When it comes to software, the ecosystem matters.
All throughout the history of modern software this has been the case, from the rise of Windows as an operating system to the explosive growth of the iPhone thanks to its app store.
This also is the case with communications software, which is why unified communications company Avaya (News - Alert) has developed its Avaya DevConnect program.
The program helps promote the development, compliance-testing and co-marketing of third-party solutions that are compatible with standards-based Avaya solutions, boosting the ecosystem for Avaya and its solutions.
Organizations that are technology partners in the program receive a wide range of technical education, access and support for many Avaya platforms and interfaces, often at no cost to partners. Partners also receive additional benefits such as in-depth, joint compliance testing activities and co-marketing support based on their alignment with Avaya’s strategy and value offered to Avaya customers, according to the company.
The Avaya DevConnect (News - Alert) program includes thousands of software and hardware developer companies, integrators, service providers and customers, and the capabilities these third-party developers bring to Avaya ranges from collaboration, management, and analytics to reporting and communications-enabled business process applications.
One certified partner is LiveLOOK, developer of Co-Browse PremiuM, an application that enables customer service agents to instantly see the screen of an online customer in real-time as they chat or speak via phone.
“We’re already bringing our innovative Co-Browse solutions to more than 20 percent of the Fortune 100,” said Chris Czekaj, senior vice president of LiveLOOK. “Working in conjunction with Avaya to add a layer of visual collaboration onto voice and chat interactions will help even more companies improve contact center operations and create an exceptional online customer experience.”
Avaya also is happy to have LiveLOOK in the program.
“LiveLOOK adds a unique solution to the Avaya DevConnect Program,” said Eric Rossman (News - Alert), vice president of developer relations for Avaya. “With the level of customer privacy and security built into its Co-Browse product, along with the ease of use and universal compatibility, LiveLOOK is filling a critical need for companies looking to provide online help faster and more accurately by seeing exactly what the customer is seeing in real time.”
With the battle for smartphone platform dominance in full swing, the importance of a good software ecosystem is highlighted now more than ever. With programs such as DevConnect, Avaya shows that it understands the value of third-party add-ons.
Edited by Blaise McNamee