Podcast appearances and mentions of Doug Green

In this Technology Reseller News, Podcast, Doug Green interviews Don Boxley, CEO and Co-Founder of DH2i, for a deep dive into one of the biggest challenges facing IT teams today: the migration gap between legacy Windows-based SQL Server deployments and the containerized, Linux-driven future that modern applications increasingly require. DH2i, a long-time Microsoft and Red Hat partner, delivers high availability, secure communication, and cross-platform mobility for SQL Server, Oracle, and MySQL environments. Their flagship platform, DX Enterprise, enables customers to run the same production-grade SQL instance across Windows, Linux, and Kubernetes — and move between them with seamless failover. As Boxley explains, this eliminates the traditional roadblocks that keep enterprises locked into aging infrastructure. With SQL Server 2025 bringing new support for AI-driven applications, Microsoft tapped DH2i to deliver mission-critical HA capabilities for these next-generation workloads. The company also introduced a hands-on, step-by-step Minikube tutorial, allowing DBAs and MSPs to experiment safely with Kubernetes-based SQL deployments on their own PCs before ever touching production. “Most teams think they're stuck on Windows — they're not. With DX Enterprise, you can move SQL Server to Linux or containers without disruption, and your customers won't even know the difference,” Boxley notes. DH2i's developer edition is available as a free download, complete with 30-day support, giving IT teams a no-risk path to testing, learning, and modernizing their database infrastructure. Learn more at https://dh2i.com/. Software Mind Telco Days 2025: On-demand online conference Engaging Customers, Harnessing Data

In this episode of Technology Reseller News, Doug Green interviews Lyle Pratt, Founder & CEO of Vida.io, following the company's announcement of a $4 million Series A funding round—a major milestone marking rapid growth, platform maturity, and expanding traction across MSPs, SaaS vendors, and business software providers. Pratt explains that Vida.io is an AI Agent Operating System for business, designed to help companies deploy, manage, monitor, and scale AI agents that perform real work across voice, SMS, email, and web chat. While many products offer a chatbot or voice agent, Vida.io delivers the full operational backbone required for real-world use: observability, SOC 2/HIPAA compliance, billing-as-a-service, UI components, and detailed interaction scoring. Since the last podcast, Vida.io has grown dramatically, surpassing 100 million AI agent interactions and onboarding a rapidly expanding network of partners. Initially focused on MSPs, the platform is now widely adopted by SaaS companies that embed AI agent capabilities directly into their vertical applications—roofing, moving, and other SMB-focused sectors—bringing instant scale to Vida.io's distribution. A key breakthrough discussed in the interview is Vida.io's ability to deliver low-latency, high-intelligence voice agents that reliably meet real-world customer experience expectations. “If latency is off even slightly, users get frustrated. We had to solve that,” Pratt notes. The result: AI agents that in many cases outperform humans, including one customer reporting 40% more meetings booked compared to human-based calling teams. Vida.io's partner program remains the company's primary growth engine. MSPs are now using AI agents to capture revenue from call flows they previously handed off to outsourced call centers—often redirecting hundreds of thousands of monthly minutes back into their own billing. The platform also supports direct SIP registration, enabling AI agents to function as standard PBX extensions across NetSapiens, Broadsoft, Metaswitch, and other systems widely deployed by MSPs. Pratt emphasizes that the AI revolution is fundamentally redefining UCaaS and business communications: “When the price of intelligence approaches zero, the entire enterprise software ecosystem transforms.” Even if LLM progress froze today, he argues, the impact on communications and business automation would still be historic. As the industry approaches 2026, Pratt sees a major new revenue frontier for MSPs—one that doesn't require deep AI expertise but does require timely action. Vida.io provides the tools to make AI agent deployment fast, repeatable, and profitable. To learn more or join the partner program, visit https://vida.io/. Software Mind Telco Days 2025: On-demand online conference Engaging Customers, Harnessing Data

“We're building for an agile future — one where messaging channels can finally talk to each other.” — Ariel Reid, VP of Customer Experience, GCH Technologies In this Technology Reseller News podcast, Doug Green, Publisher of TR Publications, speaks with Ariel Reid, Vice President of Customer Experience at GCH Technologies, about the company's mission to modernize the wireless messaging and voice ecosystem. Although GCH Technologies is a young company, its team brings over 50 years of combined telecom experience — spanning carriers, aggregators, enterprises, and CPaaS providers. Reid explains that GCH's role as a vendor-neutral platform allows it to help participants across the wireless ecosystem operate more efficiently, transparently, and securely. Reid discussed how messaging infrastructure has evolved into a fragmented patchwork of channels — including SMS, RCS, toll-free messaging, and branded calling — each governed by separate technologies, onboarding rules, and compliance frameworks. “These silos, while well-intentioned, have made it easier for threat actors to exploit gaps between channels,” she noted. GCH's mission is to unify and simplify communication across these environments while preserving flexibility for carriers and enterprises. AI plays a pivotal role in this modernization effort. Reid emphasized that while AI introduces new risks, it also strengthens defense. “For every mousetrap we build, bad actors are building one too — but AI helps us move just as fast, flagging anomalies and onboarding legitimate actors more efficiently,” she explained. A major milestone for GCH arrives January 1, 2026, when the company assumes responsibility for managing the U.S. Short Code Registry in partnership with the CTIA. This transition represents a significant modernization effort for the messaging industry. “We're ensuring continuity while introducing a more modular, data-driven, and future-ready platform,” Reid said. The initiative will centralize information, improve security, and create new opportunities for data-driven collaboration across the ecosystem. For information about the short code registry transition and GCH's modernization initiatives, visit gchtech.com or usshortcodetransition.com. Software Mind Telco Days 2025: On-demand online conference Engaging Customers, Harnessing Data

"When you build for life safety, there can't be a single point of failure," says Jake Jacoby, CEO of TELCLOUD. "Our networks are designed to stay up—no matter what fails." In the latest episode of the TELCLOUD POTS and Shots Podcast Series, Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, sits down with Jacoby to discuss what it really means to build fault-tolerant infrastructure—and why resilience and redundancy are the backbone of modern telecom. Jacoby explains that fault tolerance is about creating systems that can experience a failure without disruption. TELCLOUD applies this philosophy at every level of its network architecture, ensuring 99.999% uptime for critical life-safety communications such as fire alarms and elevator systems. TELCLOUD's geographically redundant design eliminates single points of failure: Multiple data centers across the U.S. (East, West, and Central) mirror one another, so if one fails, another immediately takes over. Each data center includes redundant servers, power systems, and load balancers, ensuring continuous operation even during localized outages. On-premise devices feature dual power sources, battery backups, and often generator integration for sustained operation during power loss. Multiple WAN options—fiber, Wi-Fi, and cellular—enable instant failover, with support for multiple carriers on a single device. "Emergencies don't happen when things are perfect," Jacoby notes. "They happen when power is out or connectivity is weak—and that's when TELCLOUD's systems keep working." For resellers and MSPs, TELCLOUD's architecture provides more than reliability—it's a competitive differentiator. By offering enterprise-grade, fault-tolerant solutions for POTS replacement, partners can deliver a service that customers trust to perform when it matters most. "When our resellers partner with TELCLOUD, they know they're getting the best technology—constantly improving, globally redundant, and built to last," Jacoby says. "Customers don't want to hear about servers and routers—they just want service that never fails." And in the Shots segment, Jacoby introduces a truly special find: Casa San Matías “Resol” Extra Añejo Tequila, aged five years in oak barrels in Jalisco, Mexico. The striking bottle—embossed with a golden sun face—reflects the craftsmanship and attention to detail shared by fine tequila and TELCLOUD's engineering philosophy. "Producers put their heart and soul into tequila," Jacoby says. "That same pride goes into the technology we build—crafted to endure and meant to be shared." The POTS and Shots series continues to blend business insight with a touch of culture—helping channel partners and MSPs prepare for the copper sunset while enjoying a global tour of the world's best tequilas. For more information, visit telcloud.com or call 844-900-2270.

“The tide is turning, but it hasn't gone out yet.” — Alex Quilici, CEO, YouMail In this Technology Reseller News podcast, Doug Green speaks with Alex Quilici, CEO of YouMail, about how the company is helping both carriers and enterprises identify, block, and eliminate fraudulent robocalls and impersonation attacks. After peaking at nearly 5 billion robocalls per month, U.S. volumes have fallen by more than a billion calls—a positive trend, though the fraudsters behind the remaining calls are earning more money with fewer calls. Quilici explains that YouMail, a Cloud Communications Alliance (CCA) member, is helping stop telecom “troublemakers” through a suite of AI-driven solutions that protect consumers, carriers, and enterprises alike. For carriers, YouMail's Watch and Score products flag risky robocallers by monitoring live calling behavior. Carriers upload the phone numbers they issue, and YouMail reports back when any number engages in suspicious or illegal activity—empowering providers to act quickly and shut bad actors off the network. For enterprises, YouMail's Quash solution identifies and suppresses impersonation campaigns in real time. Using analytics and carrier collaboration, Quash helps organizations such as banks and hospitality brands detect where fraudulent calls originate, block offenders, and even prepare evidence packages for law enforcement. Case studies on Regions Bank and Marriott highlight real-world success: a 60 percent reduction in telecom attacks and an $8 million fraud judgment. The results demonstrate how YouMail's technology helps legitimate businesses reclaim trust in their communications. Looking ahead to 2026, YouMail is developing a referral and reseller program to extend its protection ecosystem to more carriers and call-center partners. Learn more at youmail.com.

