UC Today - Out Loud

With a wave of retirements about to hit workforces, companies have to be prepared to keep avenues open for experienced workers who want to adapt to AI, and to teach junior workers so they can still learn the core skills that AI now performs.Key takeaways include:The day-to-day challenges this shift will bringWhat kinds of responses can HR leaders experiment with to protect and grow expertise amid rising retirements and AI reshaping on-the-job learning?What expertise will look like in an AI-enabled workplaceHow to frame the skills and expertise issue so people in the boardroom take action.Subscribe to the UC Today channel for more interviews with HR experts on trends shaping the future of work.

Join Kieran Devlin from UC Today as he sits down with Chris Stapenhurst, Director of Product Management at Arctera. If you are navigating the complexities of modern compliance and data governance, this conversation highlights exactly why the "build it yourself" model is becoming obsolete.As data volumes explode and regulations tighten ahead of 2027, the traditional on-premise data center is struggling to keep up. Chris Stapenhurst explains that AI is incredibly power-hungry - noting that large tech companies are even purchasing nuclear power stations to fuel data centers - and most firms simply cannot manage that level of hardware overhead on their own.In this insightful discussion, Kieran and Chris break down the critical role of elasticity in the AI era. They discuss why "building for tomorrow" often leads to wasted budget on unused capacity, and how SaaS models offer a smarter alternative.Key discussion points include:The Power of Elasticity: Understanding how cloud infrastructure allows organizations to "burst" up resources to meet immediate AI processing demands and shrink back down instantly, ensuring you only pay for what you use.Data Governance & Hygiene: How Arctera aggregates and normalizes content from disparate sources (whether on-prem or cloud) to create the clean, accessible data foundation required for accurate AI insights.Agility Through SaaS: The compliance advantage of a SaaS model, which delivers seamless quarterly updates to address new regulations without the costly downtime and IT resource drain associated with upgrading on-premise systems.Next Steps:Are your infrastructure and compliance strategies ready for the next wave of AI regulations? Visit the Arctera website to learn more about their cloud-native solutions.

AI is no longer experimental. From Microsoft Copilot to Zoom AI Companion, AI is now embedded across enterprise collaboration platforms - and leaders are under pressure to deploy it at scale.But here's the challenge: the pace of innovation is outstripping traditional governance models. New behaviors are emerging. AI-to-AI interactions are happening. Shadow AI is spreading. And regulators are watching closely.In this exclusive UC Today interview, Rob Scott sits down with Devin Redmond, CEO of Theta Lake, to unpack what modern AI governance really looks like - and why moving from guardrails to scalable governance is now mission‑critical for CIOs.In this conversation, we explore:Why AI has moved from pilot projects to production pressureThe innovation paradox facing today's CIOsWhy blocking AI often increases enterprise riskWhat real AI governance maturity looks like#How to monitor human‑to‑AI and agent‑to‑agent interactionsWhy regulators are intensifying scrutinyWhat CIOs should demand from their AI vendors

Join our host Kristian McCann and CEO of UC Today Rob Scott as they wrap up the final episode of the Microsoft Teams Show. Alongside Tom Arbuthnot, and our panel of regular guests, Kevin Kieller, Satish Upadhyaya, Amanda Sterner, and Ryan Herbst, the team reflects on seven years of Teams' evolution—from Skype for Business to a hub for AI-driven collaboration.In this final episode, the panel examines Teams' journey, milestones, and the rapidly growing role of AI in workplace collaboration.Key Highlights:Teams Evolution: From Skype for Business to Teams Phone, breakout rooms, and Teams Rooms, the panel discusses how user needs and adoption have shifted over time.AI and Copilot Integration: The team explore how AI agents and Co-pilot are reshaping workflows, knowledge management, and team productivity across enterprises.Competition and Innovation: The show discusses how competitors like Zoom, Slack, and Cisco have influenced Teams' features, adoption, and strategic positioning.Future of Collaboration: Our panel give predictions for voice-driven AI interfaces, immersive meetings, and the next frontier for Teams in a post-pandemic, hybrid workplace world.Next Steps: Stay tuned for upcoming UC Today shows on AI, productivity, and employee experience.

Join host Kieran Devlin from UC Today for this video on The Rise of Digital Sovereignty and What It Means for UC Tech Dominance. He is joined by an all-star panel of industry experts: Jon Arnold (Principal, J. Arnold & Associates), Craig Durr (Chief Analyst), and Dom Black (Director of Research, Cavell Group).In this episode, the panel tackles the "elephant in the room" for 2026: Digital Sovereignty. With France standardizing on state-backed platforms and moving away from US giants like Microsoft and Zoom, are we seeing the end of the global UC monolith? The group also dissects Zoho's latest strategic moves in the SaaS market and provides a temperature check on the device landscape following a record-breaking ISE.Is your enterprise data actually safe, or just "compliant"? This month, we dig deep into the geopolitical shifts forcing IT leaders to rethink their cloud strategies.What is discussed in this episode: Digital Sovereignty Is Escalating Governments are starting to redraw the rules around where data lives and who controls it. Could regulation quietly force enterprises to rethink their entire collaboration stack?Zoho's Quiet Power Play While others chase AI headlines, Zoho is reshaping SaaS economics in a way that could ripple through the entire channel. Is their strategy about to disrupt how software risk and pricing are handled?ISE 2026's Biggest Signal Something fundamental has changed on the show floor. Meeting rooms are evolving fast, and the companies controlling workplace data may end up owning the future of the office.

