AT&T Business and Cisco Partner to Enable Hybrid Work Environments

While interest in working from home was high on the wish list of American employees before the COVID-19 pandemic, the long period of quarantine and social distancing has only accelerated the trend. As the specter of COVID-19 recedes – at least for now – more companies and employees are expressing interest in building a hybrid workforce model.

A hybrid workforce is one that blends employees who work remotely and those who work from an office or central location. It allows employees to work from the places they want to, either in a central location, such as a warehouse, factory or retail location, or in a remote location, such as the home.

A survey from Enterprise Technology Research (ETR) expected the number of employees working from home to double into 2021 and after the eventual post-pandemic landscape. Additionally, at their Directions 2021 virtual conference, IDC predicted employees will have a choice about including a hybrid workplace model -- with about 33 percent of employees still having to work on site full time.

To pull off a hybrid workforce model, however, companies need to ensure that their telecommunications are in top-notch shape. In an effort to provide companies with more of what they need for hybrid workforce infrastructure, AT&T Business and Cisco recently announced that they plan to collaborate for enhanced cloud communications. Cisco Systems Inc’s Webex collaboration portfolio and cloud communications services will support AT&T Inc. enterprise clients’ transition to the hybrid workforce. The two companies plan to offer one million users the UCMC platform through sales of Webex Calling with AT&T - Enterprise over the next five years.

"The shift to hybrid work changed how companies operate and accelerated adoption of integrated cloud collaboration solutions," said Javed Khan, SVP and general manager of Cisco Collaboration in a statement. "Our Webex solutions transformed the cloud calling experience and combine enterprise-calling features with market-leading virtual meetings and collaboration technology – all within the Webex App. And we're proud to work with AT&T to provide its customers and employees with the tools and technologies they require to thrive in the new hybrid workplace."

AT&T Business noted that a true hybrid work environment requires tools that enable flexible and adaptable business operations.

“By pairing expertise that can help businesses get the most of these solutions together with a high-performing network, we are elevating not only their ability to survive, but also to thrive,” said Rich Shaw, VP of Voice and Collaboration for AT&T Business. "Our work with Cisco is a great example of how we're able to innovate faster, accelerate the deployment of cutting-edge technologies and unlock the full potential of our workforce and customers."