“Hard to get a customer — but once you have that customer, sell them something else.” — Elie Y. Katz, Founder, President & CEO, National Retail Solutions (NRS) In this Technology Reseller News podcast, Doug Green, Publisher of TR Publications, speaks with Elie Y. Katz, CEO of National Retail Solutions (NRS), about how NRS is helping small businesses compete with national chains — and why telecom resellers and MSPs are perfectly positioned to benefit from a new wave of retail technology opportunities. NRS, a division of IDT, began as a mission to modernize small, independent convenience stores through affordable, easy-to-use point-of-sale (POS) systems. A decade later, NRS has more than 38,000 units deployed nationwide, helping merchants streamline sales, manage operations, and now — expand digitally through DoorDash and Grubhub integrations. What started as a POS platform has evolved into a full suite of business services — including NRSPay for transparent, no-contract credit card processing, NRS Purple Payroll for affordable payroll solutions, and cash advance programs that help small businesses stay liquid and grow. Katz is now calling on telecom resellers and channel partners to leverage their trusted customer relationships and add new, high-margin offerings. “Every one of your customers needs credit card processing, payroll, or better cash flow. We make it simple, transparent, and profitable — for you and them,” he explained. With NRS, partners can expand beyond telecom into broader small-business enablement — reaching industries from convenience stores and retailers to medical, dental, legal, and service-based businesses. “The hardest part of sales is building trust. Our resellers already have that trust — now it's time to build on it,” Katz added. To learn more about partnership opportunities, visit SellNRS.com or explore NRS solutions at NRSPlus.com. Software Mind Telco Days 2025: On-demand online conference Engaging Customers, Harnessing Data

“Compliance is not going away. CMMC is here — and it's a high-margin, recurring opportunity for MSPs.” — Steven Hess, Co-Founder, Deep Fathom In this Technology Reseller News podcast, Doug Green, Publisher of TR Publications, sits down with Steven Hess, Co-Founder of Deep Fathom, to discuss the U.S. Department of Defense's new Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) mandates — and how they create one of the most significant compliance and service opportunities for the MSP and channel community in years. CMMC is the federal government's new cybersecurity enforcement framework for defense contractors and their supply chains. Designed to stop state-sponsored and criminal attacks on the defense ecosystem, the mandate now requires tens of thousands of small and mid-sized contractors to meet strict cybersecurity and documentation standards — or risk losing their contracts. Recognizing that most smaller contractors lack in-house cybersecurity resources, Deep Fathom was built as an AI-driven, turnkey compliance platform that guides companies through the entire CMMC process. “We built Deep Fathom to make compliance accessible — without the hundreds of thousands in consulting fees,” said Hess. The platform automates much of the work and includes an agentic AI assistant that helps users — and their MSPs — navigate complex regulatory steps with ease. Deep Fathom partners directly with MSPs and channel partners, offering three flexible engagement models: Referral — identify and connect clients to Deep Fathom. Value-Add Services — resell and support the platform with hands-on client guidance. Compliance Practice Development — build a full service line around CMMC readiness and ongoing certification. Hess emphasized that no deep cybersecurity background is required: “We've built the expertise into the platform itself. If you understand IT, you can build a compliance practice.” He also noted that CMMC is just the beginning — state, local, and critical infrastructure sectors are expected to follow with similar frameworks, multiplying the opportunity. For MSPs and resellers, Deep Fathom represents a sticky, recurring-revenue model tied to a growing federal mandate. “Compliance is a door opener — and a long-term relationship builder,” said Hess. To learn more about Deep Fathom's partner opportunities, visit deepfathom.ai. Software Mind Telco Days 2025: On-demand online conference Engaging Customers, Harnessing Data

“Availability is resilience. If you can't see it, you can't secure it.” — Roland Dobbins, Principal Engineer, NETSCOUT ASERT Team In this Technology Reseller News podcast, Doug Green, Publisher of TR Publications, speaks with Roland Dobbins, Principal Engineer on NETSCOUT's ASERT (Arbor Security Engineering & Response Team), about the growing risk of outbound DDoS attacks—and why service providers and enterprises must defend against threats moving in every direction. NETSCOUT, a global leader in network visibility and DDoS defense, has been monitoring an alarming surge in outbound and cross-network (east-west) attack traffic driven by new “Turbo Mirai” botnets, particularly the Aisuru variant. These attacks can exceed 20 terabits per second and 6 gigapackets per second, overwhelming even the largest operators. Dobbins explains that while most organizations focus on protecting against incoming DDoS traffic, outbound attack streams can be just as damaging, clogging peering links and taking down critical infrastructure. “We're seeing broadband networks unintentionally launching massive attacks, sometimes over a terabit per second, because of compromised IoT and connected devices,” Dobbins said. “It's not just about defending the target — it's about protecting your own network from being part of the problem.” NETSCOUT's ASERT team, which observes 40,000–50,000 DDoS attacks daily across 60% of the world's IPv4 space, provides continuous research and live mitigation guidance to customers worldwide. Dobbins emphasized that effective DDoS defense requires edge-to-edge visibility, sub-second detection, and suppression of both inbound and outbound traffic. “You can't secure what you can't see,” he added. “Operators need full visibility across their networks, with active mitigation built into daily operations.” Learn more about NETSCOUT's global threat research and DDoS defense solutions at netscout.com. Software Mind Telco Days 2025: On-demand online conference Engaging Customers, Harnessing Data

At the Crexendo UGM, Tim Wilbourn, Senior Vice President of Support and Customer Success at Crexendo, sat down with Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to discuss Crexendo's customer-first culture, the growing role of AI across communications, and the ongoing challenges — and opportunities — presented by 10DLC compliance. Wilbourn oversees Crexendo's customer support, managed services, and professional services teams, as well as its retail platform, giving him a unique vantage point across the company's ecosystem. “I have the pleasure of serving the community from every angle of customer success — hosted support, managed services, and direct platform management,” he said. “The best part is that I experience the same challenges our partners do, which helps us make meaningful improvements.” A central theme at this year's event, Wilbourn noted, was “AI everything.” From receptionist automation to transcription, call routing, and analytics, Crexendo partners are eager to implement AI-driven enhancements. “Everybody wants AI and they want it now,” he said. “But the key question is what do they want it to do, and how quickly can they deploy it?” Wilbourn's goal is to bring those solutions to life within the Crexendo VIP platform by integrating the event's showcased vendor technologies into live, real-world use cases. Turning to 10DLC compliance, Wilbourn described the rollout as “a bit of a fiasco” for the industry — though one that now represents a major opportunity for service providers. “Change is scary, and 10DLC caught a lot of the industry by surprise,” he explained. “We're seeing partners hesitant to sell SMS because of the complexity of registration and fear of noncompliance.” He emphasized that the potential fines for violations — sometimes thousands of dollars per message — can be intimidating, leading some providers to delay adoption. To address this, Crexendo is working closely with EVP partners and messaging providers such as Autom8ly, Textable, and Cinch to simplify compliance through automation and education. “Our goal is to take away the fear,” Wilbourn said. “No one wants to work with tools they don't understand. If we make it cleaner, faster, and more reliable, adoption will follow.” Wilbourn also sees these compliance challenges as a way for MSPs and resellers to deepen customer relationships. “Problems are opportunities,” he said. “If we can make 10DLC and other compliance requirements easier, our partners become heroes to their customers.” Crexendo's strategy remains focused on proactive support and continuous improvement. “We're resolving tickets faster, improving quality, and raising satisfaction scores,” Wilbourn noted. “The quote of the week? ‘Getting better.' And that's what we intend to keep doing — better every day.” To learn more about Crexendo's customer success initiatives and partner ecosystem, visit crexendo.com.

At the Crexendo UGM, Mark Vange, Founder and CEO of Autom8ly, sat down with Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to discuss how Autom8ly is redefining the role of AI in business communications — not as a distant automation layer, but as a cooperative partner working alongside people and processes. “AI isn't a box you plug in — it's more like hiring a new employee,” said Vange. “Our philosophy is cooperative AI: AI that works with you, using the tools you already have, to make your people more productive.” At Crexendo UGM, Autom8ly showcased its new 10DLC Onboarding Assistant, an AI-driven system that dramatically simplifies the complicated process of SMS compliance registration. Today, service providers can spend four to six hours helping a customer fill out their 10DLC brand and campaign applications — only to see a large percentage rejected on first submission. Autom8ly's onboarding AI guides end users step-by-step through the forms, using context-aware prompts and compliance logic to ensure accuracy. “We've taken a four-hour ordeal and turned it into a five-minute review,” Vange explained. “We're seeing first-submission success rates move from 8 percent to 95 percent. It's saving time, money, and frustration for everyone.” Beyond compliance automation, Autom8ly is also building advanced voice agents, real-time call assistance tools, and AI-powered QA and transcription systems that help service providers and their customers operate more efficiently. These tools can listen to live customer calls and instantly surface the right information — such as product details or appointment policies — enabling agents to provide accurate, immediate responses without extensive training. The result is a growing suite of AI tools built specifically for MSPs, resellers, and NetSapiens partners, allowing them to bring intelligent automation to verticals such as automotive, hospitality, veterinary care, legal services, and retail. Autom8ly's business model is 100 percent channel-based, designed to empower partners to deliver AI-enabled solutions under their own brands. “Our focus is on helping those who already understand their markets and customers succeed with AI,” Vange said. “We don't sell direct — we help partners integrate AI into their existing business models and deliver real, measurable value.” To learn more about Autom8ly's cooperative AI solutions and partnership opportunities, visit autom8ly.com.