In this episode of UC Today, host Kristian McCann sits down with Jim Johnstone, CISO at Yorktel-Kinly, to explore the new realities of AV security in the modern enterprise. As AV systems evolve from isolated room setups to deeply integrated network components, the line between facility tech and IT infrastructure is disappearing. But has security thinking kept pace? Johnstone unpacks the transformation of AV systems and why organizations need to elevate their approach from project-based oversight to lifecycle governance.In this in-depth conversation, you'll discover:

Join Kieran Devlin from UC Today as he sits down with William Rubio, Chief Revenue Officer at CallTower, for a comprehensive "Big UC Update." If you are navigating the complex world of Unified Communications or trying to figure out where AI actually fits into your business strategy, this conversation sets the stage for what's working in 2026.In this candid session, Kieran and William explore the "colossal" year CallTower has had and what lies ahead. They move beyond the standard corporate pitch to discuss the "CallTower Dedicated" culture and the specific technologies that are solving real-world headaches for international businesses today.William breaks down CallTower's philosophy of "enabling people to connect," highlighting their agnostic approach to the big three - Microsoft, Cisco, and Zoom. The discussion gets specific on new innovations that are changing how employees communicate, shifting from general connectivity to seamless mobile integration. Key discussion points include:The "Dot Dot Dot" Ecosystem: How CallTower integrates over 30 applications - including CCaaS leaders like Genesys and Five9 - to create a turnkey solution that works identically in Germany, Brazil, or Canada.Product Innovation: A look at their game-changing WhatsApp integration for Microsoft Teams and the Dual eSIM technology that allows seamless, compliant separation of business and personal calls on a single mobile device.The AI Reality Check: William discusses the pressure boards are putting on CIOs to "implement AI," and how CallTower is helping clients take a practical, "build the house before the city" approach to avoid failed, massive projects.Market Outlook: Predictions on the inevitable consolidation of AI startups and the critical need for vendors to fill the education void for end-users.Connect with CallTower:Visit CallTower's website to learn more about their global coverage and "Connect" provisioning platform.

In this UC Today interview, host Kristian McCann sits down with Kath Fidler, HR Consultant at FlexHR, to explore how different generations are embracing — or hesitating about — AI in the workplace. Fidler unpacks the generational trends shaping how employees interact with AI, the fears that fuel resistance, and the leadership strategies that can turn hesitation into curiosity.In this video, you'll learn:

In this UC Today interview, host Kristian McCann sits down with Kath Fidler, HR Consultant at FlexHR, to explore how different generations are embracing — or hesitating about — AI in the workplace. Fidler unpacks the generational trends shaping how employees interact with AI, the fears that fuel resistance, and the leadership strategies that can turn hesitation into curiosity.In this video, you'll learn:

Christopher Carey sits down with Oliver Woehler, XR Sales Lead EMEA at Lenovo, and Laura Keresztyén, Sales Associate at Arthur, to unpack what's changed — and why the timing suddenly feels different. ISE 2026 was packed with partners and customers swarming the demos, and Lenovo is using the show to put a spotlight on a new global partnership that's designed to make enterprise XR easier to buy, easier to deploy, and easier to justify.But the real hook is what they're building on top.Because nobody is buying headsets “because headsets.” The question buyers keep asking is the same one we heard across ISE this year: what's the use case, what's the value, and how fast can we prove it?Oliver and Laura lean into that tension, and then take the conversation somewhere more interesting — where immersive collaboration stops being a novelty and starts becoming a productivity lever.Laura shares how Arthur is bringing people and AI into the same virtual workspace, and why the last two years have created what she calls a perfect match between AI and VR. The AI isn't just a chatbot on the side; it's showing up as an active participant in the room — shaping agendas, keeping teams on track, organizing ideas, and pushing meetings toward actual next steps.Then the discussion widens to the “where the ROI lives” territory: training and digital twins. They tease why training is often the quickest win, how personalization changes when AI is in the mix, and why digital twins get far more powerful when you can bring people inside them to walk, annotate, brainstorm, and even interact with complex systems in ways 2D screens can't match.If you're still on the fence about XR at work, this is the interview that will make you rethink what “ready to scale” looks like in 2026.Catch the full video — before your competitors do.

Kristian McCann speaks with Avi Pardo, Co-founder and CBO at LeapXpert, to unpack why messaging governance has become one of the most urgent issues in public sector UC.Consumer messaging tools weren't built for compliance — but that hasn't stopped government employees from using them every day. In this video, Avi Pardo explains why now is the time for IT and UC leaders to get ahead of the governance gap.Key discussion points:Why messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal have become the public sector's biggest governance blind spot — and how it happened.The critical role of compliant communication under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the risks of leaving messages unrecorded.Common architectural mistakes UC and IT leaders make when trying to block or control consumer messaging.How Microsoft Teams integrations can bridge the gap between consumer convenience and enterprise-grade compliance.Why modern governance technology can now deliver control without adding friction for employees or external parties.Next steps:To learn more about regulated messaging in government and enterprise environments, visit LeapXpert website for details on compliant messaging solutions.

