7 Hot Stories: Zoom Security Problems, Top UCaaS Providers

Zoom security problems, Poly’s long-anticipated consolidated partner program, and Channel Partners’ convergence of its two annual conferences into one big show this fall caught readers’ attention this week.

Our latest weekly roundup also includes the latest version of one of our popular CP 20 series and partner program updates. View the seven mini-stories below to see what you missed this week.

7. Channel Partners Conference & Evolution: Here’s What You Can Expect

Last month, Channel Partners had to make the very difficult decision to postpone its flagship spring event, Channel Partners Conference & Expo, thanks to escalating concerns over COVID-19.

The event was set to heavily emphasize education, with sessions based on partner feedback, a preconference workshop, and a slew of downloadable materials to accompany most sessions.

After much research and discussion, it was decided the best course of action would be to combine the spring event with the fall show, Channel Partners Evolution.

Almost all of the content programmed for Expo will be included. The sales training, business best practices and security education are applicable to both audiences. More IT folks will be on the keynote stages and new sessions will focus on additional technologies.

Kris Blackmon shared details of the converged fall event.

6. Poly Partner Program Combines Best of Polycom and Plantronics

A few months short of two years since Plantronics bought Polycom, the rebranded company, Poly, rolled out its consolidated partner program.

Nick Tidd is Poly’s vice president of global channel sales. He tells us the new program combines the best of the old Polycom and Plantronics programs under one umbrella.

The new Poly program brings together more than 15,000 global Plantronics and Polycom partners. It focuses on the needs of various partner types and goes beyond a strictly revenue-based model.

Our report covers more details.

5. ConvergeOne Rolls Out Collaboration Solution with Avaya Cloud Office

Readers are following our coverage of the rollout of Avaya Cloud Office, and this week ConvergeOne launched a new collaboration with Avaya for the solution.

ConvergeOne Cloud Experience (C1CX) with Avaya Cloud Office expands the company’s midmarket portfolio. Customers can simplify management of their communication system and get the full suite of collaboration features in a single application.

A lot is riding on the success of Avaya Cloud Office as Steve Forcum, Avaya technologist, told us at Avaya Engage that it is “one of the growth pillars of the company.”

Here’s our coverage of ConvergeOne’s announcement.

4. SolarWinds, IBM, McAfee Among Leaders in SIEM Security Market

Security information and event management (SIEM) is going to remain a hot market for the channel.

And MarketsandMarkets anticipates the global market will reach $5.5 billion by 2025. The market now is worth $4.2 billion.

Major SIEM security vendors include SolarWinds, IBM, McAfee, Splunk, Sumo Logic, Exabeam, Alert Logic AlienVault and Fortinet.

Market drivers include the need for continuous monitoring and incident response, adhering to compliance requirements, gaining and maintaining certifications, and managing and retaining logs.

Find out more in our report.

3. Partner Program Updates: Zoom, Windstream Launch Major Changes

James Anderson’s latest monthly recap covered all the partner program changes in March.

Among the highlights, Windstream Enterprise rolled out its new partner portal, while Zoom launched a master agent referral partner program.

But wait, there’s more. Telia Carrier claimed to have “no channel conflict” in its new channel program. And AppSmart signed a deal that will help partners make more informed technology recommendations for customers.

Check out James’ gallery for the scoop.

2. 20 Top UCaaS Providers for 2020: The CP List Version 3

Have you seen who made the cut? This week, we rolled out our …

… third annual CP 20 list of 20 top UCaaS providers for 2020.

Analysts and other experts told us who belonged on the list. And they shared insights on what’s now driving the market and who’s making the most of it.

And one analyst shared his thoughts on how UCaaS providers are being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This popular CP 20 includes lots of regulars, like Avaya, Cisco and RingCentral, along with some new entrants like Dialpad, PGi and Wazo.

Check out our latest list.

1. Zoom ‘Lied,’ Faces Criticism for Newly Discovered Lax Security Practices

Zoom security problems are providing a lot of headaches for the company.

Despite apologizing last week after the FBI warned that “Zoom-bombers” were hijacking Zoom meetings with pornographic images, New York City’s Department of Education barred use of the service, recommending Microsoft Teams instead.

Likewise, other school districts throughout the U.S. pulled the plug on Zoom because of the lax security practices. NASA, SpaceX and the governments of Australia and Taiwan are among the latest to ban use of Zoom.

There’s sure to be more drama ahead.

Jeff Schwartz has all the news about Zoom security problems from this week.