At the Crexendo UGM, Daniel Petrie, President and CEO of SIPez, joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to discuss how his company is helping service providers, MSPs, and developers unlock the power of vCon technology—turning everyday communications into actionable, AI-driven insight. Founded over 20 years ago, SIPez began as a consultancy specializing in SIP and VoIP software. Today, the company develops open-source frameworks that integrate with NetSapiens and other call center platforms, providing powerful data analysis and automation capabilities. “We give our partners tools to analyze customer conversations and build AI-based workflows—without having to write code,” said Petrie. “Our technology handles the heavy computation in the background while they deliver the insights to their customers.” SIPez's suite includes an open-source vCon stack and a vCon analysis engine that allow organizations to construct, store, and interpret conversational data across text, voice, or video channels. Petrie explained that vCon (Virtual Conversation) serves as a standardized container for communication data, preserving every relevant element of a customer interaction—from transcripts and audio to metadata and analytics. The key advantage, Petrie noted, is context. “The vCon gives you the ability to maintain continuity across an entire customer journey—so when a caller is transferred, the next agent knows what's already been said,” he explained. “It prevents customers from having to repeat themselves, and that's a huge improvement in both efficiency and experience.” SIPez recently joined the Crexendo EVP Program, further integrating its vCon technology into the NetSapiens ecosystem. The goal is to make conversational data analysis accessible to channel partners, helping them capture new value without complexity. “We help NetSapiens and Crexendo customers extract data, trigger events, and analyze conversations while they're still happening,” Petrie said. “It's about giving partners early insight and control over their customer interactions.” Beyond enhancing data analytics, vCon technology simplifies what was once a messy process of call detail records and partial transcripts. By consolidating information from multiple communication modes into one structured format, it enables faster insights, cleaner integrations, and more powerful automation opportunities. For Petrie, the excitement around vCon is just beginning. “It's amazing how many people here already understand the value of what we're building,” he said. “The fact that engineers and MSPs are reading the spec and engaging with it tells us this is going to reshape how call data is managed and analyzed.” To learn more about SIPez and its open-source vCon solutions, visit sipez.com.

At the Crexendo UGM, Ben Choder, CEO of CallRevu, joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, for a conversation that linked automotive innovation, AI-driven analytics, and the emerging vCon framework for conversational intelligence. CallRevu is redefining how automotive dealerships communicate. “We record, transcribe, and analyze every sales and service call — inbound and outbound — to help dealers see their blind spots and close more deals,” said Choder. With over 6,000 dealership customers, CallRevu's AI platform processes more than a billion calls each year, instantly summarizing conversations and flagging opportunities for upselling, improved service, and stronger customer relationships. The result, according to Choder, is that “a dealer using our technology will sell five to ten percent more cars and book five to ten percent more service appointments.” The company's growth accelerated after its 2024 acquisition of TotalCX, a NetSapiens-based phone system already in 1,500 dealerships. That acquisition gave CallRevu the ability to deliver end-to-end call intelligence across every department — from sales and finance to service and parts — creating a full “digital twin” of the dealership's voice environment. For Choder, this transformation reflects how the automotive sector has evolved from an analog world of handshake deals to a data-driven, MBA-led enterprise. “These aren't mom-and-pop car lots anymore. They're billion-dollar organizations living on data, and voice remains their most valuable channel,” he explained. “Every phone call is seven to ten times more valuable than any text or email.” That's why CallRevu's connection to vCon — the emerging standard for virtual conversation data — is so natural. The company's architecture already mirrors vCon principles: structured conversational metadata, real-time transcription, and actionable analytics that loop back to both the dealer and the manufacturer. This allows automotive leaders to understand customer sentiment, engagement trends, and even brand loyalty, all from call data. Choder also outlined how AI agents are poised to reshape dealership operations. These virtual assistants can schedule service appointments after hours, handle recall notifications, and maintain engagement when human staff are unavailable — turning lost calls into new revenue. “If a customer calls at 10 p.m. for an oil change,” he said, “why shouldn't an AI agent schedule it right then and there?” Looking ahead, CallRevu plans to expand beyond North America into the U.K. and Latin America while deepening its presence in adjacent markets like motorsports, RVs, and specialty vehicles. Yet the focus remains on the automotive ecosystem — “anything with tires,” as Choder put it with a smile. To learn more about CallRevu's AI-powered communications solutions for the automotive industry, visit www.callrevu.com.

At the Crexendo UGM, Jeff Korn, CEO of Crexendo, spoke with Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, about the company's record growth, customer-first philosophy, and expanding global capabilities. The conversation took place at the historic Fontainebleau Resort in Miami Beach — a fitting venue for a company celebrating both legacy and innovation. The event marked a major milestone as Crexendo approached (and soon after surpassed) seven million users, underscoring its status as one of the fastest-growing platform providers in the communications industry. “We're the fastest-growing platform provider in the country,” Korn said. “Our growth is driven by the best people, products, and service in the industry — bar none.” Korn attributes much of the company's success to its “sessions, not seats” pricing model, which allows partners to pay only for what is actually used — a flexibility especially valuable in large environments such as hospitality. “Our model provides real value,” he explained. “If your phones aren't in use, you're not paying for idle capacity. It's simple, fair, and efficient.” Beyond its pricing innovation, Crexendo continues to invest heavily in open APIs and its EVP program, a new company store where licensees and developers can access or offer third-party applications to customize and extend the NetSapiens platform. “We're giving our partners limitless possibilities to differentiate,” Korn said. “It's an ecosystem that keeps growing every year — just look at the number of vendors and integrations showcased here at the UGM.” Korn also highlighted the company's global expansion powered by its partnership with Oracle Cloud. “We can now turn up an instance in one or two days and meet data sovereignty requirements anywhere in the world,” he said. “That capability has already enabled us to serve customers in regions like Africa — and we're just getting started.” At the heart of Crexendo's success, Korn emphasized, is a commitment to service and community. “We are a company of service,” he said. “We listen, we act, and we care about every one of our licensees. Our success is built on their success.” To learn more about Crexendo's UCaaS and NetSapiens platform solutions, visit www.crexendo.com.

At the Crexendo UGM, Dave Michels, Principal Analyst & Founder of TalkingPointz, sat down with Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to unpack “UCaaS Mobility 3” — a pragmatic, mobile-first model that moves enterprise calling from over-the-top apps to the cellular layer itself. Michels framed three generations of UCaaS mobility. Mobility 1 (find-me/follow-me) forwarded calls but split voicemail and caller ID. Mobility 2 (OTT softphone apps) worked well on strong internet — but faltered in truly mobile conditions (highway handoffs, variable coverage), pushing users back to personal cell numbers. Mobility 3 fixes this by placing the enterprise line on the SIM/eSIM: users choose business or personal at dial time, and enterprise calls ride native cellular voice for reliability, with full logging, recording, and policy control. The result: intuitive smartphone use (native dialer/contacts), optional UCaaS app, and clean work/personal separation without MDM intrusiveness. Michels highlighted why this matters now: Reliability on the move: Native cellular voice eliminates OTT fragility in transit. Compliance & CX: Enterprise calls and texts are captured and governed (finance, healthcare, education), and contact centers can transfer to subject-matter experts without losing recording/analytics. Frontline & deskless workers: Mobility-first roles (e.g., field services) can finally get enterprise-grade mobile that “just works.” Simplicity for IT & MSPs: One number can move across hard phone, soft client, and smartphone; less training and fewer behavior changes. Carrier convergence: With MVNO models (e.g., Crexendo's newly announced Xtend approach), service providers can bundle meetings, UCaaS, messaging, calling, and cellular — even globally — under a single brand and bill. Looking forward, Michels envisions “no more softphones” for many roles: users keep one phone, one dialer, two identities (business/personal), and enterprises preserve governance and data for AI-assisted analytics. For MSPs and resellers at UGM, the message was clear: Mobility 3 is a near-term, standard approach that elevates UCaaS into true mobile telephony, expands deal size and stickiness, and opens regulated and frontline segments. Explore more of Michels' analysis at TalkingPointz.

At the Crexendo UGM, Jonathon Alarcon, Senior Director of Technology, and Jake Jacoby, CEO of TELCLOUD, joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to discuss the company's channel-driven approach to modernizing analog infrastructure. With the copper network being decommissioned, TELCLOUD is helping partners capture new revenue by replacing POTS lines with smart, compliant, and resilient connectivity solutions. “We transform copper,” said Jacoby. “We're absolutely making analog great again for our partners. There's real opportunity in POTS one last time.” He explained that TELCLOUD's solutions enable MSPs and telecom providers to modernize elevator lines, fire alarms, blue-light phones, and other regulated endpoints—without compromising reliability or compliance. Alarcon, who has deep expertise in life-safety communications, emphasized how the company's technology supports critical applications. “Every elevator, every fire alarm, every emergency system still needs a phone line to stay compliant,” he said. “What we've done is create a platform that meets and exceeds those requirements while giving our partners new capabilities for video, data, and monitoring.” At the heart of this transformation is TELCLOUD's new POTSCAST line of devices, launched at UGM. These multi-purpose units use cellular connectivity and PoE backup to ensure continuous operation—even during power outages—and can stream video from elevator cameras directly to central monitoring stations. TELCLOUD's infrastructure is UL listed and adheres to NFPA and NEC standards, making it both compliant and future-proof. Equally important, TELCLOUD's model is 100% channel-focused. The company empowers partners to bring these services to their own customers under their own brands, offering either full-service white-label delivery—including porting, billing, and compliance—or flexible integration into existing telco and MSP environments. “We don't sell direct,” Jacoby noted. “We empower our partners to deliver compliant, high-value solutions to their end customers.” As a platinum sponsor of the conference, TELCLOUD's presence at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach drew attention for both its technical innovation and its signature “Make Analog Great Again” branding—a lighthearted nod to the serious business opportunity behind POTS transformation. For many partners, the discussion was a reminder that the analog world still holds enormous potential, and that modernization doesn't have to mean abandoning the trusted systems that keep people safe. To learn more about TELCLOUD's POTS replacement and compliance solutions, visit telcloud.com or explore the POTSCAST lineup at potscast.co.

