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I’d like to take a minute to acknowledge the tremendous accomplishment we’ve achieved together this past quarter: 24% year-over-year growth in Collaboration. That’s massive! This is only possible with the help of our partners and all the hard work that you do. And for that, thank you.

To thank you even more, our collaboration team has delivered new innovations to drive intelligent experiences for you and your customers. These latest announcements are game-changers in the way customers work and interact with the technology needed to get things done.

Cisco announced today how Artificial Intelligence is being integrated across the portfolio. It will enable endless possibilities for your customers and provide you with the X-factor in collaboration.

This is the age of Cognitive Collaboration

What is Cognitive Collaboration. For us, it means using AI and ML to bring context AND intelligence to meetings. Features such as people insights, facial recognition, and voice assistant are helping to increase productive and make work more seamless. These benefits extend beyond the day-to-day users. In-room analytics through sensors and software allow IT administrators to make smarter decisions. Sell an intelligent way of working that lets employees focus on higher-value work by removing the friction points from their workflows. And with new Collaboration Flex Plan bundle, we’ve simplified buying and selling for your customers and you.

Here’s what Joe Berger, Practice Director, Collaboration and End User Computing for World Wide Technology had to say about the opportunity for both partners and customers. “With the announcement of Cognitive Collaboration, Cisco has evolved their collaboration portfolio to create a more intuitive and interactive user experience. We’re excited about how this will improve the employee experience as well as allow businesses to better support their end customers. By enabling AI and analytics, Cisco has not only simplified the Webex experience but also create more insight into the overall meeting. We believe this provides tremendous value to any size organization.”

Intelligent customer journeys with Customer Insights

We are also bringing AI and analytics to the contact center. With Customer Insights, customers can deliver proactive and personal customer care, and meaningful customer experiences. We’ve figured out how to bring this to the millions of agents who use our on-premise solutions. This ability to streamline business processes within the contact center is a huge opportunity for you.

Don’t forget about your refresh opportunities. As our customer journey and contact center solutions are evolving, you have the opening to introduce refreshed hardware and accessories with our latest MPP phones and Cisco headsets.

The next step in delivering cloud calling

We’re excited to announce the next phase of Webex Calling from the Cisco Cloud. While the estimated cloud calling market penetration rate today is at 14 percent of the global user install base, Gartner and MZA forecast that annual cloud calling revenues will surpass on-premises system sales sometime in 2020. Webex Calling allows Cisco VARs to differentiate and win by offering a cloud-based, communications, and collaboration solution, packed with all the enterprise-grade features of a PBX. It’s integrated with Webex Teams and Devices and you can add on Webex Meetings to make the most complete, business-ready bundle on the market bearing the trusted Cisco Webex brand. Take advantage of this large, rapidly growing, and highly profitable revenue opportunity.

These are a few of all the exciting announcements. Go to the Partner Communities launch page and get more info on what’s new.

And don’t forget, we’re making a huge splash at Enterprise Connect this week by showcasing our leadership’s vision and our newest innovations. Tune into Amy Chang’s keynote on main stage tomorrow at 10:00am ET. Not at Enterprise Connect? Watch the live stream of Amy’s keynote.

 



Authors

Cherie Caldwell

Global Director, Collaboration GTM

Global Partner Organization