Global Crossing recently launched the first phase of its planned network-centric, cloud based solutions, introducing the company’s Communications as a Service (CaaS). CaaS provides on-demand, “pay-as-you-grow” capabilities designed to simplify a business’s audio conferencing experience with a single-service, cloud-based model.
Global Crossing recently launched the first phase of its planned network-centric, cloud based solutions, introducing the company’s Communications as a Service (CaaS). CaaS provides on-demand, “pay-as-you-grow” capabilities designed to simplify a business’ audio conferencing experience with a single-service, cloud-based model.
The company’s first foray with audio conferencing using CaaS combines the company’s Global Crossing IP VPN, Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) Trunking, and Global Crossing Ready Access hosted audio conferencing services.
Among the features included with the conferencing service is “Global Crossing Connect Mobile,” offering users a standard application programming interface (API) so they can join or host an audio conference from compatible mobile devices by clicking on an icon. The mobile application also syncs meetings with users’ calendars.
Global Crossing CaaS offers a “shared-seat” billing model with a monthly fee for unlimited global audio conferencing minutes, providing customers more predictable billing than per-minute pricing. CaaS also is integrated into Global Crossing’s customer portal to provide seat-based usage reporting.
In a “uses what you sell” example, Global Crossing is using CaaS through its own internal implementation in each of its locations around the world, decreasing the company’s annual telecommunications spend by 30%, according to the company’s statement.
Future plans for the CaaS portfolio call for “video, telephony and IT services, including Instant Messaging, presence and e-mail,” according to a statement from Anthony Christie, chief technology and information officer for Global Crossing. He continued by saying, “Global Crossing CaaS is integral to our global cloud solution strategy.”
Global Crossing’s roadmap also calls for additional cloud solutions including virtual compute, storage and infrastructure capabilities, and a security offer (providing dynamic firewall, intrusion detection and e-mail filtering). Other planned additions include a hosted application development environment and hosted software applications to support strategic opportunities.