"What customers really want is service that just works — guaranteed, reliable, and built to last," says Jake Jacoby, CEO of TELCLOUD. “That's what modularity delivers — a system that's flexible, future-proof, and ready to adapt as technology evolves.” In this latest episode of the TELCLOUD POTS and Shots Podcast Series, Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, sits down with Jacoby to explore how modularity and hybrid architecture are reshaping the future of POTS line replacement. Jacoby explains that while some providers have built all-in-one devices combining battery, conversion, and LTE/5G connectivity in a single box, that design often fails in real-world environments: “When you put a 5G radio in a basement, it's like trying to make a cell call underground,” he notes. Instead, TELCLOUD's modular approach separates the cellular router from the conversion hardware using Power over Ethernet (PoE) — allowing placement of the radio up to 250 feet away for optimal signal strength and reliability. This architecture also allows resellers to choose the right connectivity partner — TELCLOUD integrates with major vendors such as Ericsson, Digi, Peplink, and InHand Networks — and to easily upgrade from 4G to 5G or beyond without replacing the entire system. The on-premise equipment, designed to last 15 to 20 years, remains in place while connectivity evolves. TELCLOUD's hybrid model extends beyond hardware to the network layer itself. Unlike vendors that rely on voice-over-IP to deliver alarm or life-safety signals, TELCLOUD routes communications through its UL-listed data centers directly to certified central alarm stations — ensuring code compliance, redundancy, and end-to-end reliability. For resellers, this means a powerful selling advantage: Install once, manage remotely, and minimize truck rolls. Deliver guaranteed service uptime to customers. Future-proof deployments to avoid costly upgrades. "Ultimately, customers aren't buying hardware — they're buying confidence," Jacoby says. "TELCLOUD's flexible, hybrid solution makes sure that confidence lasts for decades." And in the Shots segment, Jacoby takes listeners on a guided tasting of Ocho Tequila, demonstrating three variations — Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo — to illustrate how aging changes the character and complexity of the same base spirit. “It's a perfect metaphor for technology,” he adds. “Same foundation, different maturity.” The POTS and Shots series continues to blend deep technical insight with a touch of culture — helping resellers modernize infrastructure while enjoying the finer details along the way. For more information, visit telcloud.com or call 844-900-2270.

At the Crexendo UGM in Miami Beach, Marco Raimo, Regional Sales Manager, Americas at TelcoBridges, joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to discuss how TelcoBridges is empowering service providers to modernize, secure, and optimize their voice networks through advanced migration and monitoring solutions. “We're here to collaborate with our partners and help them migrate from TDM to IP while securing their voice traffic with our ProSBCs,” Raimo said. “Our goal is to make the transition seamless while also helping providers generate new revenue streams through optimized network management.” TelcoBridges used the Crexendo UGM as a platform to showcase its new Monitoring and Analytics System (MAS) — a proactive solution that enables service providers to monitor all voice traffic across SBCs and media gateways. “MAS helps our customers identify issues before they escalate, improving reliability and significantly cutting support costs,” Raimo explained. Raimo emphasized that efficiency, visibility, and insight are the new cornerstones of effective voice network operations. “We're focused on helping our partners enhance visibility into their networks and make smarter operational decisions,” he said. To learn more about TelcoBridges' voice solutions, visit www.telcobridges.com.

At the Crexendo UGM, Mike Somers, Founder and COO of Beetexting, sat down with Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to discuss Beetexting's newest integrations and AI innovations for compliance and customer engagement. Beetexting provides a corporate texting platform designed to help teams move beyond email, offering shared inboxes, automation, and collaboration features that streamline customer communication. “We built Beetexting to help teams communicate faster and more effectively,” said Somers. “It's about enabling businesses to connect with their customers in a modern, compliant way.” At the Crexendo UGM, Somers announced that Beetexting has launched a direct integration with NetSapiens, making it easier for Crexendo resellers to provision and manage accounts. “Partners can now log in via SSO, set up accounts, and monitor onboarding success—all within a unified dashboard,” he explained. Somers also revealed a new partnership with Phone.com and several AI-driven tools that address one of the industry's biggest challenges: 10DLC compliance. Beetexting's TCR Agent uses conversational AI to guide businesses through the 10DLC registration process in minutes, while its AI-powered Compliance Agents monitor outgoing messages to ensure adherence to company policies and regulations, including FINRA and HIPAA. “The Compliance Agent is like a hall monitor for messaging,” Somers said. “It helps users stay compliant in real time, prevents issues before they happen, and continuously learns company-specific policies.” With Beetexting's innovations, resellers and service providers can deliver a fully white-labeled, compliant business texting solution that adds measurable value to their communications offerings. To learn more about Beetexting, visit www.beetexting.com.

At the Crexendo UGM, Matt Siemens, CEO of NUSO, sat down with Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to discuss NUSO's innovative approach to AI, its newly announced partnership with Crexendo, and the company's accelerating global expansion across Europe. As a major event sponsor, NUSO created a branded lounge area at the conference to facilitate deeper engagement and longer conversations with partners. But Siemens' main stage presentation captured the spotlight — highlighting NUSO's AI philosophy and architecture, which centers on creating a digital twin of its network environment to reduce AI hallucinations and improve contextual accuracy. “Our focus isn't on AI as a product, but as an enabler — a force that increases velocity and outcomes,” Siemens explained. “By maintaining a live digital twin of our network within the AI environment, we can reduce misinformation, enhance software development, and deliver more meaningful customer experiences.” Siemens also spoke about the importance of continuous updates to avoid the pitfalls of static AI environments — what he referred to as “hyperreality” — and explored how concepts like vCons act as “micro mirrors” that enrich contextual understanding in customer interactions. In major business news, Siemens announced a global technology partnership with Crexendo, through which NUSO will provide carrier and related services while expanding its use of the NetSapiens platform into new markets. The company's European expansion is also gaining momentum, with new operator authority in 14 countries, including recent launches in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. “We've taken the approach of building regulatory compliance and numbering authority first,” Siemens said. “That foundation gives our partners and customers greater reliability and agility as we expand across Europe.” To learn more about NUSO's global communications and AI innovations, visit www.nuso.cloud.

At the Crexendo UGM, Jon Brinton, Chief Revenue Officer at Crexendo, joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, for an in-depth conversation about the company's expanding ecosystem, its partner-driven growth, and the innovations shaping the NetSapiens platform. The annual Crexendo User Group Meeting (UGM) has become one of the most anticipated gatherings in the communications industry — and this year set new records, with over 570 registered attendees and 66 sponsors. “It just keeps getting bigger and better,” said Brinton. “Our community is highly engaged and excited about what's next for the NetSapiens platform.” Held at the iconic Fontainebleau Resort in Miami Beach, the event combined historical elegance with a modern focus on AI, customer value, and partner profitability. Crexendo sessions featured topics such as business valuation, AI-driven applications, and building company equity, reflecting the company's commitment to providing immediate, actionable solutions rather than distant roadmaps. “We're focused on what partners can deploy now — within 30 days,” Brinton explained. “Our goal is to deliver AI applications and customer insights that add measurable value and drive higher average revenue per user. This isn't theoretical. It's about being market-ready today.” Brinton also highlighted Crexendo's evolving AI strategy, including integrations that leverage vCons to make conversational data actionable. “We're seeing AI as a force for customer value — not just for network management,” he said. “It's about helping service providers differentiate, add intelligence to their offers, and improve outcomes for their customers.” The UGM showcased a thriving partner ecosystem, where collaboration and community remain central. “Our success is tied to our partners' success,” Brinton noted. “They're growing at double the rate of the market. This event is about equipping them with the tools, partnerships, and insights to keep that momentum going.” To learn more about Crexendo and the NetSapiens platform, visit www.crexendo.com or www.netsapiens.com.

At the Crexendo UGM, Sam Sklaroff, CEO of Axxess Networks, joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to share how his company blends classic customer service values with cutting-edge communications technology. Axxess Networks, a leading provider of VoIP, UCaaS, and CCaaS solutions, stands out for what Sklaroff calls an old-school approach to customer care. “Whatever happened to good old-fashioned customer service?” Sklaroff asked. “At Axxess Networks, we treat every customer like family—from onboarding to support—and we make sure they're ready for success before the first call goes live.” Each Axxess customer is assigned a personal project manager and dedicated IT engineer to ensure network readiness and a smooth installation. “Our help desk is all U.S.-based,” Sklaroff noted. “Last week, our average time to answer was 13 seconds. When you call Axxess Networks, we're here for you.” The company's commitment to service extends to technological innovation. Sklaroff revealed Axxess' proprietary Live Failover feature—an automatic system that keeps calls active even if a customer's internet connection fails. “If your internet goes down, your calls don't,” he said. “In under one second, we switch to LTE with no dropped calls and no extra usage fees. One of our customers stayed fully operational for a week during a fiber outage.” Sklaroff also announced that Janet Schijns, a well-known channel leader, recently joined Axxess Networks' board of directors, marking another milestone in the company's growth. Axxess maintains strong partnerships with Crexendo and NetSapiens, and continues to advance in areas such as AI and vCon technology, with plans to launch new vCon apps later this year. “Technology evolves, but people still matter most,” Sklaroff said. “That's what drives us—service with a human touch.” To learn more about Axxess Networks' UCaaS and Live Failover solutions, visit www.axxessnetworks.com.

