Avaya today launched a pair of multichannel unified communications and contact center hybrid cloud solutions targeted for the midmarket. Called Avaya Midmarket Cloud, the solutions are Powered by Avaya IP Office and OnAvaya-Google Cloud Platform.
Both solutions enable Avaya channel partners to move midsized companies to the cloud at their own pace, according to Michael Kuch, senior director of Avaya's Cloud Segment Leadership Group. "It makes it very easy and convenient for partners," he says.
The Powered by Avaya IP Office solution is a cloud option for channel partners who want to install the solution in the data center of their choice. Tested and proven during controlled introductions with 10 Avaya channel partners, Partner Powered by Avaya IP Office is already serving several thousand end-users in North America and Europe.
The OnAvaya-Google Cloud Platform is currently only available in the United States. It was announced last spring and has been broadened to make it easier for partners that do not have the infrastructure to host and manage their own clouds. The solution also has been expanded to include full unified communications as well as multichannel contact center capabilities.
"Both offers are identical, but the difference is who';s doing the hosting,: Kuch explains.
The two products also use the same code base as those installed on premises. "We're taking our on-premises features and putting them in the cloud," Kuch says. "Customers can move to the cloud without giving up anything."
Powered by Avaya IP Office and OnAvaya-Google Cloud Platform both leverage "a lot that our customers already know from Avaya," Kuch says. "They build on Avaya's technology heritage in unified communications and the contact center."
Avaya Midmarket Cloud Solutions now support full, multichannel unified communications and contact center capabilities, more operating systems and devices (Windows, Mac, and Google's Chrome OS), as well as the unique capabilities of Avaya Communicator for Web that enables communications from any browser-based application.
"Avaya channel partners have a significant role to play in cloud deployments for midsized companies with their established knowledge of the customer and expertise with Avaya products. Now, they have even more flexibility with which to approach the customer by offering hybrid cloud solutions in a market that has considerable growth potential and is looking for a cost-effective path to advanced communications," said Steve Biondi, global channel chief at Avaya, in a statement.
"The cloud is taking off," Kuch adds. "Everything is moving to the cloud. We were strong in on-premises, and now we want to move our partners and their customers to the cloud, but at their own pace."
According to Kuch, the solutions are expected to see widespread adoption in the insurance, travel, hospitality, and automotive industries, among others. "There are a lot of great use cases for this in contact centers," he says.