Join Kristian McCann from UC Today and Kevin Kieller from Enable UC as they kick off February 2026 with an in-depth look at Microsoft Teams' latest security enhancements and market momentum. Special guest Oleg Danyliuk, CEO of Duanex, shares his company's five-year journey dual-licensing Slack and Teams—and why Teams is finally winning him over.This month's topics:

In this episode of UC Today, host Kristian McCann sits down with Jim Johnstone, CISO at Yorktel-Kinly, to explore the new realities of AV security in the modern enterprise. As AV systems evolve from isolated room setups to deeply integrated network components, the line between facility tech and IT infrastructure is disappearing. But has security thinking kept pace? Johnstone unpacks the transformation of AV systems and why organizations need to elevate their approach from project-based oversight to lifecycle governance.In this in-depth conversation, you'll discover:

In this insightful talk, UC Today's Kristian McCann sits down with Roberta Terranova, Chief People Officer at Wildix, to discuss the trends HR leaders have to contend with in the coming year. From AI adoption and workflow optimization to data-driven culture and remote leadership, Terranova shares real-world lessons on navigating the intersection of people, process, and technology as AI redefines the workplace. Key discussion highlights include:

In this UC Today interview, host Kristian McCann sits down with Mick Heys, Vice President at IDC, and Nathan Budd, Senior Director of Consulting at IDC, to explore the IDC's latest research in collaboration with Shure that tangibly links collaboration effectiveness to productivity and ROI from tech investments.Together, they unpack how organizations can move beyond simply buying technology to understanding its measurable business impact. If you're looking to sharpen your collaboration strategy, quantify productivity, and avoid the hidden cost of inaction, this discussion is one to watch.As hybrid work matures, IDC's research shows that collaboration is no longer a soft skill — it's a strategic differentiator. But many organizations still fail to connect technology investments with real business outcomes. In this conversation, Mick and Nathan explain how businesses can unlock measurable ROI from AV and UC strategies while making AI investments work smarter, not harder.Here's what you'll learn:The cost of inaction: Why failing to optimize AV and collaboration tech quietly drains budgets — and how to quantify it.Collaboration archetypes: Discover IDC's four organizational models — Electronic, Orchestral, Jazz, and Rock — and what they reveal about your collaboration approach.The AI connection: How poor AV setups undermine AI accuracy and productivity, and what to do about it.Outcome-based frameworks: Learn how to align people, processes, and technology to measure success where it matters most.Explore how your organization's collaboration archetype and collaboration setup impact your productivity and ROI by reading IDC and Shure's report.

In this UC Today interview, host Kristian McCann sits down with Reid Walsh, Chief Human Resources Officer at NEOGOV, to explore how HR teams — especially in the public sector — can shift from data collection to data‑driven problem‑solving. Reid shares practical lessons from her experience modernizing people analytics in government and private organizations, revealing how HR can evolve from reactive to strategic by applying purposeful analysis to every stage of the employee journey.Key takeaways include:

In this UC Today interview, host Kristian McCann sits down with Sabra Sciolaro, Chief People Officer at FirstUp, to unpack the growing problem of tech fatigue in modern workplaces.Technology is meant to make work easier — but for many employees, it's doing the opposite. In this conversation, Sciolaro explains how constant platform changes, tool sprawl, and fragmented communication channels are creating attention fatigue, slowing execution, and draining momentum across organizations.Key takeaways include:

In this UC Today interview, host Kristian McCann sits down with Sabra Sciolaro, Chief People Officer at FirstUp, to unpack the growing problem of tech fatigue in modern workplaces.Technology is meant to make work easier — but for many employees, it's doing the opposite. In this conversation, Sciolaro explains how constant platform changes, tool sprawl, and fragmented communication channels are creating attention fatigue, slowing execution, and draining momentum across organizations.Key takeaways include:

In this UC Today interview, host Kristian McCann sits down with Sabra Sciolaro, Chief People Officer at FirstUp, to unpack the growing problem of tech fatigue in modern workplaces.Technology is meant to make work easier — but for many employees, it's doing the opposite. In this conversation, Sciolaro explains how constant platform changes, tool sprawl, and fragmented communication channels are creating attention fatigue, slowing execution, and draining momentum across organizations.Key takeaways include:

In this January 2026 edition of the UC Big News Show, Kieran Devlin (Host, UC Today) sits down with a sharp panel: Blair Pleasant, Craig Durr (The Collab Collective), Jon Arnold (J. Arnold & Associates) and Dom Black (Cavell). Together, they unpack where Unified Communications, collaboration, and workplace AI are really headed—cutting through hype to ask the questions IT buyers and business leaders actually care about: Where's the value, who's getting it, and what needs to change for 2026 to be the year pilots turn into outcomes?AI is everywhere—but the results aren't. The panel reacts to sobering CEO sentiment on AI value, digs into why trust, training, and culture keep getting overlooked, and debates whether Zoom's AI Companion benchmark moment signals a real shift toward orchestration and multi-model strategies. Then the conversation turns to a hot industry reality: with budgets tight and vendors building their own roadshows, are independent events like Enterprise Connect evolving—or sliding toward irrelevance?In this episode, we cover:Why the “AI value gap” is widening—and why revenue growth deserves as much attention as cost cuttingThe overlooked blockers: responsible AI processes, transparency, user adoption, and prompting skillsWhat Zoom's federated, multimodal approach suggests about the future: orchestration, connectors, and “best model for the job”The 2026 events debate: why ISE is booming, why software shows must reinvent themselves, and why vertical-specific events may winNext steps:Audit where AI is actually used in your org (including shadow AI) and map it to measurable outcomesPublish and socialize a responsible AI policy employees can understand and trustIf you're attending ISE / IT Expo / CCW Berlin / Enterprise Connect, drop a comment with where you'll be—UC Today's team would love to connect

 After recent job cuts, many are asking if the metaverse dream is over. In this UC Today interview, Christopher Carey sits down with technology evangelist Kevin O'Donovan to unpack the rise, fall, and future of the Metaverse.Discover:

Join Kristian McCann, host at UC Today, as he sits down with Chris Reed, Head of Product and Technology at Wordwatch, to discuss how phased, risk-free data migration protects compliance and unlocks operational value.Communication data migration in regulated financial sectors is often seen as risky and resource-intensive, and Reed dives deep into why legacy data formats, metadata preservation, and regulatory compliance make migrations daunting. Reed explains how approaches like Wordwatch's, with a phased, controlled approach, mitigates the fear and the risk by ensuring zero modification to original records, maintaining their integrity and audit trails throughout. Key points include:The paramount risk of data loss or corruption during migration, especially preserving metadata such as retention and legal holds, which is crucial for compliance with regulators like FINRA and FCA.Common pitfalls financial institutions face, including budget constraints and the complexity of handling legacy codecs that modern systems struggle to support.Wordwatch's solution: migrating metadata first, preserving original call recordings unchanged, and providing continuous validation to guarantee the completeness and authenticity of data.The benefits of consolidating legacy and live data into a single, secure archive, enabling rapid searches, easing regulatory response times, breaking vendor lock-in, and unlocking insights from communication data.Explore how Wordwatch's phased migration strategy can be tailored to your organization's legacy systems by visiting https://wordwatch.io/.

