Tech Adoption Challenges for SMBs - My Latest for No Jitter

My writing cycle is in high gear again, and I have a number of articles and papers coming to market soon. As part of the BCStrategies team, we have a regular rotation of articles for No Jitter, and my latest is out now.

The focus is a big topic that is easily overlooked - adoption of new technology for SMBs. While many cloud communications vendors strive to move upmarket, this sector is too big to ignore, but it’s a different sell than for large enterprises. One reason is a variety of challenges SMBs face to stay current with technology, and that’s the focus of my writeup.

You can read the article here, and if you like it, I’d love to hear from you!

Next Stop - London, for BT Analyst Event and UC Expo

I don’t travel overseas much, but on Monday I’m flying to London for two events. First is Focus 2024, British Telecom’s analyst event, then back again for UC Expo at the Excel Center. Will definitely be a full week, and I’ll share updates on LinkedIn as time allows.

For UC Expo, I’ll be speaking on three sessions - one is invite-only, and links are here for the other two:

Thursday at 1pm - a fireside chat on tech-driven inclusivity in the workplace

Thursday at 1:35 - Ask the Analyst panel session

If you’re attending, and want to meet up, please drop me a line. Also, the event hashtag is #UCX24.

July Editions Out Now - My Newsletter and Podcast

Just in time for the July 4 break! The latest editions of both my newsletter and podcast are out now - JAA’s Communications and Collaboration Review, and my Watch This Space podcast, now in its 7th season.

If you’re not a subscriber, signing up to my newsletter is easy - JAA’s Communications and Collaboration Review - the signup page is here.

For my Watch This Space podcast, you can subscribe on all the major platforms, or listen to any episode directly here on my website, or here on the dedicated WTS website.

This month, Chris and I reviewed recent events each of us attended in Las Vegas - HPE Discover for him, and NICE Interactions for me. LOTS to talk about, and some other sidebars I think you’ll enjoy. To give it a listen, here’s the link, and would love your feedback any time.

June Writing Roundup

More writing and less spoken word for June - four public writeups, and all were reviews of recent industry events.

Zoom Perspectives - Five Takeaways, June 5, BCStrategies

Verint Analyst Days - Four Takeaways, June 10, BCStrategies

Zoholics 2024: How the Company Models a Different Path to Success, June 21, No Jitter

NICE Interactions 2024: Just CX It - Executing on the Vision, June 21, BCStrategies

Catching up on Analyst Events - 2 Reviews to Share

I’ve had four conferences over the past few weeks, and my run of travel has finally hit pause. Writing is a big challenge when on the road, and invariably this creates some gaps in getting timely analysis done, along with having time to share it.

So, in case you missed it, here’s where to find my reviews from two of these events. I’ve written reviews for the other two as well, and both are in line to publish any day now.

Verint Analyst Days - my review runs here on BCStrategies

Zoom Perspectives - this review also on BCStrategies

Newsletter and Podcast Time - June Editions out Now

The June editions of both my newsletter and podcast are out now - JAA’s Communications and Collaboration Review, and my Watch This Space podcast, now in its 7th season.

If you’re not a subscriber, signing up to my newsletter is easy - JAA’s Communications and Collaboration Review - the signup page is here.

For my Watch This Space podcast, you can subscribe on all the major platforms, or listen to any episode directly here on my website, or here on the dedicated WTS website.

This month, the podcast reviews two recent analyst events I attended - Zoom and Verint - along with examining the pros and cons for these companies going all-in with AI. To give it a listen, here’s the link, and would love your feedback any time.

Next Stop - Zoholics, Austin, TX

Make what you will of the event name, but that’s where I’ll be next week. Zoholics is Zoho’s customer/partner event, and they have several of these on a regional basis around the globe. Earlier this year, I attended my first Zoho event, and this will be my first Zoholics event - in Austin, woo hoo - so I’m getting to know this very interesting company a bit better now.

The weather will be hot, the BBQ will be great, and there’s no better city for live music, so it’s shaping up to be a pretty, pretty good week. I’ll post updates as time allows, and you can track the event more broadly using these tags on social - #Zoholics24 and #ZoholicsUS.

May Events - Zoom and Verint - Quick Pix

Last week I had back-to-back analyst events in the US, and just wanted to share some photos here. First was Zoom Perspectives in NYC, followed by Verint Analyst Days in Dallas. I’ll be doing a written review of these later this week. Not sure where it will run, but stay tuned.

Also, as a heads-up, I discussed takeaways from these events with my partner Chris Fine on our Watch This Space podcast, which will run next Tuesday, along with my June newsletter. I hope you check those out. Until then, here are some quick pix of mine from last week’s events.

First, Zoom Perspectives in NYC. Below - executive team during Q&A session, Gary Sorrentino, Mahesh Ram

More from Zoom - Jeff Smith, Smita Hashim, and our tour of the MLB studios, a high-profile Zoom customer - very cool

Now, on to Verint Analyst Days in Dallas. Below - Dan Bodner, Jaime Merritt, David Singer

More Verint - event sign, the “CX Automation Matrix” discussion, Jaime with the event-themed cocktails

UC Awards 2024 - Time to Meet the Judges

Application entries for the 2024 edition of the UC Awards have been open for a few weeks now, and the window is closing soon - June 7, to be exact.

