Tandberg, Avaya push video

Tandberg and Avaya are making moves in the video collaboration space, states eWeek.

Tandberg has unveiled EX90, which extends the company's telepresence capabilities to the desk. The EX90 brings the functions available in Tandberg's Telepresence offering, including video and audio quality, and InTouch touchscreen interface, to a personal video collaboration experience.

The technology will give business executives an easier way to communicate with employees, customers and partners through a telepresence environment, according to Tandberg officials.

Pegasystems will acquire Chordiant for roughly $161.5 million, adding CRM and analytics capabilities to its BPM stable of applications. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter, reports Business Week.

Pegasystems' strength lies in automating business processes, while Chordiant's focus is on "the customer conversation," says Alan Trefler, CEO of Pegasystems. "How do you make sure the right thing is said to the customer? How do you make sure the best product is offered to the customer? We envision having something that will look to prospective buyers like a well-integrated set of concepts."

The deal makes sense, as Chordiant has sold 'process-focused' CRM products, says Altimeter Group analyst Ray Wang. Both companies also have a heavy focus on verticals such as health care and insurance.

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is after a supplier to provide recruitment contact centre support for the next two years. It has the option of renewing this for another two years, writes Reseller News.

Call volumes last year reached over 38 000 calls. The successful supplier must provide a service that is fully operational at all times, and can manage fluctuations in call volumes during recruitment campaigns.

All calls will need to be answered by an operator. NZDF is also considering future uses for the contact centre such as social media contact management and VOIP calls.