At the Crexendo UGM, Amy Humphreys, Chief Operating Officer at Simplicity VoIP, joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to discuss her company's customer-first approach, its long-standing partnership with NetSapiens, and the innovations shaping its growth in UCaaS, texting, and AI. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Virginia, Simplicity VoIP provides unified communications solutions to businesses of all sizes across the U.S., maintaining a fully onshore support team. Humphreys explained that after starting as a 3CX reseller, Simplicity sought more flexibility and scalability — a search that led them to NetSapiens in 2016. “NetSapiens is a true partner,” she said. “They're constantly helping us future-proof our business by adding new functionality and third-party integrations like vFax, video, and texting.” Attending Crexendo UGM, Humphreys emphasized the importance of connecting with platform leadership and staying ahead of innovation. “We came to see what's next — especially around AI, texting, and mobility,” she said. “It's about understanding where the industry is heading so we can bring richer user experiences to our customers.” A highlight of the conversation was Simplicity's success in text messaging solutions, including both native NetSapiens texting and large-scale bulk SMS through MessageMedia. “We have one client who started with 60,000 text messages a month,” Humphreys shared. “They're now doing over half a million a month. Texting has exploded — even small use cases like group messaging for schools create real value.” Humphreys also outlined emerging AI opportunities in areas such as patient referral automation, where voicemail messages are transcribed and converted into digital documents for faster workflows. “That's just the tip of the iceberg,” she said. Simplicity's “super seller” model has further expanded its reach. This hybrid program allows VARs and MSPs to deliver UCaaS under their own brand without the heavy upfront investment of a platform purchase. “We give our partners full control of the customer domain — they build it, sell it, and support it,” Humphreys explained. “We handle the porting, billing, taxation, and compliance. It's been a win-win, and we even have a case study showcasing the first super seller's success.” Reflecting on her industry journey, Humphreys credited Technology Reseller News as a valuable learning tool early in her career. “Reading TR every day helped me understand the industry when I was new,” she said. “It's still part of my daily routine.” To learn more about Simplicity VoIP's UCaaS, texting, and partner programs, visit www.simplicityvoip.net.

“AI gives us a chance to make technology feel human again — not just efficient.” — Danny Tomsett, CEO, UneeQ In this Technology Reseller News podcast, Doug Green speaks with Danny Tomsett, CEO of UneeQ, about how digital humans and AI-driven immersive training are redefining customer and employee experience. UneeQ's digital humans simulate lifelike emotion, movement, and empathy — helping telecoms and enterprises create interactions that feel real. These AI-powered avatars connect to live data systems, delivering authentic engagement instead of scripted automation. Tomsett explains that while most CX technology has focused on efficiency, the next leap is about value and connection: “Customers want to feel valued — that's the true test of any experience.” UneeQ also offers a browser-based immersive training platform, letting staff practice real-world conversations with AI coaches that teach soft skills like empathy, curiosity, and active listening. Together, these tools help telecoms and enterprises scale automation and elevate human performance — creating customer experiences that inspire trust and loyalty. Learn more at digitalhumans.com.

“Roughly 80% of unidentified calls go unanswered. The voice channel won't recover until people trust who's calling.” — Alex Algard, Founder & CEO, Hiya Alex Algard joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to unpack why consumers are ignoring voice calls and how Hiya—in partnership with mobile operators and handset makers—aims to modernize caller identity, block abuse, and reconnect businesses with customers. The problem Hiya's annual research shows unidentified calls are largely ignored (≈80% unanswered). With nuisance and fraud rampant, voicemail is turning into the new spam folder, undermining contact centers and legitimate outbound teams. Who Hiya is Seattle-based Hiya powers call protection and identity services with a global footprint of 500M+ users, working with AT&T (US), Samsung (global), Rogers/Bell (Canada), BT (UK), Vodafone, Telefónica, Telenor, and others. Two flagship services Hiya Protect: Network-integrated analytics (privacy-respecting metadata only) assess ~30B calls/month to label or block spam/fraud in real time—often before the phone rings. Hiya Connect: Elevates legitimate outbound calling with branded caller ID (business name, logo, call reason), materially raising answer rates for B2C outreach (banks, airlines, healthcare, pharmacies, field services). New: Caller Reputation (transparency for enterprises) For the first time, businesses can see and track their caller reputation and get prescriptive guidance to improve it (e.g., call patterns, answer durations, hygiene). This addresses the “black box” confusion when calls are mislabeled across carriers/analytics vendors. It's designed for enterprises, MSPs, channels, and SMBs—with direct engagement via Hiya or through operator partners. AI has been in Hiya's DNA Hiya has applied ML since 2016 and now leverages advanced AI to improve detection and identity, helping operators keep networks clean while avoiding false positives on wanted calls. Hiya AI Phone (assistant/screener) A carrier-offerable AI agent that answers, screens, and routes inbound calls in real time—ideal for consumers and SMBs (e.g., trades & field services that can't staff a live receptionist yet rely on timely calls). Why it matters for readers Contact centers & outbound teams: Recover answer rates, reduce voicemail waste, and maintain brand trust. Enterprises/MSPs/Channels/Regional telcos: Offer branded calling, protect subscribers, and monitor/improve caller reputation across portfolios. SMBs: Use AI screening to capture opportunities without missing critical calls. Learn more about Hiya Protect, Hiya Connect, Caller Reputation, and Hiya AI Phone at hiya.com.

“AI is hungry — for bandwidth, for speed, and for talent.” — Jean-Philippe Avelange, Chief Information Officer, Expereo Jean-Philippe Avelange, CIO of Expereo, joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to discuss findings from Expereo's Horizon Telecom Report—revealing how U.S. organizations are losing millions to network failures and struggling to find skilled professionals in cybersecurity, networking, and data automation. Avelange explained that as companies digitize everything from collaboration to customer experience, connectivity interruptions now directly halt business operations, making network reliability as vital as cybersecurity. “Modern enterprises are building their products and services on connectivity. When it stops, business stops,” he noted. The AI multiplier AI adoption is compounding the challenge. “AI is not just another workload—it's a new kind of demand,” Avelange said. AI-driven automation, real-time data flows, and low-latency interactions place unprecedented pressure on legacy network architectures. Organizations can no longer treat networking as a commodity; they must rethink it as a strategic platform requiring redesign and intelligent automation. The human factor According to Avelange, the real shortage isn't people—it's adaptability. The industry needs professionals skilled in network automation, data flow optimization, and problem solving, not just hardware management. “AI won't solve your problem if you don't understand the problem,” he said, advocating for upskilling internal teams alongside strong partnerships with managed service providers (MSPs) that bring intelligence, not just infrastructure. Latency by design Latency, Avelange warned, must be addressed before deployment. “You can always add bandwidth, but you can't add speed after the fact. Latency has to be engineered from the start.” A new mindset For Expereo, the future of networking lies in intelligent connectivity—solutions that merge automation, analytics, and agility to keep enterprises resilient in the AI era. “We're not selling boxes,” Avelange said. “We're helping companies design the networks their digital business runs on.” Read more in the Horizon Telecom Report or visit expereo.com.

"Even though POTS lines are going away, the communication path is not," says Jake Jacoby, CEO of TELCLOUD. "Businesses still need reliable, code-compliant connections for fire, elevator, and life safety systems—and waiting until shutdowns hit is a risk no one can afford." In this latest episode of the TELCLOUD POTS and Shots Podcast Series, Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, joins Jacoby to discuss the hidden dangers of waiting too long to replace copper lines—and why proactive planning can save businesses both money and operational disruption. Jacoby explains that while many organizations still rely on legacy copper for fire alarms and elevator systems, these lines are increasingly unreliable—and in some cases, already being shut down. A failing elevator line or a disconnected fire panel can render a business out of compliance, forcing costly alternatives such as Firewatch, where staff must patrol facilities around the clock. Meanwhile, carriers are accelerating their copper shutdowns after receiving FCC approval to decommission aging infrastructure. Though customers may receive a 30-day notice, Jacoby cautions that shutdowns can happen anytime thereafter: “If you've been given a notice and it's been more than 30 days, it's a gamble whether your line is still working.” For resellers and MSPs, Jacoby stresses the need to get ahead of the shutdown curve: Audit existing lines and identify critical life safety systems. Engage customers early to build rollout plans before demand surges. Leverage TELCLOUD's platform for faster deployment and long-term reliability. Proactive migration, he says, not only prevents service loss but also delivers lower costs, greater reliability, and a path to future-ready communications. True to the POTS and Shots format, the conversation closes with a taste of tequila—this time from south of the border. Broadcasting from TELCLOUD's support center in Tijuana, Mexico, Jacoby introduces Siete Leguas Blanco, a traditional, double-distilled tequila made using the old-world tahona process. Fun fact: the name honors Pancho Villa's legendary horse. The POTS and Shots series continues to blend industry insight with a touch of culture and storytelling—helping partners navigate the copper sunset while enjoying the finer things in life. For more information, visit telcloud.com or call 844-900-2270.

“If responses aren't near real-time, the bot won't feel human.” — Ruchir Brahmbhatt, Co-Founder & CTO, Ecosmob Ruchir Brahmbhatt, Co-Founder and CTO of Ecosmob, joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to discuss the engineering behind human-like voicebots—where milliseconds make the difference between a smooth conversation and a frustrating one. With more than 18 years in VoIP and AI/ML development, Ecosmob builds custom voicebots for MSPs, ITSPs, and UCaaS/CCaaS providers seeking real-time automation and compliance. Brahmbhatt outlined how Ecosmob's architecture achieves sub-second latency through: Python async orchestration for thousands of concurrent sessions Redis in-memory queues for ultra-low-latency streaming NVIDIA Canary ASR and Kokoro TTS for fast, natural speech llama.cpp LLM engine with dynamic quantization for efficient processing In a live healthcare demo, Ecosmob's voicebot scheduled an appointment in natural, human-like dialogue—with total round-trip latency under 600 milliseconds. Brahmbhatt emphasized that modern contact centers are shifting from IVRs to AI-driven self-service, and that on-prem and GDPR-compliant deployments are increasingly essential. Learn more at ecosmob.com.

