UC Today - Out Loud

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 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.

In this essential video from UC Today, host Kieran Devlin sits down with Lauren Kravetz, Vice President of Government Affairs, André Malais, Senior Product Manager, and Rhys Rueffert, Product Manager, all at Intrado, to unpack one of the most urgent enterprise topics in 2025—duty of care and emergency readiness.With U.S. laws like Kari's Law, Ray Baum's Act, and Alyssa's Law reshaping how organizations must respond to emergencies, this conversation dives deep into the role Intrado's Emergency Routing Service (ERS) and Safety Suite play in ensuring real-time, location-accurate, and regulation-compliant responses to 911 calls. Whether you're in IT, compliance, or enterprise safety, this is a must-watch.How do enterprises ensure they're not just compliant with complex 911 regulations but genuinely prepared to protect their people?In this insightful panel discussion, Intrado's experts break down the dual challenges of regulatory compliance and proactive emergency response—and how their ERS and Safety Suite solutions work in tandem to solve both.Key Takeaways:- Understanding Compliance: Learn how Intrado's ERS supports federal laws like Kari's Law and Ray Baum's Act by ensuring accurate call routing and dispatchable location delivery—even for remote or mobile users.- Beyond Compliance: Discover how Intrado's Safety Suite goes further with features like silent panic buttons, emergency alerts, and integration with physical security systems.- Adaptability Across Industries: See how Intrado's solutions meet evolving state-level requirements—from K-12 schools to hospitality and retail sectors—without enterprises needing to adapt to each regulation individually.- Future of Safety Tech: Gain insight into how Alyssa's Law is shaping broader workplace safety policies across the U.S., and what it means for your organization.Visit Intrado's website to explore how ERS and Safety Suite can support your organization's duty of care: https://www.intrado.com/#Compliance #Emergency #Intrado

UC Today's Kieran Devlin sits down with Gidi Adlersberg, Voca CIC Business Line Manager at AudioCodes, to explore what Microsoft's new Unify certification really means for Teams-based contact centers. With a decade at AudioCodes and a frontline role in developing Voca CIC, Gidi offers rare insight into how Azure-native integrations, SDK-driven stability, and AI standardisation are reshaping the CX landscape. If you're planning your next-generation customer experience strategy, this is an essential watch.Microsoft's Unify model is rapidly becoming the benchmark for Teams contact center integration — but what makes it different, and why does it matter? Gidi unpacks the technical and strategic implications, from five-nines reliability to the future of Azure-native voice.In this conversation, Gidi shares:

Join UC Today's Christopher Carey as he sits down with Renee Rogers, Channel Account Manager at SIPPIO, to explore how SIPPIO is transforming the unified communications (UC) landscape. With experience at Avaya and a passion for enabling partners, Renee shares insights on simplifying UC solutions, integrating carrier-grade voice into Microsoft Teams, and supporting partners in today's evolving market. This video is essential viewing for channel partners, UC professionals, and anyone looking to modernize voice services while maximizing opportunities in the UC ecosystem.Main Description:In this candid discussion, Renee Rogers highlights the ways SIPPIO is making UC simple and innovative for partners:Partner-Centric Approach: Learn how Renee works closely with partners to understand their business, co-sell, and provide tailored support to help them succeed.Voice as a Feature: Discover why SIPPIO emphasizes modernizing voice, consolidating UC solutions, and turning Teams Voice into a reliable, revenue-generating feature.Trends & Opportunities: Renee shares insights on Teams and Zoom adoption, channel consolidation, and leveraging AI while staying focused on core UC competencies.Partner Ecosystem Growth: Get a glimpse into SIPPIO's rapid growth, entrepreneurial mindset, and commitment to helping partners expand their business efficiently.Whether you're a channel partner looking to enhance UC offerings or a business exploring Teams voice integration, this video offers actionable insights and expert advice on maximizing opportunities in today's UC landscape.

Eric Hanson reveals how Mitel is redefining hybrid communications, empowering frontline workers, and steering innovation through customer-centric strategies.In this episode of The BIG UC Update, Rob Scott from UC Today sits down with Eric Hanson, Chief Marketing Officer at Mitel, to unpack the company's latest moves in unified communications. Known for its long-standing presence in global UC, Mitel is now steering boldly into the future—with a revitalized strategy, new AI-powered solutions, and a sharp focus on the real-world needs of hybrid enterprises and frontline teams.Whether you're a long-time Mitel customer or exploring hybrid UC models, this conversation offers a grounded and forward-looking take on what's next in the communications space.▶️ In this conversation, you'll learn about:

In this UC Today interview, host Kristian McCann sits down with Peter James, VP of Global Business Development at Shure, to explore the company's new initiative aimed at transforming collaboration from a “soft skill” into a business-critical differentiator. Peter discusses how Shure's professional-grade Collaboration and Conferencing Solutions eliminate the hidden costs of poor meeting experiences and power Microsoft's AI-driven ecosystem. He emphasizes the importance of educating organizations about the real cost of neglecting communication and collaboration technology.Shure has been synonymous with audio excellence for generations. However, how is the company adapting in an era where audio is now data, and seamless collaboration drives competitive advantage?Listen to the interview to discover:How inadequate collaboration and conferencing tools lead to hidden costs from productivity loss, miscommunication, and operational inefficiencies, costing businesses millions annually.Why Shure's Collaboration and Conferencing solutions, like the IntelliMix Room, have helped Fortune 500 companies achieve consistent, scalable meeting experiences across global locations.How Shure's partnerships with companies like Microsoft are transforming audio into high-quality data for AI-powered features like automatic speech levelling, noise cancellation, and intelligent meeting management.The role professional audio play in bridging the gap between in-office and remote participants, enabling truly equitable hybrid work experiences.How innovation in Collaboration and Conferencing solutions—from real-time translation to immersive video—is reshaping collaboration into a strategic business differentiator.Why future meetings need to capture the best of both digital collaboration tools and in-person interactions seamlessly.Next Steps:

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.

Migrating from legacy PBX systems to cloud communications is no easy feat—especially when vital system knowledge is buried, lost, or scattered across disparate platforms. That's exactly the challenge Nuwave set out to solve with Teleport, a powerful (and free) migration tool integrated into their iPilot platform. In this episode, Rob Scott from UC Today speaks with Mark Bunnell, COO of Nuwave, and Joel Keene, Director of Products and Innovation from Continuant, to uncover how Teleport is simplifying migrations, accelerating timelines, and transforming the UCaaS sales cycle for partners and customers alike.Here's what you'll learn in this insightful discussion:The "why" behind Teleport: Mark Bunnell shares how customer feedback drove New Wave to build a tool that demystifies complex UC migrations—without requiring an engineering degree.Real-world partner impact: Joel Keene explains how Continuant is using Teleport to streamline migrations, eliminate technical blockers, and reduce onboarding costs.From audit to automation: Discover how Teleport automates discovery, flags critical issues early, and accelerates decision-making for enterprise clients.The big picture: Learn how Teleport and iPilot together deliver an end-to-end lifecycle solution—from initial system mapping to post-migration visibility and control.Whether you're an MSP, VAR, or UCaaS service provider, this episode is a must-watch if you're still struggling with fragmented tools and manual migrations. The best part? Teleport is fast, free, and fully integrated with iPilot.Next Steps:Ready to simplify your UC migrations?Visit newwave.com to explore Teleport, request a demo, and see how it fits into your strategy.

In this UC Today spotlight, host Kieran Devlin is joined by Wendy Moore, Vice President of Marketing at Martello Technologies, to explore the company's mission to elevate collaboration performance for enterprises and managed service providers (MSPs) alike. With over two decades in software and cybersecurity marketing—including leadership at Trend Micro—Wendy shares her insights on what sets Martello apart in the crowded UC monitoring space. If your organization relies on platforms like Microsoft Teams or Zoom, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.In this engaging interview, Wendy Moore pulls back the curtain on Martello's proactive approach to unified communications monitoring and how the company empowers service providers and IT leaders to stay ahead of disruptions in hybrid environments.Discover how Martello enables IT success through:Proactive Monitoring with Synthetic Testing: Simulate real user interactions to detect issues before they impact performance or user satisfaction.MSP-Centric Strategy: Help managed service providers unlock new revenue streams while improving operational efficiency and service quality.Deep Visibility Across the UC Stack: End-to-end insights from user endpoints to cloud data centers, helping IT teams pinpoint root causes fast.Support for High-Value Use Cases: Ensure ROI for Teams Rooms and Teams Phone investments with robust performance oversight.Wendy also discusses how Martello's culture—rooted in its own long-standing hybrid operations—has helped shape products that genuinely solve modern collaboration challenges.Next Steps:Ready to future-proof your UC strategy? Visit Martello's website to learn more about their solutions for MSPs and enterprises. Don't forget to subscribe to UC Today for more expert insights and interviews from across the unified communications landscape.

In this forward-looking episode of UC Today, David Dungay sits down with Rahul Sawardekar, Global Product Head (UC) at Tata Communications, to explore how the return-to-office trend is reshaping the world of meeting rooms, collaboration devices, and endpoints. With legacy systems under scrutiny and hybrid work here to stay, Rahul unpacks how enterprises can future-proof their digital workspaces—while avoiding vendor lock-in and tech chaos. If your organization is rethinking its collaboration strategy, this is essential viewing.Gone are the days of passive, outdated meeting spaces. Today, they're strategic centers of collaboration—and businesses need more than a single-vendor setup to thrive. In this episode, Rahul Sawadekar outlines how Tata Communications is helping global enterprises reimagine hybrid collaboration.

In this insightful episode of UC Today, David Dungay sits down with Robyn Erkelens, Business Development Executive at New Era, to unpack what modern businesses are getting wrong—and right—about workplace transformation.With her background in experience design and innovation, Robyn shares why organizations need to rethink the “big bang” approach and instead focus on smart, scalable changes that actually move the needle. If you're navigating hybrid work, ESG goals, or the AI wave, this conversation is packed with practical advice.The future of the office isn't about gimmicks or grand overhauls—it's about thoughtful, human-centered transformation. In this candid conversation, Robyn Erkelens challenges traditional thinking and outlines New Era's playbook for building smarter, more agile workplaces.