New Services to Sell: 8×8 Platform, Comcast Connectivity, More
8×8, Comcast and many other vendors are improving their work-from-home portfolios.
Remote work has incurred a myriad of business challenges, and technology companies are facing the challenge head-on. 8×8 rolled out a communications portfolio that includes a Microsoft Teams integration. Versa Networks unveiled a secure access service edge (SASE) solution. Also, Comcast introduced a residential connectivity solution for employees working at home.
But there’s more to our monthly product recap than work-from-home products and services. Windstream updated its contact center service with a new capability. Zoom made an announcement that many of its critics have been waiting to hear. And multiple master agents hit the news wire with supplier agreements.
Check out the 12 images below to see the hottest new offerings and tools available to channel partners.
Did you miss your previous new services roundup? Find our May edition here.
RingCentral
RingCentral announced a Microsoft Teams integration.The UCaaS provider teamed up with Microsoft to give users access to RingCentral Cloud PBX features from inside Teams. RingCentral's channel chief said the integration helps partners deliver more flexible communications options.
Get details on the integration.
Mitel
Mitel Networks launched a private cloud service.
MiCloud Flex is available on Google Cloud in three countries. The wholesale service targets the midmarket and enterprise. It came a year after Mitel unveiled the UCaaS solution MiCloud Connect.
Read our Q&A with Mitel's senior vice president for the Americas.
Windstream
The carrier enhanced its contact center service
Windstream Enterprise added web-based chat to OfficeSuite UC contact center services. A Windstream executive called the addition "yet another multichannel CCaaS solution" that partners can use.
“This multichannel functionality opens the door for many up-market opportunities that require this functionality, and even additional revenue opportunities with small to medium-size businesses [that] are ready to move beyond voice-only contact centers," he said.
Read more in our June 1 UC Roundup.
8x8
Say hello to 8x8's "work-from-anywhere" communications lineup.The UCaaS vendor launched its Open Communications portfolio, which includes 8x8 Voice for Microsoft Teams. Channel chief John DeLozier said its integration solves "functional gaps" in the extremely popular Teams environment.
“Partners with Microsoft Teams customers needing reliable enterprise-grade public switched telephone network connectivity for globally distributed offices can now deliver a single, global cloud voice solution across multiple countries and locations,” DeLozier said.
Learn more about the Open Communications platform.
Comcast
Comcast Business unveiled a home-based connectivity solution designed to give remote employees enterprise-grade internet.The offering works best for service-oriented verticals like health care and accounting, according to Comcast. It also can come with mobility and security tools.
Check out Lynn Haber's article.
TBI
The Chicago-based master agent announced several supplier partnerships last month.TBI partners can now sell managed mobility services from Wireless Watchdogs and managed detection and response services from 360 SOC. They also have access to the Aircall cloud-based voice platform.
Read about the Aircall, 360 SOC and Wireless Watchdogs partnerships.
Zoom
The video conferencing provider announced a plan for end-to-end encryption (E2EE).All users – even those who don't pay – will benefit from the encryption. They'll need to fill out additional info in order to do so. Zoom's CEO reversed course after having said that only paying customers would get E2EE. Beta testing will begin this month.
"We have identified a path forward that balances the legitimate right of all users to privacy and the safety of users on our platform,” Eric Yuan said.
See the news about Zoom in Edward Gately's UC roundup.
MetTel
Viasat joined MetTel's connectivity portfolio.MetTel can sell the Viasat's satellite-based internet service and fill gaps in its coverage area. The addition will help reach the many rural businesses that struggle with high-speed connectivity.
Learn about the new arrangement.
Sandler Partners
The Hermosa Beach, California-based master agent added an SD-WAN partner.Bigleaf Networks will benefit from Sandler's 9,000-plus channel partners. The partners, on the other hand, can maximize the internet with their new SD-WAN offering. A Sandler executive said Bigleaf's products will come in handy, especially as remote workers share internet with their families.
Read our article on the partnership.
PlanetOne
PlanetOne Communications bolstered its telecom portfolio.The master agent signed an agreement with BullsEye Telecom. As a result, PlanetOne channel partners will enjoy a variety of new solutions to sell. SD-WAN, managed Wi-Fi and IoT and are just a few of the technologies BullsEye provides.
Learn what the two companies have been up to lately.
Versa
Versa Networks released a secure access service edge (SASE) offering.The SD-WAN provider launched the "turnkey offering" in response to partner feedback. Versa Secure Access helps remote employees use public and private cloud-hosted applications. Versa's chief marketing officer called the solution "a gateway into many more opportunities."
Edward Gately has the scoop.
D&H
The distributor enhanced its cloud marketplace with Cisco solutions.Partners can access the Cisco WebEx portfolio through the marketplace. They can also find Cisco's Umbrella security products and Stealthwatch network visibility offerings. The hardware, software and services can come in bundles.
This story is also in the UC roundup.