Kristian McCann of UC Today talks to Chris Reed, Head of Product and Technology at Wordwatch, to explore how financial and regulated firms can transform their communication governance from a mere compliance task into a powerful source of business intelligence. This video dives deep into how companies can convert compliance data into actionable insights rather than viewing it as a checklist obligation. Key discussion points include:How legacy compliance systems create silos that limit insight and operational efficiency.The AI-driven opportunities unlocked by making communication data fully searchable.The strategic benefits of a single unified archive for compliance, technical, and client management teams.Real measurable improvements in compliance effectiveness, risk management, and customer satisfaction driven by turning communication data into a single trusted source of truth.If you want to discover how to unlock the hidden intelligence in your data and future-proof your compliance and risk strategy with AI-powered governance, visit https://wordwatch.io/.

In this episode of UC Today, host Christopher Carey sits down with Tim Ward, Product Marketing Specialist at Global Relay, and Irwin Lazar, President and Principal Analyst at Metrigy, to unpack the findings of Metrigy's latest report on the rapidly expanding compliance risks across unified communications.With enterprises adopting Teams, WhatsApp, SMS, AI assistants, and more, the discussion digs into why compliance can no longer lag behind innovation – and how leaders can avoid costly missteps that impact productivity, security, and regulatory accountability.Unified communications is evolving faster than most compliance frameworks can keep up – and the consequences are real. In this candid conversation, Tim and Irwin reveal where organizations are slipping, how AI-generated content complicates record-keeping, and why blocking apps often backfires. They share first-hand examples of multimillion-dollar fines, the hidden risks of employee workarounds, and the operational insights companies can unlock when they treat compliance data as a strategic asset rather than a burden.

Join Kieran Devlin, UC Today host, in conversation with Bill Dellara, Chief Product Officer at VOSS, as they explore the emerging concept of digital workplace automation fabric and its transformative impact on enterprise IT operations. In this insightful discussion, Bill shares how organizations like BT, Telefonica, and Lloyds Banking Group are breaking free from manual, script-based processes that have historically plagued UC and collaboration management.Bill Dellara explains why this domain has remained stubbornly resistant to automation—despite widespread success in other IT areas—and how specialized platforms are finally bridging the gap between automation expectations and reality.Key Discussion Points:The Complexity Challenge: Learn why traditional automation approaches fail in UC environments, where even simple user onboarding can involve 30+ API calls, 3,500+ voice settings, and coordination across siloed teams managing voice, messaging, and meeting rooms separately.Four Pillars Integration: Discover how connecting automation, monitoring, analytics, and AI as unified pillars—rather than separate tools—enables closed-loop self-healing scenarios that can automatically detect issues, adjust configurations, and escalate when needed without human intervention.Real-World Transformation: Hear how a major enterprise reduced user onboarding from 5-10 days to under one hour while dramatically improving new user experience and eliminating configuration errors—all through integrating ServiceNow with VOSS's orchestrated workflows.Next Steps: Assess your current automation maturity by mapping how many business processes truly integrate your UC and collaboration platforms versus relying on manual ticket handoffs. Evaluate whether your approach can scale to support strategic business agility or remains limited to tactical efficiency improvements within the UC domain.

Kristian McCann sits down with John Ringis, Director of Physical Security, and Salik Makda, Director of Network Engineering at New Era Technologies, to unpack one of today's most urgent workplace challenges: how to bring employees back to the office—and keep them there.With hybrid work now the norm, John and Salik break down why workplace readiness matters more than ever, what “good” looks like, and how organizations can rebuild trust in the physical office through safer environments, smarter technology, and seamless user experiences.What does it take to create an office employees want to return to? In this conversation, New Era Technologies' experts explore the intersection of physical security, network performance, and space optimization—and how each contributes to productivity, satisfaction, and long-term RTO success.Key discussion points include:Workplace readiness defined: Why safety, reliable technology, and cultural clarity form the “three pillars” of a successful return-to-office strategy.Room, network, and space readiness: How everything from wireless density to huddle-room availability impacts daily employee experience.Hybrid challenges: The gap between modern at-home technology and outdated in-office infrastructure—and why network readiness is now non-negotiable.Best practices for scaling RTO: Standardizing security across locations, adopting mobile credentials, and using analytics to guide space planning.If you're planning or refining your RTO strategy:Conduct a full workplace and technology assessment.Evaluate your network's readiness for high-density, cloud-first collaboration.Explore modern physical security tools, especially mobile credentials and cloud-managed systems.Visit New Era Technologies to see how their solutions can make your RTO strategy a success

