Cisco
The industry is moving into a post-PC world, according to Cisco Systems officials (and others). The networking giant is moving its collaboration portfolio in the same direction. At the show, Cisco said it’s expanding the reach of its Jabber unified communications platform to Apple’s iPad and Windows-based devices. It also introduced a newly designed TelePresence solution, the TX9000, which also offers greater integration with both Jabber and WebEx.
Polycom, HP, Microsoft
The three vendors unveiled solutions that offer Polycom’s video conferencing and HP’s networking, combined with Microsoft’s Lync, to create best-of-breed offerings that bring high-performing, low-cost UC capabilities to enterprises. The solutions are standards-based and interoperable, making them easy to deploy and run. (Photo by Enterprise Connect)
Avaya
Avaya officials unveiled their Collaborative Cloud framework and the AvayaLive suite of cloud-based collaboration solutions. There also was AvayaLive Connect, an integrated UC offering for smaller businesses that includes voice, voice conferencing, messaging, video and mobility. Those looking to create enterprise-level collaboration clouds also can leverage Avaya’s Virtual Enterprise Network Architecture and Avaya Aura communications platform. (Photo by Enterprise Connect)
Vidyo
Vidyo launched its VidyoRouter Virtual edition, a cloud-based high-definition video conferencing platform that is based on VMware’s virtualization platform. It will enable businesses to more easily deploy video communications as a service. (Photo by Enterprise Connect)
Logitech
Logitech, long a maker of consumer-focused products, jumped into the business side with its acquisition in 2009 of video conferencing vendor LifeSize. Now, it has its own branded corporate product, the BCC950 ConferenceCam, a high-definition video and audio device aimed at making it easier for smaller groups of people to collaborate through video from any room.
Genband
The networking company is expanding into the enterprise communications space with advanced UC and SIP trunking offerings. Company officials said they are leveraging their IP application, networking and switching expertise to enable enterprises to move to an IP-based UC infrastructure. (Photo by Enterprise Connect)
Thrupoint
Thrupoint officials are trying to address the issue of interoperability through their Fusion framework. At the show, the company introduced a new application, Thrupoint Fusion UC, aimed at the burgeoning tablet space, and the Thrupoint Fusion Service Broker, which officials say offers session management 2.0 capabilities and provides greater interoperability between various UC platforms.
8×8
8×8 unveiled new features to its Virtual Office cloud PBX business phone service and integrated Virtual Office Pro UC solution. Through the company’s Virtual Office UC offering, businesses can get to their communications services from any location using an IP phone, PC and Web browser, or smartphone, the 8×8 officials said. The latest features offer additional call-handling capabilities and more Web-based options, including streamlined dialing online chat.
CounterPath
At the show, CounterPath demonstrated its Bria desktop and mobile softphone applications, as well as the CounterPath Client Configuration server. It also gave a sneak peek of SoftPhone.com, an upcoming cloud offering for small and midsized businesses (SMBs).
snom, Chinook
snom technology AG and Chinook Communications announced a partnership designed to offer a new cloud-based integrated IP telephony and UC service called Total Connect, which will offer SMBs all the capabilities of Microsoft’s Lync Server 2010 via the cloud.