on, meet-me" video conferencing
service, according to BroadSoft, and supports a wide selection of third-party
room, desktop and soft-client video-enabled devices. Glowpoint's
"Open Video" and Telepresence
interExchange Network (TEN) platforms
are integrated within BroadCloud to facilitate video communications outside of
the enterprise, BroadSoft said.
The BroadCloud Web Collaboration suite offers several Web-based
collaboration tools to improve communication and team-building. The tools
include screen sharing, a document library, chat, audio and video support, and
a white board to write notes and sketch ideas. BroadSoft said these tools are
accessible from a wide range of mobile devices, not just a desktop.
BroadCloud will also include BroadSoft's PacketSmart and Casabi SAAS (software-as-a-service)
products, said the company in a statement.
The BroadCloud PacketSmart service provides network assessment and
monitoring. IT managers can examine network traffic, find bottlenecks, identify
issues and generally ensure the network is healthy to deliver the
"highest" quality of experience to the user, the company said.
A customer-focused solution, BroadCloud Casabi handles personalization. This
SAAS offering supports sending group SMS messages, personalized tools and
content, and organizes multiple users into groups. The service is based on the
technology from Casabi, which BroadCloud acquired earlier this month.
"With the addition of our BroadCloud hosted platform, we are offering a
service delivery model that accelerates time-to-market for our service provider
customers, enables them to brand and customize a UC solution, and allows them
to quickly capitalize on the growing demand of these communications
services," said Tessler.
Fixed-line, mobile and cable service providers can extend their
communication services to include any or all of these services, the company
said.
BroadCloud is a service delivery method that complements BroadSoft's
existing BroadWorks platform, software delivered via servers embedded in the
service provider network, said Leslie Ferry, vice president of marketing at BroadSoft.
BroadWorks delivers all PBX features, and BroadCloud services work with a
variety of SIP-based phones, including Polycom, Cisco, Aastara and Grandstream,
said Ferry in an e-mail to eWEEK.
The foundation of BroadSoft's software-as-a-service
business, BroadCloud will feature Xtended, an online marketplace
distribution platform, for service providers to offer a custom-branded unified
communications service.
"Another compelling capability of our BroadCloud platform is the
ability for carriers to leverage the growing acceptance and adoption of app
stores," added Ferry. "We are enabling our service provider customers
to complement their existing distribution channels for Unified Communication
services with an online marketplace, which is a growing, preferred purchase
option by end-users and offers higher service margins."
Customers can access, purchase and start their services within the
Marketplace to speed up deployment, BroadSoft said.
Email
Print