In this session, UC Today's Kieran Devlin sits down with Kalyan Kumar (KK), Chief Product Officer at HCL Software, to diagnose a critical issue facing the Global 2000: the inability to move AI from the lab to the real world. With so many firms stuck running endless experiments without delivering hard business outcomes, this conversation offers the architectural blueprint needed to break through the deadlock. KK shares why the secret to AI success isn't actually about the AI itself—it's about how you manage the data that feeds it.Everyone is rushing to roll out AI, but few are seeing the productivity gains promised. Why? According to KK, it's not an AI problem—it's a data problem. The enterprise landscape is a "tangled web" of disparate applications, and without a data-first operating model, deploying autonomous agents often results in simply making bad decisions faster.In this deep dive, we explore why modernization doesn't mean ripping out "classic" systems like mainframes, but rather building an orchestration layer that connects them to new intelligence. KK explains why the future isn't just about picking an LLM, but about mastering metadata and preparing for a multi-agent world where governance is non-negotiable.Key discussion points:The Data-First Imperative: Why you must untether data from applications and master metadata before AI can succeed—treating your enterprise like a well-organized library rather than a chaotic storage room.Solving the Integration Paradox: How to bridge modern AI agents with "classic" core systems (ERPs, Mainframes) using universal orchestration rather than forcing a total rip-and-replace modernization.Governance in a Multi-Agent World: Preparing for the rise of Agent-to-Agent (A2A) communication and the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to prevent autonomous agents from creating conflict.

Kristian McCann sits down with Ryan Zoehner, CEO at Algo Communication Products, and Ariel Posvolsky, Director of Customer Success Engineering at Algo, to unpack how manufacturers can finally bring their industrial floors into the unified communications era.Modern factories run 24/7, but many still rely on paging systems installed before the internet existed. In this conversation, Ryan and Ariel explain how to turn fragmented radios, DECT phones, sirens, and legacy amps into a cohesive, UC-driven communication fabric that reaches every noisy corner of an industrial site.​Key talking points include:Why industrial UC is often an afterthought – and how that fragmentation creates daily communication, safety, and alerting risks on the plant floor.How Algo's SIP- and multicast-enabled IP speakers, visual alerters, and paging adapters bridge legacy analog systems into platforms like Cisco, Microsoft Teams, and RingCentral.​Practical ways to meet OSHA and ADA expectations using a mix of clear audible paging, strobes, and IP displays for inclusive messaging in 80+ dB environments.What a phased migration looks like in the real world, using “Lego block” IP endpoints to protect existing investments while moving toward a full IP architecture.Visit Algo to see how you can make your manufacturing workplace secure for now and the future.

In this UC Today session, host Kieran Devlin speaks with Will Morey, Managing Director of Channel at Gamma, about one of the most urgent challenges facing partners and end customers today: operational complexity. With organisations juggling fragmented UC, CC, and connectivity stacks, Will explains why consolidation isn't just a commercial preference—it's becoming a competitive necessity. This conversation digs beneath the surface of Gamma's “one vendor, one network, one solution” promise to reveal the invisible value partners gain when everything is unified on a single, secure network.When partners stitch together multiple suppliers, they don't just inherit logistical friction—they inherit hidden risk. In this deep-dive, Will Morey lays out the real-world impact of consolidation, how Gamma's network-first model enables stability at scale, and why actionable data is becoming the next major differentiator for channel partners.Key discussion points include:

In this UC Today interview, host Kieran Devlin speaks with John Christian, Vice President of Marketing at Akixi, about the urgent CX demands reshaping the telecom and IT landscape—and how Akixi is helping service providers meet them. With a rich background at Metaswitch and Microsoft, John offers a frontline view of how Teams Phone migrations are creating massive expectations around insights and experience. Tune in to learn how Akixi's packaged analytics, CRM integrations, and call recording tools help service providers not just survive—but lead—in this evolving space.As businesses shift from legacy platforms to cloud-first solutions like Microsoft Teams Phone, delivering exceptional customer experience is now mission-critical. In this exclusive UC Today session, Akixi's John Christian breaks down the new expectations placed on service providers—and how Akixi is equipping them to thrive.

Kristian McCann sits down with Ryan Zoehner, CEO at Algo Communication Products, and Ariel Posvolsky, Director of Customer Success Engineering at Algo, to unpack how manufacturers can finally bring their industrial floors into the unified communications era.Modern factories run 24/7, but many still rely on paging systems installed before the internet existed. In this conversation, Ryan and Ariel explain how to turn fragmented radios, DECT phones, sirens, and legacy amps into a cohesive, UC-driven communication fabric that reaches every noisy corner of an industrial site.​Key talking points include:Why industrial UC is often an afterthought – and how that fragmentation creates daily communication, safety, and alerting risks on the plant floor.How Algo's SIP- and multicast-enabled IP speakers, visual alerters, and paging adapters bridge legacy analog systems into platforms like Cisco, Microsoft Teams, and RingCentral.​Practical ways to meet OSHA and ADA expectations using a mix of clear audible paging, strobes, and IP displays for inclusive messaging in 80+ dB environments.What a phased migration looks like in the real world, using “Lego block” IP endpoints to protect existing investments while moving toward a full IP architecture.Visit Algo to see how you can make your manufacturing workplace secure for now and the future.

In this eye-opening interview, Rob Scott of UC Today is joined by Stacey English, Director of Regulatory Intelligence at Theta Lake, to explore what's becoming one of the biggest emerging risks in financial services: AI governance failure.Theta Lake's recent research, based on insights from 500 financial institutions, shows a concerning paradox: while AI promises massive productivity gains, most firms are flying blind when it comes to monitoring AI-generated communications, making them vulnerable to compliance breaches, data leakage, and regulatory scrutiny.Stacey brings her former-regulator perspective to discuss what firms are getting wrong, how "AI comms" are redefining risk, and why unmonitored employee-AI interactions are a ticking time bomb.Key Takeaways from the Conversation:The rise of “AI comms”: New categories of interaction demand new compliance strategies.The visibility crisis: 67% of firms admit their staff are likely using unmonitored channels.Tech fragmentation: The average firm uses 3+ vendors—creating data silos and record-keeping chaos.What real AI governance looks like: From ISO 42001 certification to unified oversight across modalities.Whether you're a CIO, compliance officer, or simply navigating AI adoption in a regulated space, this discussion highlights how to move beyond foundational guardrails to true governance.Next Steps:Ready to take control of your AI communications? Visit thetalake.com for guidance on your compliance journey

Is your enterprise struggling with E911 compliance across multiple UC platforms?

