In CaaS news this week, snom technology announced that its snom 3xx series IP desktop phone systems are now  interoperable with Interactive Intelligence’s (News - Alert) unified business communications solutions, Customer Interaction Center (CIC). This grouping of snom phones and Interactive Intelligence’s all-in-one IP communications software suite will offer enterprises and contact centers an affordable, enhanced and streamlined SIP-based unified communications solution that is capable of managing dozens to hundreds of unique endpoints.

“We've worked closely with snom for years to ensure our joint customers get a reliable solution,” said Joe Staples (News - Alert), Interactive Intelligence chief marketing officer. “With snom's completion of interoperability testing, these solutions now offer our joint customers additional support resources for even faster deployment and user satisfaction.”

Elsewhere, to develop and support innovative voice applications for users, Singlewire Software, LLC, has released several free applications for use on most models of Cisco (News - Alert) IP phones. The applications offer helpful answers to commonly asked questions such as currency conversion, local time, and local weather.

Zendesk, the leading provider of cloud-based help desk software, joined industry partners to announce NetworkedHelpDesk.org, an initiative to create seamless communication among multiple partners and suppliers to deliver an unprecedented customer experience.

8x8 (News - Alert), Inc., a provider of innovative business communications and cloud computing solutions, has announced that it has surpassed 25,000 businesses subscribing to its cloud VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), video conferencing, unified communications (UC) and managed hosting services.

Also, HP unveiled enhancements to its hybrid delivery cloud solutions aimed at helping telecom companies reach small and medium business customers. This comes just after HP revealed that it’s offering customers financial assistance to help them adopt cloud communications.       

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2011, taking place Sept. 13-15, 2011, in Austin, Texas. ITEXPO (News - Alert) offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. To register, click here.

John Lahtinen is Community Development Editor for TMCnet. He has more than 15 years of combined professional and educational experience involving news, education, and marketing. John holds a master's degree in journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and a bachelor's degree in English from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.