Simwood Partners with ChallengeAid to Support Education in Nairobi, Podcast, Simwood, a software-defined carrier based in the UK with operations in 21 U.S. states, has committed ongoing financial support to ChallengeAid's network of 53 Schools of Hope “It's the difference between a life of hopelessness and a life of opportunity.” — Simon Woodhead, Founder & CEO, Simwood Group In this special Cloud Communications Alliance (CCA) edition of the Technology Reseller News podcast, Doug Green speaks with Simon Woodhead, Founder and CEO of Simwood, about the company's partnership with ChallengeAid, a British and African charity transforming lives through education in Nairobi's informal settlements. Simwood, a software-defined carrier based in the UK with operations in 21 U.S. states, has committed ongoing financial support to ChallengeAid's network of 53 Schools of Hope. These community-based schools offer free education, mentorship, and safety to children living in extreme poverty — many of whom would otherwise face lives defined by child labor, drugs, or exploitation. Among these is the newly renamed Simwood School of Hope, a special needs institution in the Mathare area of Nairobi. The school supports 58 teenagers and provides care for nearly 300 children with disabilities. “This one resonated deeply with me,” says Woodhead. “Special needs education is rarely the first cause people support, but here it's absolutely life-saving.” ChallengeAid's impact is profound: over 100,000 children educated since 2004, 150 local volunteers (many former students), and even national chess champions and university graduates among its alumni. Simwood's involvement ensures that these programs can continue to grow, with plans to expand employee engagement and provide technology education in the future. To learn more about Simwood, visit simwood.com. To support ChallengeAid's mission, visit challengeaid.org. Read the full story on Telecom Reseller: Simwood Partners with ChallengeAid to Expand Education Support for School of Hope in Nairobi, Kenya.

At Viirtue Connect in Nashville, Jon Brinton, Chief Revenue Officer at Crexendo, joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to discuss Crexendo's sustained growth, partner momentum, and the innovations driving what Brinton calls a “renaissance in voice services.” Crexendo, the parent company behind the NetSapiens platform, now serves nearly 7 million users worldwide through its expanding network of over 235 partners. Brinton credited the company's success to a partner-first strategy that allows resellers to achieve higher margins and faster growth than the overall market. “Our partners grow at about double the rate of the market,” Brinton noted. “We design our model to make them more profitable—and that fuels sustained expansion.” Brinton also previewed Crexendo's upcoming NetSapiens Platform User Group Meeting at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, where partners will explore new applications of AI, digital channels, and conversational intelligence to enhance customer experience. “We're helping partners make customer data actionable and relevant,” he said. “There's a renaissance happening in voice services—where the human conversation is once again central to business intelligence.” A key theme for Crexendo's ecosystem is flexibility—allowing partners to own, subscribe to, or host the platform in their preferred environments. Combined with a growing ecosystem of 60+ technology partners, the company enables tailored solutions for specific markets and verticals. “Our mission,” Brinton added, “is to keep voice at the center of meaningful human interaction—while giving partners the innovation and tools they need to compete and win.” To learn more, visit www.crexendo.com or www.netsapiens.com.

At Viirtue Connect in Nashville, John Christian, Vice President of Marketing at Akixi, joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to discuss how Akixi is helping MSPs and telecom providers stand out in an increasingly commoditized communications market. Akixi delivers value-added analytics, CRM integration, and call recording solutions that enhance cloud-based telephony and UCaaS platforms. “We exist to help our partners solve business problems—whether that's missed revenue, productivity challenges, or customer experience gaps,” Christian explained. “In a world where everyone is selling the same call control, Akixi helps service providers differentiate.” A channel-only company, Akixi focuses on scalability, ease of provisioning, and simple billing—making it easier for MSPs and service providers to package and deliver advanced reporting and analytics alongside their UC offerings. Christian noted that some partners now lead with Akixi when selling their communications platforms because the real-time call analytics and visualization tools deliver immediate value to business customers. During the discussion, Christian highlighted a growing industry trend: specialization. “The MSPs that are succeeding are those who understand their customers' specific challenges—whether in healthcare, recruitment, or retail—and build tailored solutions around those needs,” he said. “Specialization builds trust and reduces perceived risk for customers transitioning away from legacy systems.” As MSPs look ahead, Christian believes differentiation will come from layering insights, integration, and intelligence on top of standard UCaaS platforms. “We help our partners move beyond selling technology to delivering outcomes—and that's where the real opportunity lies.” To learn more about Akixi, visit www.akixi.com.

At Viirtue Connect in Nashville, Bruce Widener, CEO of STRATA7 Technology, joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to discuss STRATA7's customer-first approach, its growing partnership with Viirtue, and the new business opportunities emerging from the event. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, STRATA7 Technology is a business-to-business unified communications provider dedicated to helping organizations increase efficiency, improve profitability, and drive growth. “We wake up every day looking forward to helping our customers solve problems,” Widener said. STRATA7 has partnered with Viirtue for the past 18 months, leveraging its network services, SIP trunking, and carrier technology to enhance its solutions portfolio. Widener described Viirtue as “a good, solid partner,” adding that the company is now evaluating Viirtue's buy-billing platform to further streamline operations and strengthen integration. Reflecting on the conference, Widener emphasized the value of in-person collaboration: “It's been great meeting the different partners in the Viirtue ecosystem — people we've talked to for months. These conversations help us expand what we can offer our clients.” STRATA7 is exploring several new technologies and services unveiled at the event, from hardware innovations to enhanced faxing and communication tools, which Widener plans to bring back to his operations team for review. To learn more about STRATA7 Technology, visit www.strata7.net.

At Viirtue Connect, Purav Maisuria, General Manager at Phonesuite, joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to discuss how Phonesuite is helping MSPs tap into new opportunities in the hospitality market through purpose-built communications solutions. Founded in 1988, Phonesuite provides voice and communication platforms designed exclusively for the hospitality industry, serving more than 10% of the global hotel market. The company is brand-approved by major hotel groups including Hilton, Marriott, and IHG, meeting each brand's strict requirements for reliability, security, and compliance. Maisuria noted that many MSPs already handle hotel networking and Wi-Fi but overlook telephony — a critical element of guest experience and operations. “It's a great opportunity,” he explained. “Hotels are looking for cybersecurity, better networks, and full IT support. By adding Phonesuite's voice solutions, MSPs can deliver a complete 360-degree service.” Phonesuite's hosted hospitality platform simplifies deployment and introduces features that directly address hotelier needs, such as missed call alerts, enhanced reporting, and mobile access for managers. These tools help prevent lost reservations and improve customer service by ensuring every call is answered — even after hours. “The front desk is the hotel's heartbeat,” Maisuria said. “When calls are missed, revenue is lost. Our solutions ensure staff stay connected and responsive, wherever they are.” To learn more, visit www.phonesuite.com.

At Viirtue Connect in Nashville, Jason Moravec, Senior Channel Account Manager at Xima Software, joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to discuss how Xima's advanced contact center solutions are helping MSPs expand revenue, strengthen customer relationships, and enhance user experience. Xima Software delivers cloud-based contact center and customer experience platforms designed to integrate seamlessly with leading UC systems like NetSapiens, which powers Viirtue and other Crexendo partners. “We focus on helping businesses communicate more effectively across every channel—voice, SMS, email, chat, and WhatsApp,” Moravec explained. “It's all about elevating the customer experience.” Through its integration with NetSapiens, Xima offers white-label, multi-channel contact center solutions that partners can brand as their own. The platform enhances standard UC capabilities with detailed analytics, cradle-to-grave reporting, and intelligent call routing—all designed to help MSPs deliver a premium service that customers can't easily replace. “Contact centers are incredibly sticky,” Moravec said. “When partners win the contact center, they often win the entire business. It's one of the most profitable and high-value parts of the UC ecosystem.” Xima also integrates AI and speech analytics to improve agent productivity and customer outcomes. From sentiment and tone detection to AI-powered chatbots and voice assistants, the platform uses automation to reduce call volume, speed up responses, and provide data-driven training insights. “Our AI isn't about replacing humans—it's about getting people to the right place faster and making agents more effective,” Moravec emphasized. For MSPs and Viirtue partners, Xima's solutions represent a powerful opportunity to differentiate, expand service offerings, and grow recurring revenue. To learn more about Xima Software, visit www.ximasoftware.com.

At Viirtue Connect in Nashville, Adrian Andrews, Founder of AspireOn Networks, joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to discuss how his company is delivering comprehensive telecommunications, connectivity, and security solutions to businesses across Central Florida and beyond. AspireOn Networks provides business-class telecom services, including fiber connectivity, telecom expense management, and security system installations. “We partner with all the carriers in the country,” Andrews explained. “If you're looking for fiber optics or a backup solution, we shop all the carriers and come back with the best options—so our customers don't have to.” In addition to telecom solutions, AspireOn offers access control and security camera systems for businesses with physical locations, helping customers strengthen both digital and physical security. The company also performs quality control for fiber construction projects, ensuring network builds meet safety and technical standards. Headquartered in Central Florida, AspireOn Networks serves Orange, Seminole, Volusia, and Hillsborough counties, with clients across the U.S. and internationally. The company's success, Andrews noted, is supported by strong partnerships — including with Ideal Technologies in Tampa Bay and Viirtue, with whom AspireOn maintains a close working relationship. To learn more, visit www.aspireonnetworks.com.

At WebexOne, John Ortiz, Technology Sales Manager at MiaRec, joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to discuss how MiaRec is using AI to reshape the way businesses analyze and improve their customer interactions. MiaRec's platform leverages large language model (LLM) technology to deliver insights across three key use cases: Automated QA: Using AI to review and score 100% of customer interactions, ensuring that agents meet performance and compliance standards while eliminating the limitations of manual quality assurance. CX Intelligence: Automatically generating metrics such as customer satisfaction (CSAT), net promoter score (NPS), effort scores, and churn risk, giving companies a real-time understanding of customer sentiment and retention trends. Revenue Intelligence: Tracking sales opportunities and performance metrics across calls — including upsell and cross-sell effectiveness, objection handling, and missed revenue potential — to help managers identify top performers and training needs. Ortiz emphasized that the platform's customizable LLM framework allows businesses to extract any metric they need, regardless of industry or use case. “Every customer we get has different goals,” Ortiz said. “Having the flexibility to extract custom insights is absolutely key.” MiaRec integrates seamlessly with leading communication platforms such as Webex Calling, Webex Contact Center, RingCentral, NICE, Five9, and Twilio, while remaining platform-agnostic for clients with mixed environments. To learn more, visit www.miarec.com.

