SoftBank Telecom to License 8x8's Zerigo Enterprise Cloud Software

Cloud-based business communications solutions provider 8x8 (News - Alert), Inc. has struck an agreement with SoftBank Telecom Corp., which will license 8x8’s subscription-based “Zerigo” enterprise cloud software. 8x8 will also develop some additional related software for Softbank (News - Alert) to provide virtual desktop interface (VDI) services to Softbank customers in Japan, and later to customers in the U.S., Europe and other parts of Asia. SoftBank will also well positioned to offer a full suite of virtualized cloud services to its major enterprise customers using Vblock products from converged cloud infrastructure systems provider VCE.

Softbank said it chose 8x8 after an extensive search of software providers based on 8x8’s commitment to quality, scalability and reliability as well as flexibility and cost competitiveness.

“SoftBank is pleased to partner with such a nimble, Silicon Valley company whose culture mirrors our own and whose experience in delivering cloud services will be invaluable in helping us to rapidly deploy similar services in Japan,” said Ken Miyauchi, Director of The Board of SoftBank in a statement announcing the partnership. “We expect our customers will be delighted with these new offerings and we look forward to expanding the available markets in the near future.”

8X8, which offers software as a service (SaaS (News - Alert)) and infrastructure as a service (IaaS) solutions to small and medium sized businesses and distributed enterprises, provides VoIP business phone services, audio and video conferencing, hosted contact center and unified communications (UC) solutions. Its Zerigo product line, which it acquired in 2011, is a suite of core services including managed DNS, VPS and cloud servers as well as watchdog monitoring.

“8x8 is delighted to partner with SoftBank to deliver these valuable services to their business customers,” said 8x8 Chairman & CEO Bryan Martin (News - Alert). “SoftBank is one of the most agile, successful telecom service providers in the world and the speed at which they move matches 8x8’s similar culture of always leading rather than following the market.”

Edited by Amanda Ciccatelli