Wavenet has entered into a significant strategic partnership with 8×8, an American cloud communications provider, indicating a growing integration trend within the enterprise communications industry. This collaboration allows Wavenet to incorporate 8×8’s communication and contact-centre solutions into its managed services, providing a comprehensive platform for voice, messaging, and customer engagement.
Barry Ward, Director at Wavenet stated, “Working this closely with 8×8 gives us a unique ability to transform how businesses communicate, particularly those upgrading from legacy systems, and wishing to enhance their customer and staff experiences.”
This move aligns with global efforts to streamline communications systems hastily developed during the pandemic, reflecting the need for centralized and integrated cloud solutions. As businesses look for efficient systems, partners like 8×8 have sought European expansion by merging software platforms with localized services. Wavenet, managing over 22,000 organizations, anticipates enhancing its cloud and contact centre capabilities, crucial for sectors with stringent compliance standards.
For 8×8, cooperating with Wavenet provides essential access to the UK and European markets, capitalizing on Wavenet’s deep regulatory insight. Meanwhile, Wavenet benefits from integrating a globally recognized technology platform, circumventing the need for in-house system development.
The European market’s appetite for UCaaS and CCaaS is projected to grow annually by 12–15% through 2030, driven by demands for adaptability and data integration. The partnership is a testament to the industry’s reliance on managed service providers to deliver sophisticated enterprise solutions. These platforms increasingly feature AI-driven analytics and require technical expertise for effective deployment.
This strategic shift has broad implications. Firstly, communications systems are now fundamental to IT and customer experience strategies, dissolving the divide between operational technology roles. Secondly, service providers like Wavenet are pivotal, offering unified solutions backed by cybersecurity and compliance knowledge, particularly essential in regulated sectors. Lastly, AI’s role in communication tools enhances data management, routing analytics, and overall service performance.
However, such partnerships introduce risks. Relying heavily on one vendor can result in dependency, raising concerns about interoperability and resilience within multi-tenant cloud environments. Consequently, CIOs must balance the integration benefits against potential governance issues.
While the alliance between Wavenet and 8×8 might not revolutionize the market, it exemplifies a shift toward convergence and data-centric optimization. Communications infrastructure is now a strategic element of the digital workspace. Strategic collaborations, merging global platforms with localized service delivery, will increasingly influence organizational technology investment decisions. The success of the Wavenet and 8×8 model may depend more on execution than technology itself as they navigate a rapidly evolving market.