“Think of it like a voice firewall—protecting enterprises from spam, robocalls, and social engineering before the phone even rings,” said Vicki Sidor, Head of Sales and Channel at Mutare. At WebexOne, Sidor and Brian McDonald, Director of Product Development at Mutare, spoke with Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, about how Mutare is reshaping enterprise voice security. Best known for its early innovations in voicemail and transcription, Mutare has pivoted in recent years to become a leader in voice threat defense. McDonald explained that while most organizations invest heavily in data and network protection, the voice channel remains a major vulnerability—one increasingly exploited by scammers, robocalls, and deepfakes. Mutare's solution acts as a pre-call voice firewall, analyzing and scoring inbound traffic before it reaches users. Beyond blocking malicious calls, it provides enterprises with visibility and analytics to identify suspicious patterns within their voice environments. At WebexOne, Mutare previewed its newest innovation—Voice Traffic Score for Webex Calling. The tool integrates directly into Cisco's Control Hub, allowing administrators to manage incoming calls based on security scoring. “Even for organizations not using Webex Calling, our solutions fit across Cisco's entire ecosystem—from SBCs to contact centers and carrier networks,” McDonald said. With partnerships across platforms such as Avaya, Genesys, NICE, and Five9, Mutare remains the only platform-agnostic voice firewall designed to safeguard businesses from social engineering and other voice-based threats. “Every enterprise has email and network firewalls,” Sidor added. “It's time they had one for voice.” More at Mutare.

“The days of the old virtual bot type of experiences are slowly going away. End consumers will now experience a more personalized, human-touch type of interaction with AI,” said Chang Chang, Sr. Director of Product, Cloud CX Solutions at Webex. At WebexOne, Chang joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to share how Cisco is transforming customer experience (CX) with AI-driven innovation. Chang explained that Webex AI is designed not to replace human agents but to augment their productivity—from enabling 24/7 support to providing suggested responses, wellness tools, and sentiment analysis. Unlike chatbots, the new Webex AI Agents are fully autonomous, able to perceive context, manage interruptions, and respond empathetically in natural conversation. A highlight of the announcements was Webex AI Quality Management, a breakthrough that applies to both AI and human agents. “You can't scale quality management with humans listening to every call,” Chang said. “AI makes it possible to review 100% of interactions, score them, and recommend improvements—bridging a long-standing quality gap.” Chang also addressed broader themes of future-proofing, emphasizing Cisco's vision of Connected Intelligence that integrates AI at the edge, in the cloud, and in control systems to create seamless, secure, and scalable CX. Integrations with Microsoft Dynamics and other open-platform partnerships reinforce Webex's commitment to meeting customers wherever they are. “Ultimately, it's about sweating the entire end-to-end experience for the consumer,” Chang noted. “AI isn't a trend—it's fundamental to future-proofing customer experience.” More at Webex.

“Two, three, five years from now, the workforce could easily be people working with people, people working with AI, and maybe even AI working with AI,” said Amit Barave, VP of Product Management for Webex. At WebexOne, Barave joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to discuss Cisco's vision for Connected Intelligence and how Webex is positioning AI not as a replacement, but as a workforce enhancer. Barave explained that Webex's new AI Agents are designed to eliminate everyday productivity gaps—capturing meeting notes, recommending attendees, or automating follow-up actions—while keeping human creativity and judgment at the center. “These are tools built for those ‘I wish I had done this' moments,” he noted. The Webex AI strategy rests on three pillars: AI at the Edge – enabling low-latency, privacy-conscious responses. AI in the Cloud – delivering high-performance compute and complex inference. AI in Control – simplifying management, troubleshooting, and service assurance. Barave also emphasized Webex's commitment to an open ecosystem, ensuring seamless integration with enterprise applications, workflows, and vertical software systems. This approach, he said, helps enterprises and partners future-proof their collaboration strategy in a rapidly evolving AI landscape. “From just being a calling and meetings platform, Webex Suite has become an AI-powered conversations and communications platform for the enterprise,” Barave said. “That makes it a compelling choice for customers and partners alike.” More at Webex.

“Asynchronous messaging respects customers' time—and when you meet people where they already are, CSAT, revenue, and retention follow.” — Gareth Bray, Premier CX Gareth Bray, Business Development Director at Premier CX, joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to discuss how WhatsApp is becoming an essential business channel worldwide. Premier CX, originally known for IVR audio and FAQ videos, now leads organizations through a “zero to amazing” journey on WhatsApp, helping them design, integrate, and scale conversational experiences. Bray explained why WhatsApp is booming: Global adoption — >90% of consumers in India & Brazil already use it to talk to businesses; Europe and the U.S. are rapidly following. Convenience — Asynchronous messaging beats long hold times and tethered web chats. Trust — WhatsApp sits alongside family and friends, making it highly personal and effective. The results are clear: companies report higher productivity, lower costs, stronger CSAT, and increased sales and retention. Bray shared examples from retail and utilities where WhatsApp journeys cut handle time, empowered customers, and improved outcomes for all parties. Bottom line: Just as websites once became essential, WhatsApp is the next wave of customer engagement—and businesses that delay risk being left behind. Learn more and try Premier CX's WhatsApp demo at premiercx.co.uk.

"There are over a billion copper lines worldwide that will disappear in the next five to ten years," says Jake Jacoby, CEO of TELCLOUD. "That's why we built our platform from day one to be global—so our partners can meet this challenge anywhere their customers do business." In the latest episode of the TELCLOUD POTS and Shots Podcast Series, Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, sits down with Jacoby to discuss the international scale of the POTS replacement opportunity. While the U.S. still faces the conversion of more than 25 million commercial lines, the global market represents an even larger transformation—with more than a billion lines of legacy copper that must be replaced over the coming decade. Jacoby explains that TELCLOUD's success in the U.S. has driven demand abroad, with active deployments now in Canada, Mexico, Germany, the UK, and additional markets in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America. By engineering devices and a platform ready for worldwide deployment, TELCLOUD enables resellers and carriers to address regional regulations, dial plans, and connectivity challenges while still relying on a single global backend. For channel partners, this means two things: Cross-border opportunity – Many customers already operate in both the U.S. and Canada or Mexico, making international coverage a natural next step. Global scalability – TELCLOUD's cloud-native design and partnerships with providers like AWS GovCloud ensure compliance and reliability, even in highly regulated environments. Jacoby also highlighted the broader industry shift away from aging copper toward fiber, wireless, and satellite connectivity, noting that TELCLOUD's mission is to bridge the gap—supporting legacy equipment with modern, resilient infrastructure that delivers long-term reliability. This episode marks the 20th edition of the POTS and Shots series, and Jacoby reflected on the journey so far: “What started as a creative way to talk about technology has become an educational platform that's helping resellers rethink their role in the copper sunset. We're excited for the next 20.” And true to the Shots tradition, Jacoby shared a special tasting from his travels: the Arete Gran Clase Extra Añejo, a four-year-aged tequila brought to Shanghai as a gift for international partners—underscoring the global theme of this episode. Next in the series: “The Hidden Costs of Doing Nothing.” For more information, visit telcloud.com or call 844-900-2270.

“At TeleMate, our job is to make IT and communications troubleshooting easy,” said Reginald Pearson, VP of Sales & Strategy at TeleMate. At WebexOne in San Diego, Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, spoke with Pearson about how TeleMate delivers observability across the entire Cisco collaboration suite. Pearson explained that TeleMate provides end-to-end visibility for Webex Calling, Webex Contact Center, and messaging platforms—while also supporting hybrid environments that combine on-premises and cloud technologies such as Cisco Call Manager and CUBEs. With a single-pane-of-glass interface, TeleMate aggregates logs, traces, alarms, and analytics to ensure full service assurance for enterprise IT and communications teams. The platform is vendor-neutral, designed to simplify troubleshooting and performance monitoring across complex UC ecosystems. TeleMate's value proposition: faster troubleshooting, better visibility, and proactive assurance that keeps collaboration platforms running smoothly. Learn more at www.telemate.net.

“Our approach is simple: remove the PII from the data stream, and you don't have to worry about compliance,” said Bill Placke, President, Americas at SecurePII. At WebexOne in San Diego, Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, spoke with Jason Thals, COO of BroadSource, and Placke of SecurePII about their finalist recognition in Cisco's Dynamic Duo competition. The joint solution, built on Cisco Webex Contact Center, is designed to unlock AI's potential by enabling enterprises to leverage large language models without exposing sensitive personal data. SecurePII's flagship product, SecureCall, was purpose-built for Webex (and also available on Genesys) to deliver PCI compliance while removing personally identifiable information from voice interactions. This enables organizations to deploy AI and agentic automation confidently, without the regulatory risk tied to data privacy laws across the U.S., GDPR, and beyond. Thals emphasized BroadSource's role in delivering services that complement CCaaS and UCaaS platforms globally, while Placke framed the opportunity for Cisco partners: “This is a super easy bolt-on, available in the Webex App Hub. Customers can be up and running in 30 minutes and compliant.” The collaboration, already proven with a government-regulated client in Australia, is industry-agnostic and scalable from small deployments to 50,000+ users. For Cisco resellers, it represents a powerful, sticky service that integrates seamlessly into channel models while helping enterprises stay compliant as they modernize customer engagement. Learn more at BroadSource and SecurePII.

