LogMeIn has launched main updates to GoToConnect, its Unified Communications and Collaboration (UCC) software program, together with native integrations with Microsoft Groups; updates to its Cloud Contact Heart-as-a-Service (CCaaS) programs; updates to its cell providing; and bundling choices that carry collectively different LogMeIn merchandise like LastPass, GoToWebinar, and GoToAssist.
The strikes mirror shifts in how persons are working due to the pandemic, with workers not tied to the identical desk in an workplace from 9 a.m. to five p.m., 5 days every week.
The shift to distant work is prone to proceed, based on Raul Castanon, senior analyst in workforce productiveness and collaboration at 451 Analysis S&P World Market intelligence.
Latest 451 Analysis signifies that 45% of corporations anticipate to cut back their bodily workplace footprint, whereas 37% will broaden or add collaboration areas comparable to convention rooms and huddle rooms, he mentioned. One other 45% are investing in contactless applied sciences comparable to biometrics and voice person interfaces and 17% are changing on-premises PBX with cloud-based telephony.
Paul Gentile, senior director of product advertising at LogMeIn, mentioned IT resolution makers want to consider methods to optimize the software program they use to make sure that hybrid work is, “[successful] for workers that want assist and for patrons that they will work together and have interaction with them otherwise.
Additionally they must tie in safety measures, as a result of as IT resolution makers that report right into a CTO or CIO, there’s at all times going to be concern about how a lot vulnerability they’ve at stake,” Gentile ssid. “The concept distant work is absolutely associated to and solely focuses on video conferencing or video conferences is a fallacy.”
New GoToConnect options
The up to date GoToConnect gives customers a brand new cell UI designed to make workers extra productive by, for instance, permitting them to obtain and make work calls on a cell system with out utilizing their private quantity. It additionally gives options comparable to Discover Me and Comply with Me, Advance Name Flip, Shared Extension, and Voicemail Transcriptions.
LogMeIn can also be seeking to bolster productiveness in cloud-based contact facilities, which have proved essential to some corporations’ capacity to take care of enterprise continuity.
“These cloud deployments are going to be extra crucial than ever earlier than when clients begin to consider optimizing their tech stack,” mentioned Gentile. “It’s not simply with UCC, however with our distant assist and administration options, with our safety id and entry administration answer with LastPass password safety. We’ve created one single SKU, one supply mechanism for all of those items introduced collectively underneath one roof.”
Native integrations have additionally been made with Microsoft Groups to simplify and enhance workflow. These enable customers to proceed to make use of Microsoft Groups with GoToConnect, powering their telephony service on the again finish with direct routing capabilities. It additionally helps options comparable to click-to-call and person presence with out having to change out of the Groups app.
Castanon mentioned the updates introduced this week ought to be welcome information for LogMeIn clients “Options comparable to an enhanced mobility expertise and voicemail transcriptions, in addition to enhanced admin and assist capabilities, ought to enable the corporate to higher tackle the necessities of the hybrid/distant workforce,” he mentioned.
Simplifying the tech stack
In line with Gentile, conversations with clients and analysts over the previous 12 months discovered that the majority clients want to simplify their tech choices, with patrons turning to 1 vendor/one platform choices or best-of-breed choices — all of them underpinned by cloud expertise.
“Some employers went rogue in the best way that they went about utilizing completely different distant instruments [at the start of the pandemic]. Now, 2021 is about them making an attempt to consolidate, getting their arms again round this [issue] and doing so, whereas nonetheless sustaining the concept you can be wherever you need, and nonetheless be productive,” he mentioned.
In a post-pandemic world, Gentile mentioned work instruments have to be versatile, cloud-based, safe, and straightforward to purchase, deploy, and use. “…Simplicity is paramount so far as them having the ability to make … positive that they are saving {dollars},” he mentioned.
Pricing for GoToConnect varies, relying on what degree of service an organization needs and what number of workers it has. Prices vary from $22 to $39 per person per 30 days.
Castanon mentioned distant work will proceed to be an possibility for a lot of staff for the forseeable future.
“That is an intensely aggressive house; nonetheless, it’s honest to say that LogMeIn has a leg up with merchandise comparable to LastPass and GoToAssist which have been designed for these use instances,” he mentioned. “Bringing them collectively to boost GoToConnect may enable the corporate to place itself as a UCC platform for hybrid/distant workforce and differentiate from its competitors.”