Telecom Lead America: ShoreTel, a provider of cloud-based
business phone system and communication solutions with unified communications
and contact center capabilities, has completed its acquisition of M5 Networks.
The addition of M5 hosted Unified Communications
portfolio, ShoreTel will be able to offer both on-premise and hosted VoIP and
UC solutions. This will enable ShoreTel to attract new customers, open new
channels, and increase revenue streams at a time when companies are
increasingly considering cloud-based services.
Purchasing an established provider of hosted
communications and contact center services is a game-changing move that
promises to differentiate ShoreTel significantly from its traditional
competitors in the market for UC and contact center solutions,” said analyst
Brian Riggs of Current Analysis.
The acquisition will accelerate ShoreTel’s ability to
enter the cloud market and add value to customers. ShoreTel continues to offer
IP telephony and UC solutions with the lowest TCO and highest customer
satisfaction in the industry.
When I joined the company just over one year ago, I
outlined a strategic plan that included three priorities: continuing to grow
market share in our core premise-based business both domestically and
internationally, launching ShoreTel Mobility for integrating smartphones and
tablets with IP PBX systems, and introducing a cloud-based hosted solution.
Now, with M5 as our hosted VoIP and UC solution, we are successfully delivering
against these strategic imperatives. ShoreTel is in an excellent position to
deliver unmatched value to our customers,” said Peter Blackmore, CEO of
ShoreTel.
M5 will be the ShoreTel Cloud Division, based in New
York, led by Dan Hoffman as president and general manager.
We pioneered hosted VoIP and UC 12 years ago and are
proud of the successful track record we’ve achieved with more than 2,000
customers in the U.S.,” said Hoffman.