IT services provider Empired has been selected for the early adopter program for the newly launched Telstra Calling for Office 365 service.
Telstra and Microsoft formally launched the service on Tuesday with more than 30 ‘Early Adopters’ already using Telstra Calling for Office 365, and 200 customers taking part in a preview program over the last six months.
Empired says it has been working with Telstra, Microsoft, and six other early adopter partners to ensure that the solution being rolled out delivers the best value for Australian customers, and is currently working with several customers as part of the program.
A publicly listed national IT services provider originating in Perth, Empired (ASX:EPD) says it sees an opportunity for existing Office 365 customer who will now be able to leverage additional value from the platform through access to Telstra Calling for Office 365 as well as for customers who might not be there yet.
{loadposition peter}Jaen Snyman, national business manager – cloud design and integration, Empired, said, “Australian organisations have been asking for cloud voice for a long time. With Telstra Calling for Office 365 this is now a possibility”.
“The new solution represents significant value for customers and can be compared to the shift that occurred when Microsoft introduced Office 365 and organisations could move applications to the cloud. Now they’ll be able to move telephony and unified communications to the cloud all through the same platform.
“As a Microsoft Gold partner with a Microsoft MVP and MCM, as well as a Telstra partner, it’s important for Empired to be ahead of the curve in areas that we specialise in, and communications is one of those areas. Empired’s credibility in this space helped ensure our selection in the early adopter program and we’re excited to see how the first customers can benefit from this new offering.”
According to Michelle Bendschneider, Executive Director of Global Products, Telstra, interest in the product has been very strong.
Bendschneider says customers and partners taking part in the early adopter program are realising the benefits of moving their voice services to the cloud, with members of the trial group saying it empowers their employees to adopt a “truly modern way of working”.
“We are always looking for ways we can make it easier for our customers to connect. Telstra Calling for Office 365 brings the full scope of Office 365’s cloud productivity and collaboration apps – including video conferencing and meeting broadcast capabilities – alongside Telstra voice calling. By combining what have traditionally been separate collaboration channels, we’re helping to increase productivity while simplifying the experience for employees,” Bendschneider said.