Join UC Today's Kristian McCann as he talks with Joe Gillis, Senior Vice President of Sales and GVC & Strategic Growth about New Era Technology and their solutions and market insights. In this comprehensive interview, Gillis shares his thoughts on the power of partnerships, the evolving world of AI, and how New Era is tackling the challenges of delivering seamless service on a global scale. If you're interested in understanding how a leading systems integrator helps companies stays agile and future-ready, then tune in to hear the following:- Learn how New Era grew into a 4,500-employee powerhouse spanning 180+ countries and seamlessly integrates acquisitions into its strategy.- How AI is being incorporated into customer solutions, making workflows faster, more insightful, and more cost-effective.- The differences in New Era's mid-market vs. enterprise offerings and the tailored support that large-scale companies demand.- How the company fosters a transparent, collaborative culture that embraces feedback and continuous adaptation to stay competitive.Discover how New Era can help your business manage its service and reach a new level of excellence: https://www.neweratech.com/uk/

Join UC Today's Kristian McCann as he sits down with Quang Le, Product Manager at Kurmi, to explore the evolving challenges and innovative solutions in managing agent life cycles within contact centers. With organizations facing increasing complexity from seasonal spikes, platform fragmentation, and the demands of distributed teams, the realities of managing agent onboarding, offboarding, and ongoing administration in today's fast-paced contact center environments are increasingly complex. Quang Le shares how Kurmi's centralized, automated approach - highlighted through its Genesys integration - helps organizations reduce errors, improve compliance, and stay agile during peak seasons.Key discussion points include:

As hybrid work becomes the norm, enterprises face new challenges around collaboration, platform integration, and user experience. In this exclusive interview, Tata Communications' Vivek Kar explores what it takes to build flexible, secure, and scalable communication environments that support diverse user needs.Key discussion points include:Why multi-platform UC support is now a business-critical capability – from mergers to legacy systems, find out what's driving platform diversity.The role of user self-service in scaling communications globally – discover how decentralization empowers IT and improves adoption.Balancing vendor consolidation with best-of-breed agility – Vivek breaks down the real-world trade-offs.The future of managed services in UC – beyond basic support, into orchestration, AI-driven insights, and unified governance.Packed with expert insights, real-world examples, and a vision for what's next, this episode is a must-watch for IT leaders, CIOs, and enterprise collaboration professionals.

In this jam-packed episode of UC Big News, host Kieran Devlin is joined by expert analysts Jon Arnold, Melody Brue, Craig Durr, and Zeus Kerravala for a whirlwind tour of the latest from the unified communications world. The team unpacks Mitel's return from bankruptcy, gets hands-on with Google Beam's volumetric video marvel, and decodes Cisco's new enterprise-focused vision for Webex, fresh from Cisco Live 2025. Whether you're a tech leader, vendor watcher, or just UC-curious, this is the episode to watch.

Kieran Devlin sits down with Bill Dellara, Chief Product Officer at VOSS, to unpack one of the biggest shifts happening in enterprise communications: the convergence of unified communications (UC) and contact center (CC). As organizations chase better experiences, lower costs, and smarter operations, we reveal how aligning UC and CC can unlock powerful outcomes for both customers and employees.With decades of experience at the heart of UC transformation, Bill Dellara shares practical insights into why the UC+CC revolution is no longer optional—and how VOSS is uniquely positioned to lead the charge. From overcoming the fear of change to deploying AI-powered experiences, this session is rich in strategy and real-world takeaways.

Join host Kristian McCann and Ari Applbaum, VP of Marketing at LeapXpert, as they dive deep into the evolving security landscape of enterprise messaging. With messaging apps like WhatsApp, WeChat, and iMessage now integral to daily business communications, understanding the risks and solutions is more critical than ever. This insightful conversation unpacks why every business leader, IT professional, and compliance officer should pay attention to the hidden vulnerabilities in off-channel messaging.In this revealing interview, Applbaum explains why messaging has become the new frontline for cyber threats and how most businesses can bring compliance through unification of their communications. The discussion covers:The primary security risks when employees use consumer messaging apps for business, including phishing, malware, and data leakage.How hackers exploit gaps in governance and the dangers of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) culture.Common misconceptions about end-to-end encryption, device management, and compliance with disappearing messages.The severe legal, compliance, and reputational consequences of failing to secure messaging channels.Discover the solutions available for building a secure, compliant messaging ecosystem by visiting LeapXpert's website: https://www.leapxpert.com/

As the lines blur between workplace design, employee experience, and collaboration technology, AV is stepping out of the shadows and into the spotlight. In this expert-led discussion, UC Today's Kieran Devlin is joined by Brad Hintze, VP of Global Marketing at Crestron, to explore why enterprise AV is no longer just about cables and cameras—it's now a foundational layer of modern workplace strategy.In this insightful interview, Brad Hintze shares how AV is transforming from a background support tool into a strategic enabler of hybrid collaboration, culture, and business continuity. As enterprises invest in smarter, more scalable meeting spaces, the conversation turns to the real forces shaping AV in 2025: rising user expectations, seamless AI-powered experiences, and the growing need for infrastructure that can evolve over time.Brad and Kieran discuss:Why AV now sits at the heart of workplace design and digital employee experienceThe importance of building integrated, scalable ecosystems for consistent, invisible AVHow Crestron's One Beyond 2.0 firmware update brings broadcast-level video intelligence to meeting roomsThe role of automation, smart spaces, and high-quality AV in enabling AI features like Copilot and Zoom AIWhy enterprises must treat AV as long-term infrastructure—not a short-term fixIf you're an IT or AV leader shaping hybrid work strategies, this video is packed with practical insight and forward-looking perspectives. Watch now to learn how Crestron is helping organisations unlock the full potential of their spaces through smarter AV.

