The Weekly Wrap: Layoffs, Windstream Ethernet and More Layoffs

Tech folk received bad news this week.

Our two most-read stories of the last seven days involved a corporation issuing the dreaded “restructuring” notice. Both companies cited the need to refocus on new technologies. Oracle in particular is emphasizing an overall shift to cloud. That’s bad news for co-workers who trained for technologies that we now describe as “legacy.”

We did write about happier stories this week, and you’ll find that at the top of our top 7 list. We’ve prepared for you a ranking of our most “clicked” stories.

7. Windstream Wholesale Increases Ethernet Services Footprint

Windstream Wholesale made serious upgrades to its Ethernet services.

The CLEC increased its footprint with 400,000 new Ethernet service locations, and it plans to add more this year. Windstream’s Ethernet works in tandem with its 150,000-mile fiber footprint. The company’s executive vice president said the fixed wireless offering surpasses its rivals in “breadth and depth” of coverage.

It’s a needed distraction from Windstream’s recent bankruptcy drama.

Learn more about Windstream Wholesale.

6. Spectrum Enterprise Nabs Avaya, Time Warner Cable Alum

A former member of Time Warner Cable is returning to the company … in a sense.

Brian Snortheim, who worked at TWC for more than 15 years, joined Spectrum Enterprise to direct its enterprise channel sales. Spectrum is the result of Charter Communications buying TWC and Bright House Networks in 2016.

Snortheim’s ties to the channel run deep. He went on a journey outside the cable world from 2016 to 2019, working with a UCaaS company and your friendly neighborhood Channel Partners team.

Read about what Spectrum expects from Snortheim in his new role.

5. Cisco Brings AI to Webex Meetings with ‘Cognitive Collaboration’

The networking giant will create a virtual assistant to enhance its Webex Meetings.

Amy Chang, senior vice president of Cisco’s collaboration technology group, told an Enterprise Connect audience that her company is working to put more AI into its collaboration and voice platforms. Webex Assistant and Facial Recognition will come out this summer.

Cisco will also bring AI into its Jabber call-center platform. Chang previously served as CEO of Accompany, which Cisco bought last year to utilize some of the aforementioned capabilities.

Read about Cisco’s vision.

4. The Rise of ‘IoT in a Box’ and the Sales Opportunity

Two internet-of-things experts will debate how partners should deliver the hot technology.

Steve Brumer and Natasha Royer Coons’ discussion concerns bundled IoT. Is it most effective for vendors and their partners to give customers prepackaged solutions that combine hardware, software and connectivity, or is it best to customize?

They’ll speak at our upcoming conference, so we threw a few questions at them to get a preview. Check out the Q&A.

3. Avaya Said to be Considering $5 Billion Buyout

Juicy Avaya rumors make life the wonderful thing we know it to be.

Reuters reported that the communications company might accept a $5 billion buyout offer from a private-equity firm. A 451 Research analyst told us that the deal would be wise if Avaya were to continue growing at a “fast pace.”

The prospective buyer as well as the “people familiar with the matter” are unknown, and you can bet that Avaya isn’t … commenting on the story.

Read Edward Gately’s exploration of the rumors.

2 .SAP Restructuring Prompts Thousands of Job Cuts

The German company is making cuts …

… “across all board areas.”

450 Californians will be out of work as a result of the restructuring. Those tend to be developers, development experts and product experts. The San Ramon, South San Francisco and Palo Alto offices will lose people when the layoffs take effect after May 15.

SAP said it is trying to adapt to market demands. Learn more about the tough news.

1. Oracle Layoffs Update: 350-Plus Workers Cut in California

Another company is letting go of workers on the basis of technology transformation.

Edward Gately wrote last week that Oracle would be cutting “hundreds” as it focused its operations on the cloud.

Now an update shows that the company will lay off 352 California employees. Their last day looks to be May 21. Oracle, which has 140,000 employees globally, said it needs to reevaluate its product set.

Read about the Oracle shake-up.