Fuze, Samsung Aim to Capitalize on 5G, IoT Together

Fuze and Samsung Electronics America are partnering to tackle some of the industry’s hottest technologies.

The cloud communications provider and mobile device manufacturer announced their goal of a long-term partnership that includes but is not limited to enhancing compatibility between Fuze software and Samsung hardware. They are unveiling their first collaborative effort this week at Enterprise Connect.

The companies say combining Samsung’s mobile devices with Fuze’s software and services will meet demand for 5G, the internet of things (IoT) and machine-learning solutions. Those three technologies are converging and reshaping the modern workforce, according to the announcement.

Taher Behbehani, senior vice president and general manager of Samsung for Business, said Monday that his company can better remove “collaboration barriers” for enterprise customers because of the Fuze partnership. He said Fuze brings agility and flexibility, which are highly demanded characteristics of today’s workforce.

Samsung’s Taher Behbehani

“The 5G era is here and it is dramatically changing how the global workforce uses and communicates with technology,” said Behbehani, who is a former BroadSoft executive well acquainted with the UCaaS world. “As the device manufacturer of choice for leading enterprises and front-line workers, we are constantly striving to help our customers do business.”

The companies recently tag-teamed to put their solutions in more than 15,000 Waste Management trucks. That use case, which they are spotlighting at Enterprise Connect, reduced cost and complexity, and improved safety.

Samsung and Fuze offered concrete examples of how else they might collaborate. The Fuze huddle room could run through Samsung Galaxy tablets, and Fuze can tailor its UCaaS platform for upcoming Samsung devices like the Galaxy Fold smartphone. Fuze also suggested that it may build productivity solutions around Samsung’s Dex solution, which gives mobile devices a desktop-like experience.

Samsung and Fuze mentioned manufacturing, transportation, farming and health-care among many verticals whose workers – especially those in remote locations – will engage more often and more efficiently as employers support them working in a “mobile workplace.”

Fuze’s Colin Doherty

“With Fuze software and Samsung devices together, enterprise organizations can ensure they are future-proofing investments, while also unlocking future potential tied to the increased availability of 5G. By breaking down the barriers that enable employees to do their best work, organizations are no longer constrained by where the work is done or where to find and hire the best talent,” Fuze CEO Colin Doherty said. “By expanding our Samsung relationship, Fuze is empowering organizations to be more agile and competitive as they enable the next generation of digital workers with leading hardware and software optimized for seamless collaboration.”

Fuze was one of our 20 top UcaaS providers last year. The company expanded its channel partner program with the aim of attracting new resellers.

Samsung has been pursuing partnerships around 5G. Last month it announced an exclusive opportunity for Verizon to sell its new 5G phones. Verizon and its partners will resell the Galaxy 10 5G device before the other carriers get their hands on it.

Our sister site Light Reading caught up with Samsung’s vice president of strategy and business development at MWC Barcelona last month to learn more about Samsung’s 5G developments.