CenturyLink Targets SMBs with Cloud Communications Solution

CenturyLink has expanded its portfolio of voice and real-time communication services to include CenturyLink Engage, aimed at SMBs.

CenturyLink Engage offers: more than 80 features, including advanced call routing, audio, video, instant messaging, file sharing collaboration and access to call centers; an option to bring your own internet or bundle with CenturyLink internet; and a program that allows businesses to terminate service at any time with no early termination fees, regardless of agreement type.

Michael Robles, CenturyLink senior director of product management, tells Channel Partners that Engage will enable partners to combine the CenturyLink network with a cloud voice solution to create an integrated experience between the calling software and the transport network for partner customers. It also will enable more streamline deployment for the partner without the need for multiple vendors and the coordination of activities, he said.

CenturyLink’s Michael Robles

“Engage offers the ability for partners and customer to focus on their business and leverage the capabilities of a cloud communications platform offering calling, collaboration and contact center capabilities without worrying about complex integration activities,” he said.

Engage includes a softphone app for PC, tablet and smartphones. IP phones are optional, and customers can bring their own compatible phones. Engage also provides customers with an optional online directory listing, customer relationship management (CRM) integration and other add-on tools to enhance value, according to CenturyLink.

Engage is available to business customers in all 50 states, with plans for international expansion.

“Engage will offer partners the ability to quickly deploy new services backed by the network — limiting the need to design a service for each location and improved response if issues do occur,” Robles said.

Engage offers the ability for customers to buy what they need, whether a simple calling package to enable basic calling or adding in collaboration for conference calling and desktop sharing, he said.

“CenturyLink Engage delivers simple, flexible cloud calling and collaboration with an exceptional user experience,” said Adam Saenger, CenturyLink‘s vice president of networking solutions. “When paired with our network connectivity, the customer experience is further enhanced because cloud and business applications depend on network scale and performance. The CenturyLink network has the speed, scale and reliability designed to optimize critical, real-time applications such as CenturyLink Engage. These capabilities are just another way we are creating value for our small and medium business customers.”