“We started this company on the belief that the customer experience needs to be better,” says Jim Eckes, Founder of TieTechnology, in a new interview with Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News. That belief has guided TieTechnology's 100% referral-based growth, and it now drives the launch of Jeannie, the company's newest innovation. Jeannie is an all-inclusive softphone designed to work seamlessly with any CRM platform in the world. By unifying voice and customer data, Jeannie empowers businesses to deliver more personalized, efficient, and informed interactions. Unlike traditional softphones, Jeannie integrates directly into customer workflows, ensuring teams don't have to waste time switching between systems. For Eckes, Jeannie is the realization of a long-term vision: “This is my baby, my dream finally put into software.” He explains that Jeannie is not only about customer experience (CX), but also about improving employee experience (EX) — giving teams tools that are easy to use, reliable, and built to simplify communications. Importantly, Jeannie has been designed to be accessible for smaller businesses, ensuring that organizations of all sizes can access enterprise-grade capabilities without the enterprise-level complexity. This democratization of telecom tools reflects TieTechnology's commitment to building solutions that work seamlessly for everyone. Learn more about TieTechnology at www.tietechnology.com.

“Despite what some people might say, voice is not dead. There's still the need to communicate in that fashion,” says Dave Manfredo, Vice President of RLEC Sales at Sinch. At Navigate 25, Manfredo joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to discuss how Sinch is helping rural local exchange carriers (RLECs) and other service providers evolve their communications strategies while balancing current needs with long-term migration. Sinch, a member of the Cloud Communications Alliance (CCA), has grown from its roots in SMS and MMS into a global leader in cloud communications, operating its own network to deliver voice, messaging, and multimedia services. While Manfredo's focus remains on the voice side, Sinch also enables service providers to leverage text, multimedia, and emerging rich communications services. A key challenge for many RLECs is moving from costly TDM circuits to SIP-based solutions. “Our responsibility is to help customers migrate from older technology into SIP so they can enable other solutions for their end users,” Manfredo explained. With Alianza's acquisition of MetaSwitch giving smaller providers more time to plan, many are asking critical questions about the future of voice switching and how to prepare for the next decade. For more information, visit sinch.com.

“It's doing a serviceable job as being an intelligent director—as if you had multiple cameras and a live operator switching views,” said Darren James Knapp, Director, Poly Channel Business Development, North America at HP | Poly. At Navigate 25, Knapp joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, for a live demo of Poly's Studio E70 camera, highlighting its Director AI technology. The system identifies active speakers through face recognition and microphone triangulation, automatically framing the conversation to create a more natural, engaging virtual meeting experience. Also featured in the demo was Mike Hubach, Sr. Business Development Manager – Service Providers at Jenne, who noted that Jenne distributes the full Poly portfolio, including headsets, voice, and video solutions. Together, the team demonstrated advanced features such as group framing and people framing, designed to dynamically adjust views as participants join, ensuring remote meetings stay focused and engaging. Knapp emphasized the roadmap ahead: Poly's conferencing solutions will soon feature multi-camera collaboration, enabling multiple Studio E70s in the same room to coordinate and deliver even more immersive meeting experiences powered by AI. For more information, visit hp.com/us-en/poly.html and jenne.com.

“AI isn't just a buzzword—it's transforming how contact centers and collaboration tools deliver value.” – Gary Pesta, Collaboration Account Executive, Webex At Navigate 25, Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, sat down with Gary Pesta of Cisco's Webex team to explore how Cisco is helping enterprises and service providers meet customer needs with flexible, AI-powered solutions. Cisco's focus, Pesta explained, is on enabling seamless collaboration across voice, video, and customer engagement channels. A centerpiece of that strategy is the Webex Contact Center, now enhanced with AI-powered agents. These can be scripted for predictable tasks or run autonomously, offering customers a real glimpse of what “AI in action” looks like. Pesta also highlighted Cisco's expanding role in CPaaS, where organizations such as utilities and local telcos are using messaging to proactively inform customers of outages, billing, and service updates—meeting customers before frustration turns into a support call. Another innovation drawing attention at the event was the Cisco Desk Pro, a 27-inch AI-enabled collaboration device with built-in noise cancellation and platform flexibility. Whether customers run Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or Webex, the Desk Pro adapts—showing Cisco's commitment to being platform-agnostic while delivering premium quality. As enterprises shape their “back-to-office” strategies, Cisco sees its AI-enabled devices and collaboration platforms as central to enabling hybrid work and customer engagement. Pesta also underscored Cisco's ecosystem partnerships, noting that Cisco's new 9800 series phones are certified for MetaSwitch and Alianza, aligning with the spirit of collaboration at Navigate. For more information on Cisco's collaboration and AI solutions, visit Webex.

“Taxes are a monster, but we tame it and make it digestible,” says CeeJay Barber, Vice President of Business Development at Datagate. At Navigate 25, Barber sat down with Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to explain why billing is one of the toughest challenges facing managed service providers (MSPs)—and how Datagate is helping them streamline the process. Datagate provides a billing platform purpose-built for MSPs in telecom. The system automates everything from call detail record (CDR) ingestion and taxation to PSA integration and unified invoicing. With over 500 service providers on the platform, Barber stressed the importance of compliance in an increasingly fragmented regulatory landscape: “If you try to take it on by yourself, you'll overcomplicate your processes, overspend, and still risk getting it wrong.” One highlight of the discussion was Datagate's new Halo PSA integration for AT&T's Apex channel. The solution allows provisioning, billing, and customer management to occur within a single workflow, eliminating the need for multiple AT&T portal logins and ensuring billing flows seamlessly back into Datagate. Barber emphasized that Datagate is deeply API-driven, making it a strong fit with Alianza and Metaswitch partners. “Any Alianza partner can work with Datagate,” he noted. “If you're providing voice and need it billed and taxed accurately, we can integrate it into your workflow.” With AI-driven innovation, regulatory complexity, and growing MSP demand for bundled services, Barber positioned Datagate as a critical enabler for service providers looking to scale without sacrificing compliance. For more information, visit datagate-i.com.

“Fire alarms, elevators, emergency phones—these systems are mandated by law, and they require reliable communication paths,” says Jake Jacoby, Founder & CEO of TELCLOUD. At Navigate 25, Jacoby spoke with Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, about the growing urgency of replacing traditional copper POTS lines as carriers abandon legacy infrastructure. With deregulation driving up costs and carriers shifting investment to wireless and fiber, millions of POTS-dependent systems are at risk. TELCLOUD provides a backend platform that enables reseller partners to deliver next-generation POTS replacement services. Unlike one-size-fits-all box solutions, TELCLOUD's flexible platform integrates with partners such as Ericsson, Digi, Peplink, and others, ensuring reliable connectivity, 24-hour battery backup, and compliance with NFPA, CAL FIRE, and local fire department codes. Jacoby emphasized that POTS replacement is no longer optional modernization but a legal requirement. “Elevator phones, fire panels—if those lines go down, buildings become unsafe and unusable. Our platform ensures compliance, monitoring, and future-proof reliability.” TELCLOUD has also built direct API integrations with Metaswitch and Alianza, allowing partners to bring their own switching infrastructure and leverage TELCLOUD's expertise to deliver code-compliant solutions. “We're not customer-facing—we're the engine behind the resellers. Customers trust their providers, sometimes for decades. We help those providers deliver POTS replacement the right way.” For more information, visit telcloud.com.

“We are telecom people—and we are here to help service providers grow,” says Melissa Frenyea, VP of Customer Success at CommSoft. At Navigate 25, Frenyea and Bill Griffin, Business Development Officer at CommSoft, joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to discuss how the company's decades of experience in billing and operations support systems (BSS/OSS) is helping providers—especially rural carriers—succeed in a rapidly evolving communications landscape. CommSoft, originally founded as Communication Software Consultants, delivers billing, provisioning, service order, and trouble-ticketing systems, as well as staff augmentation and full billing department services. Beyond software, the company leverages hundreds of years of combined telecom expertise to help providers run their businesses more efficiently and strategically. Griffin emphasized that the industry is shifting from competition to collaboration: “A bedfellow you would have considered a competitor five years ago is now a partner. Partnerships are paramount in 2025 to give carriers the best solutions in a very different landscape.” Frenyea added that integration is key: “We connect customer data, networks, and services so providers can monetize new opportunities—from AI-powered services to advanced analytics.” As Alianza and Metaswitch unite to expand opportunities for service providers, CommSoft sees its mission clearly: empowering providers to build the future while ensuring reliable, high-quality communications for every community. For more information, visit commsoft.net.

“There are 15 million ILEC subscribers across the U.S., often in the most hard-to-reach areas. We help them modernize while maintaining their TDM needs,” says Maximilien Le Sieur, CEO of TelcoBridges. At Navigate 25, Le Sieur spoke with Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, about how TelcoBridges is partnering with Alianza and ILECs to ensure reliable, future-ready voice networks while keeping regulatory compliance intact. When Microsoft ended support for the UMG, MetaSwitch selected TelcoBridges as its integration partner, embedding the company's T-Media gateways into the MetaSwitch suite. With Alianza's acquisition of MetaSwitch, that collaboration has deepened—allowing ILECs to modernize networks while meeting NECA requirements and maintaining universal service funding. Le Sieur noted that TelcoBridges' T-Media line continues to provide rock-solid performance in the field, while the company works closely with Alianza to support ILECs facing UCaaS competition. “Service providers are excited about delivering great UCaaS services for their business customers,” he said. “We play a small role in making sure the infrastructure is up to date and ready.” Looking ahead, TelcoBridges is focused on expanding partnerships with Alianza, MetaSwitch, and rural carriers with legacy systems. “We're excited to support this ecosystem of service providers across the U.S.,” Le Sieur emphasized. For more information, visit telcobridges.com.