In this UC Today interview, Christopher Kerry sits down with Steve Forham, Marketing & Channel Chief at Cypio, to unpack the latest in Unified Communications — from Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Cisco Webex, to AI-driven innovation transforming the hybrid workplace.

How Theta Lake is Redefining AI Governance for Enterprise Collaboration PlatformsWhat does it really take to balance cutting-edge AI with the hard rules of compliance? In this exclusive interview, Rob Scott from UC Today sits down with Dan Nadir, Chief Product Officer at Theta Lake, to explore how AI is transforming enterprise communications—and why compliance can no longer be an afterthought.Dan shares his unique journey from cognitive science graduate to CPO, diving deep into the evolution of AI governance and the real-world challenges facing regulated industries. With Theta Lake recognized as a Visionary in Gartner's Magic Quadrant, this isn't just a story about product innovation—it's a masterclass in how to enable AI safely and responsibly.Whether you're trying to launch Copilot, Zoom AI Companion, or simply ensure your whiteboards, chat, and UC tools are compliant, this conversation is packed with hard-won insights from the frontlines of product development.

Hybrid communications aren't just about keeping up, they're about staying ahead. In today's world of rising costs, tighter regulations, and the pressure to modernize without disruption, many organizations face a critical question: How do we evolve our communications systems without losing control or breaking the bank?In this conversation, Mark Duff from Mitel shares practical strategies for transforming legacy systems into smarter, hybrid platforms that drive resilience, security, and productivity.You'll discover:How to modernize without disruption: The smart way to bring AI into existing systems—think virtual agents, workflow automation, and intelligent routing—without the costly rip-and-replace.Why industry-specific matters: Why healthcare, finance, and government organizations need tailored solutions, not one-size-fits-all tools.Security you can trust: What hybrid really means for compliance and risk management in high-stakes sectors.Future-proof collaboration: How partnerships with companies like Zoom enable AI-powered teamwork while safeguarding your infrastructure investments.If you're a business leader, IT decision-maker, or anyone balancing modernization with compliance and cost control, this interview is packed with insights to help you evolve, not revolt—and set your organization up for what's next.Watch now to learn how Mitel is helping organizations like yours move forward with confidence.

In this UC Today interview, host Kieran Devlin speaks with Brad Hintze, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, and Joel Mulpeter, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Crestron, about how meeting room technology is redefining collaboration in the hybrid era. Together, they explore how intelligent AV, AI-driven systems, and thoughtful design can turn meeting spaces into seamless, human-centred environments that enhance company culture and trust.Hybrid work may be here to stay, but creating truly inclusive collaboration experiences remains a challenge for IT and AV leaders. In this lively discussion, Crestron's Brad Hintze and Joel Mulpeter explain how the company is helping organisations bridge that divide — making technology an enabler of culture, not a barrier.Key highlights:

In this UC Today interview, host Kieran Devlin sits down with William Rubio, Chief Revenue Officer at CallTower, to discuss the evolving landscape of Operator Connect and what IT leaders need to know before 2026. Rubio, who has led CallTower's global expansion across 80 countries, offers a front-row view into how enterprises can optimise Microsoft Teams connectivity, integrate AI, and maintain compliance in complex, multi-region deployments. This is a must-watch for IT decision-makers preparing their UC strategy for the next wave of innovation.As Microsoft's Operator Connect ecosystem matures, IT leaders face mounting pressure to modernise telephony, maintain compliance, and prepare for AI-enhanced collaboration. In this insightful discussion, CallTower CRO William Rubio unpacks the evolution of Operator Connect—from its early days to its current enterprise-grade capabilities—and shares expert advice on how to make deployments seamless, measurable, and future-ready.Key talking points:The evolution of Microsoft voice: From Lync to Teams to Operator Connect—how CallTower became one of the first certified providers and what that means for reliability and performance.Beyond basic connectivity: Why managed services, integrations, and AI-driven insights separate leading Operator Connect partners from transactional providers.AI in UC and contact centres: How enterprises can start small, automate efficiently, and achieve real ROI through smart AI adoption.Global compliance and hybrid deployment: Practical advice for navigating multi-region rollouts, data sovereignty, and hybrid PBX-Teams environments.Next steps:Discover how CallTower can help your organisation transition to Operator Connect with confidence.

In this episode of The UC Big News Show, host Kieran Devlin is joined by analysts Zeus Kerravala (ZK Research), Melody Brue (Moor Insights & Strategy), Irwin Lazar (Metrigy), and Craig Durr (The Collab Collective) for a powerhouse discussion on the latest developments across the unified communications and collaboration space. From Cisco's AI ambitions to Microsoft's multi-model pivot, this is your expert guide to the biggest moves in enterprise tech — and what they mean for the future of work.AI is rewriting the rules of collaboration, and this episode explores how the biggest vendors are repositioning for the agentic era. Our panel of industry leaders unpack four major stories reshaping the UC landscape:Cisco at WebexOne 2025: The panel dissects Cisco's “One Cisco” strategy, the rise of AI Canvas, and how tighter integration across networking, security, and collaboration could redefine its platform advantage.Slack's Agentic OS: Dreamforce 2025 unveiled Slack's evolution beyond chat — into a unified, AI-driven workspace that could rival Microsoft's Copilot ecosystem.Microsoft's Claude Integration: What does Anthropic's partnership with Microsoft 365 mean for enterprise AI strategy, model diversity, and security? The experts weigh in.Zoom x Oracle: A new CX partnership signals Zoom's next big move into the contact center world — and raises new questions about multi-cloud resilience after the AWS outage.

