eZuce offers openUC, a robust communications solution for enterprise. openUC is just one license. The MSRP per license is $65 annually and that includes Level 3 support. openUC targets the mid to large enterprise from 200–10,000 seats. eZuce has an exclusive agreement made with Ronco Communications & Electronics, an elite Nortel partner and platinum Avaya partner.
Where Does it Fit?
openUC fits into companies that are migrating from legacy TDM and or IP systems that may also be from different inventories (manufacturers). openUC uses a gateway with QSIG for legacy TDM integration. Then, openUC can serve to offload existing IP-PBX traffic from the ingress point to the feature server. So whether you are contemplating an all out replacement, migration strategy or to capture UC features using your existing infrastructure--openUC may fit.
But there's also the question of users' desktops (Microsoft, Linux, Apple) and their mobile devices. eZuce connects to those various desktops and mobile devices today with several choices in clients.
After speaking with Martin Steinmann, CEO of eZuce, he really drove home a key picture after showing me Avaya's Aura--the Marketing Concept. (See slide below)
Companies may be asking, “Why would I offload existing IP-PBX traffic to eZuce?” Maybe because it’s easier, practical, low cost to own and manage and allows you to protect your embedded base of assets. There’s just one license. It could also be that one database and the ability to integrate into CRM (sales, service and support apps), ERP (operational/mfg) and financial systems. I don’t think there's an immaturity hook awaiting you as Cisco found in Lync.
Ronco's agreement to sell eZuce is also telling. I think the past concerns about Avaya purchasing Nortel have caught up with present day concerns of how to cost effectively migrate enterprise communications to the data center cost effectively. Ronco's ability to transition Avaya and Nortel customers over to eZuce should be real interesting in the coming months. The enterprise voice market is fractured, very fractured. But that doesn’t mean folks aren’t digging in, protecting their turfs and building their forces with other solutions. Ronco made a strategic choice and I think the choices that Avaya and Microsoft have yet to make are going to hinge on simplicity. Whether it's reduction of hardware components, software licenses or just making it easy to do business with another company--these aren’t bad things, and sometimes less is more.
