Welcome back to our weekly round-up of the hottest happenings in the UC&C industry.
This week saw Cisco launch its new Webex Suite offering, Apple announce that its employees would be making a return to the office, and we guide you through the finer points of Microsoft’s Operator Connect and Direct Routing.
Microsoft Operator Connect vs Direct Routing
Operator Connect was announced at Microsoft Ignite earlier this year and is a solution within the Teams Operator Console that allows customers to directly configure their services from several providers, including Intrado, BT, Orange Business Services, NuWave, Verizon, T-Mobile, and many others.
Direct Routing is available from a host of UCaaS companies and allows Microsoft Teams users to make calls, access UCaaS features, and unlock new functionality within the Teams client.
UC Today’s Rebekah Carter delved into Microsoft’s voice products to gauge the benefits and uses of each of its Teams phone offerings.
Cisco Launches New Webex Suite
Cisco’s recent acquisitions of Slido and Socio have already been put to use with technology from both platforms integrated into its new Webex Suite offering.
The new solution combines tools across meetings, calling, messaging, events and polling and is purported to be tailor-made for hybrid working.
Chuck Robbins, CEO at Cisco, stated: “Cisco’s collaboration business is incredibly essential to our customers.
“With all the integrations the team has added – 800 new features and devices since September – we truly have the most comprehensive meetings, calling, messaging, and event management solution on the market powering the future of hybrid work”
Apple Sounds Klaxon for Office Return
The tech titan has asked employees to return to offices in September, claiming that videoconferencing is not sufficient by itself.
Apple CEO Tim Cook sent a memo to staff, stating that most employees will be required to work in an office three days a week, with the option to work remotely for two days. All remote working will need to be signed off by management.