With AI integrated into nearly every platform and hybrid work firmly established, it's crucial to cut through the noise and understand what truly drives value.Join Sara Barr, Learning and Development Director at Nuwave Communications, as she puts Rob Scott, Founder and Publisher of UC Today, in the hot seat for an unfiltered “UC Reality Check 2026.” This candid conversation reframes UC not just as a technology purchase, but as a critical driver for employee experience and business outcomes.In this video, you'll discover:AI: The New Vendor Lock-in? Rob Scott shares his insights on how AI can either genuinely enhance your platform or subtly trap you. Learn what questions buyers should be asking vendors about their AI stack and integration.Hybrid Work & Real Collaboration: Why are so many companies still struggling with hybrid work? We dive into what true collaboration looks like beyond endless video calls and where UC platforms should be showing up that they aren't.The Human Element: Explore the critical link between UC adoption, employee experience (EX), and talent retention. Discover why HR and IT collaboration is key for successful rollouts and how bad UC tech can become a “resignation trigger.”2026 Belongs to Smart Channel Partners: Get actionable advice for channel partners on how to differentiate, find new opportunities, and build vendor relationships that drive transformational value, not just transactional sales.The market is shifting from UCaaS to what we're calling UCaaS Plus, where value comes from the services, the AI, the analytics, the workflow integration, not just seats and licenses.Thanks for watching! Let's make 2026 the year we stop talking about UC like it's 2019.

In this episode of UC Today, host Kieran Devlin is joined by Mark Bunnell, Chief Operating Officer and co-founder of NUWAVE, to explore how the company is revolutionizing unified communications (UC) service management. With over 30 years of voice industry experience, Mark shares how NUWAVE's flagship platform, iPilot, simplifies complexity for carriers and service providers in an era dominated by Teams, Zoom, and Webex. If you're wrestling with fragmented UC environments and rising service management demands, this is a must-watch.As the pace of UC evolution accelerates, carriers and partners are under pressure to manage sprawling multi-UC ecosystems efficiently. In this insightful conversation, Mark Bunnell explains how NUWAVE's iPilot is purpose-built to tackle the growing complexity of UC service delivery—streamlining processes, boosting ROI, and eliminating the need for massive dev teams.Here's what you'll learn:Why legacy UC service models can't keep up with the modern multi-platform reality.How iPilot delivers “one pane of glass” simplicity—even across Teams, Zoom, Webex, and SIP environments.The critical role of customer feedback in shaping NUWAVE's agile development cycle.How NUWAVE delivers ROI by giving away features like PBX migration tool Teleport, rather than charging extra.Next Steps:

In this episode of UC Today, host Kieran Devlin sits down with Amit Barave, Vice President of Product Management at Webex by Cisco, to explore how the collaboration giant is securing digital communication in an era of AI-powered threats, distributed teams, and rising compliance demands. From zero trust principles to vertical-specific safeguards, this discussion offers a deep dive into how Webex is redefining trust and usability for enterprises worldwide.How do you secure every click, call, and conversation—without killing collaboration? In this thought-provoking interview, Webex's Amit Barave shares how his team is building security directly into the DNA of the Webex Suite—while ensuring the user experience remains intuitive and frictionless.

In this episode of the Big UC News Show, host David Dungay is joined by co-host Kieran Devlin and a panel of industry thought leaders: Melody Brue, Blair Pleasant, Dom Black, and Zeus Kerravala. Together, they unpack the implications of Microsoft's latest Work Trend Index, which imagines a future built on AI-powered "agentic" organizations. They also delve into IDC's report showing Microsoft's UC&C dominance and dissect what Avaya's new Infinity platform means for enterprise communications. If you're looking to understand where the future of collaboration tech is headed, this episode is essential viewing.The UC space is shifting fast — and this panel of analysts and experts is here to make sense of it all. From Microsoft's vision of "agent bosses" and AI-first organizations to IDC's latest market share data and Avaya's next-gen platform, this is a deep dive into the trends shaping tomorrow's workplace.

In this insightful UC Today interview, host David Dungay sits down with Robin Bunevich, Product Marketer at Zoom, to explore the next evolution of AI in the workplace: customizable agentic AI. With Zoom's AI Companion woven throughout its platform and a new custom AI Companion add-on just launched, Robin breaks down how businesses can not only adopt AI but make it their own. If you've been wondering how agentic AI fits into your organization — or how easy it is to tailor — this discussion is a must-watch.Agentic AI has moved beyond hype and is becoming a critical productivity tool — but to maximize its value, customization is key. Robin Bunevich shares Zoom's vision of flexible, accessible AI that can adapt to every business's language, workflows, and industry.In this conversation, Robin and David dive deep into:Why customization matters: From acronyms to workflows, AI performs better when it understands your organization's context.Low-code/no-code solutions: Discover Zoom AI Studio and how anyone can start customizing AI without technical skills.Solving niche use cases: See how healthcare providers are using clinical notes to shift focus from admin to patients.Getting started with AI: Why test groups, measurable use cases, and human oversight are essential when beginning your agentic AI journey.Whether you're new to AI or scaling its use, Robin offers expert advice on balancing automation with human ingenuity to drive meaningful outcomes.