If you haven’t checked it out - especially all the new categories - here’s where you need to go next. Aside from details about the application process, you can also review the profiles of all the judges.

Next Stop - Zoom Perspectives and Verint Analyst Day

Am finally back to travel for industry events. Since the end of February, Enterprise Connect has been the only business travel for me, but that’s about to change. I was recuperating from foot surgery all of April, and had to pass on five events to manage that. The last two weeks, I was in Israel on a personal trip, but now it’s time to get back to events.

Starting today, I’m flying to NYC for Zoom Perspectives, then to Dallas on Wednesday for Verint Analyst Day. It’s way less flying than Israel, and a lot easier with time zone changes. I’ll be posting on LinkedIn as time allows, and soon after will write up my takeaways.

New Month - New Newsletter and Podcast

It’s time for the May editions of both my newsletter and podcast - JAA’s Communications and Collaboration Review, and my Watch This Space podcast, now in its 7th season.

If you’re not a subscriber, signing up to my newsletter is easy - JAA’s Communications and Collaboration Review - the signup page is here.

For my Watch This Space podcast, you can subscribe on all the major platforms, or listen to any episode directly here on my website, or here on the dedicated WTS website. The title in the thumb below tells you what we have on tap for this episode , and here’s the link if you want jump in right now. Hope you do, and would love to hear your thoughts!

April Writing Roundup

Due to unusual circumstances and calendar timing, I need to post this roundup today. Normally I post it at the beginning of each month, but this time around, it’s on the early side - happy Friday! Definitely an active month on the writing front, and here’s what I was up to for public-facing, bylined writing.

AI Drives New Speech Technology Trends and Use Cases, TechTarget, April 17

US Contact Center Market Review and the Qtivity Opportunity, Aizan, April 4

The EU AI Act - the Shape of Things to Come, Aizan Blog, April 1

AI Communications Features Key When Assessing UC Vendors, TechTarget, April 1

UC Awards 2024 - Back Again, Bigger and Better

UK-based UC Today has been running an annual awards program for seven years now, and the 2024 edition has just been launched. I’m returning as a judge, and the judging panel has now expanded to 16 members. We need a bigger panel, because there are 15 NEW categories, so this awards program is really growing.

If you’re looking to enter, there are lots of categories to choose from, that should be your starting point. The first date to note is April 29, when the application process opens - and closes on June 7. There’s lots to explore here, and more updates are coming, but UC Awards is back, and you check out the whole program here.

Enterprise Connect Redux - Roundup of Latest Takeaways

I’ve been doing a steady stream of post mortems this week since returning from Enterprise Connect, and being Friday, I’ll do the expedient thing and tally them here in one convenient spot. Others are still to come, and I’ve already shared these segments below individually on LinkedIn.

You may not have seen these, or haven’t checked them out yet - either way, the main reviews are here in this post. Whatever you care to check out - thank you - and would love to hear your take as well. Here goes…

First up - Telecom Reseller podcast, hosted by Doug Green. We covered a lot of ground, both about the event and bigger picture issues around AI. You can watch either here on LinkedIn, or on Doug’s YouTube channel.

Next one - LinkedIn Live segment with Jeff Pulver. We were both at Enterprise Connect, but our paths didn’t cross, so we compared notes. Also, we looked at the bigger picture as to where AI is going, and parallels to what we both see now between this revolution and with VoIP 20 years ago, where Jeff played a central role in making Internet communications real.

Last, but not least - our BCStrategies roundup. As always, a great mix of analysts and consultants from our circle, so it’s a different dynamic from the 1:1 format of my interviews with Doug and Jeff. This was also done on LinkedIn Live, and as with all of these, I hope you check it out.

Enterprise Connect 2024 - Photos and News Items

The buzz from last week’s Enterprise Connect is still going strong, and there’s lots to share. Time is short, however, and I can only manage recaps as time allows.

In terms of what’s already been done, I posted several photos and updates on LinkedIn during the event, and included some photos in my April newsletter, which subscribers will get today.

Speaking of what’s coming this week, the April edition of my Watch This Space podcast is coming, and the entire episode is about Enterprise Connect. I really hope you check that out, and if you’re not familiar with my podcast, we’re in Season 7 now, and you can check out the episodes here.

During the event, I also recorded some audio and video segments with various folks, but so far only one has surfaced, and it was also shared in my April newsletter.

This week, I’ll be contributing to two different video recaps of the show along with other analysts, and those should publish by end of the week. I’m also writing up my own recap for a publisher, and that should run early next week. As these various updates are published, I’ll share them on my website and LinkedIn, and will include a link to this post as well.

With all of this commentary about Enterprise Connect either out there or soon coming, I don’t have any analysis to add here. Instead, I’ll share two things you may not have seen elsewhere - a summary of notable announcements and press releases from the show, and a photo gallery - mostly mine - but from a few others as well.

