Welcome to this week’s news round-up, curated to allow you to read over this long (hopefully sunny) weekend.
This week saw Microsoft increase its prices for 365, Facebook launched its Horizon Workrooms VR collaboration app, and Comcast acquired Masergy.
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Microsoft 365 Sees Price Increase
The vendor giant is increasing the price of Microsoft 365, the “first substantive pricing update” since it launched 10 years ago, according to Jared Spataro, Corporate Vice President for Microsoft 365.
He added that the move is a reflection of the innovation and apps added to the software over the years. The increase will come into effect from 1 March 2022.
He stated:
“[W]e have continuously re-invested to meet the changing needs of our customers. Four years ago, we introduced Microsoft 365 to bring together the best of Office, Windows, and Enterprise Mobility and Security (EMS). That same year we added Microsoft Teams as the only integrated solution where you can meet, chat, call, collaborate, and automate business processes—right in the flow of work”
Spataro also revealed that Microsoft is adding unlimited dial-in capabilities for Microsoft Teams meetings across its enterprise, business, frontline, and government suits in the next few months.
Comcast Business Snaps Up Masergy
In a bid to capture more global enterprise clients, Comcast Business acquired Masergy, which specialises in managed SD-WAN, unified communications, customer experience, and managed security.
Masergy boasts 1400 customers across 100 countries.
Bill Stemper, President of Comcast Business, stated:
“Masergy provides a perfect complement to our portfolio of enterprise services and solutions and will allow us to instantly and dramatically amplify our growth in the global enterprise market”
“We’re excited to welcome Masergy’s employees and leadership to Comcast Business as we bring continued innovation and superior experience to our customers.”
Facebook Launches Horizon Workrooms
Facebook has launched Horizon Workrooms, a virtual and mixed reality collaboration platform for business.
The app provides a virtual meeting space that can be joined by VR or video call, where colleagues can collaborate via virtual whiteboards.
The VR element of the app is available in countries where the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset is supported.
