Work From Everywhere

Hybrid work has necessitated a shift in meeting styles to include a mix of in-office attendees and remote employees. It’s a mix that’s not changing. In fact, unified communications collaboration revenue, including videoconferencing software and cloud services, had increased 10.2 percent annually by mid-2022 and Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) revenue, including hosted voice, grew 17 percent year over year. Revenue for enterprise videoconferencing room endpoints for larger spaces increased 15.6 percent during the third quarter of 2022 year over year and huddle room endpoint revenue increased 24.7 percent year over year by September 2022, according to a report from research firm IDC.

These offerings are underpinning many a hybrid work environment today. Leading collaboration players such as Microsoft with Teams, Zoom Video Communications and Cisco Systems with Webex emerged as the frontrunners in this space nearly three years ago, but many UCaaS and videoconferencing specialists quickly came to the table with their own offerings packed with capabilities to help keep teams connected. At the same time, emphasis on Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) is increasing at a time when hybrid work is king, and boutique CCaaS providers are partnering with larger collaboration and UCaaS providers to create a platform approach to communications for internal and external use for businesses.

From the largest collaboration and videoconferencing leaders to the UCaaS and contact center specialists that have been building out their platforms with new features for enterprises and SMBs alike, here are 10 of the hottest collaboration tools of 2022.

* 8x8 Conversation IQ

* Avaya Cloud Office

* Cisco Webex Go

* Google Workspace

* GoTo Connect

* Intermedia Unite

* NWN Carousel Office Collaboration Room-as-a-Service

* Microsoft Teams

* Qumu Live

* Zoom Phone