Notable announcements and press releases (alpha order by vendor name):

Avaya announces strategic partnership with Zoom - integrating Zoom Workplace with Aura and Avaya Enterprise Cloud

Cisco launches new devices for hybrid work - a collaboration board and a line of IP phones

Five9 announces GenAI Studio - allows contact centers to customize their own Generative AI applications

Intermedia launches Intermedia Healthcare Solutions - AI-driven collaboration platform specifically for that vertical

NICE announces Enlighten XM and next iteration of Enlighten Copilot

RingCentral announces RingEX - replacing MVP

Talkdesk announces Ascend Connect - AI-based solution for premises-based contact centers

Vonage enhances conversational commerce capabilities - using Generative AI to make customer interactions more personalized and customizable

Zoom launches Workplace - an AI-centric collaboration platform

Now let’s shift from text to images - here are some takeaway photos from Enterprise Connect:

Very photogenic blocky logo, Cisco’s Javed Khan, RingCentral’s Kira Makagon

Dave Michels and his annual Innovation Showcase, my annual state of speech tech and AI in the enterprise session, with speakers from Cognigy, Sprinklr and RingCentral

Amir Hameed at the RingCentral booth, Zeus Kerravala and his networking session, Kevin Kieller (wearing his BCStrategies hat) with a deep dive on MSFT Copilot

Wearing my SCTC hat along with Fran Blackburn at the SCTC booth, at the Cisco booth doing a cool demo for automating my double espresso order using CPaaS - thanks Courtenay Godshall and Darryl Da Silva (and Zack Taylor facing away!), with David Danto and friends

With Liam Dunne at the Klearcom booth (thanks for the Irish cap!), with Gidi Adlersberg at AudioCodes, and with Fred Hussey from Aizan and Niklas Heuveldop - Vonage CEO

The dynamic duo from NICE - Chris Irwin-Dudek and Schevone Johnson, with Zeus Kerravala, and Dan Miller by the EC sign at the atrium

And, just for fun - S’mores martini, 30 year-old Highland Park scotch, enjoying the scotch looking out at the Gaylord atrium - all in a day’s work!

March Writing Roundup

Only three posts ran publicly last month - with my byline - but I also completed a few others that won’t publish until April.

Key to CX Success: Maintain a Personal Touch, Aizan blog, March 25

February Conferences Roundup - 8x8, RingCentral and Cognigy, BCStrategies, March 20

Enterprise Connect Preview: the State of Enterprise Speech Tech, No Jitter, March 11

Next Stop - Enterprise Connect, Orlando, FL

It’s that time again - Enterprise Connect - the biggest industry event in the communications tech space, and I’ll be flying to Orlando on Sunday. As usual, it will be constant motion, but time well-spent. My calendar is plenty full, but if you’d like to connect, please drop me a line - if not at the show, after for sure.

I’ll be most visible on Thursday, where I’m leading my annual speech tech update session at 9am, and then as a panelist on a 10am session. For more detail on each, links are here and here from earlier posts on my blog.

February Conferences Review - 8x8, RingCentral and Cognigy

Time is zooming by ahead of Enterprise Connect next week, and expediency is the operative word for getting things done. Normally, I would write standalone reviews for each event I attend, but there were too many last month, so I’ve consolidated the last few into into one writeup. I’d much rather give each vendor its due with longer, separate writeups, but the time crunch is just too great with the biggest event of the year on the horizon. Ugh.

On the brighter side, well, I did manage to get a writeup done for the most recent events, and that catches me - and you - up on my latest run of event travel. That’s the preamble, and I’ll now steer you to BCStrategies, where the review has been posted. Starting with the most recent event last month, my writeup starts with the 8x8 analyst summit, followed by RingCentral’s analyst summit, and then Cognigy’s Experience Summit, which marked my first visit to Germany.

February sure was a busy time, and prior to these three, I had two other events that month - including one of my own - and if you missed those, you can read about them here and here.

Preview for my Enterprise Connect Session - on No Jitter

Enterprise Connect is just two weeks away, and it’s always a crush to get everything in while there. So many people to meet, so many sessions to see, but always so little time. The main activity for me is my annual session on the state of speech tech in the enterprise, and I hope you can carve out a bit of time to see it - Thursday at 9am, Room Sun C.

To help support the session, I wrote a preview article about what we’ll be talking about, and it’s running now on No Jitter. I’ll be joined by speakers from RingCentral, Cognigy and Sprinklr; for more detail, here’s the article, and here’s an earlier blog post with some backstory, along with a discount code to save $400 on your registration.

New Month - Time for New Newsletter and Watch This Space Episode

Last month, I had ongoing travel to industry events every week, so I have lots to write and talk about. During February, I got to wear quite a few hats, and if you want to know what that looks like, you should check out the latest editions of JAA’s Communications and Collaboration Review, and my Watch This Space podcast, now in its 7th season.

If you’re not a subscriber, signing up to my newsletter is easy - JAA’s Communications and Collaboration Review - the signup page is here.

For my Watch This Space podcast, you can subscribe on all the major platforms, or listen to any episode directly here on my website, or here on the dedicated WTS website. The title in the thumb below tells you what we had on tap for March, and here’s the link if you want jump in right now.