PARIS, FRANCE--(Marketwired - Feb 5, 2014) - Arkadin, one of the world's largest and fastest-growing Collaboration Service Providers, today announced the acquisition of consulting and hosting service provider implement.com. A key Microsoft partner, Seattle-based implement.com specializes in project-focused consulting services for Microsoft technologies, and delivers a range of Unified Communications-as-a-Service solutions through its Chinook Communications division. Arkadin will benefit from honed unified communications expertise and an advanced hosted collaboration service platform to accelerate its growth in Cloud-based enterprise collaboration.
With growth projected at 38% CAGR for the next few years, UCaaS is the fastest growing collaboration business segment and it is at the center of Arkadin's collaboration strategy. Arkadin has a full range of solutions for audio, web, video conferencing and unified communications services. Headquartered in Paris, it serves approximately 37,000 customers in 32 countries through its regional operations.
"This is a highly strategic acquisition that will dramatically accelerate Arkadin's leadership in the UCaaS space," says Olivier de Puymorin, CEO and founder of Arkadin. "implement.com has a stellar track record in enabling service providers to leverage hosted voice and Microsoft technologies - especially Lync and Exchange. Their trusted thought leadership, high quality services, and international reputation for delivering cloud solutions will be a tremendous asset as we seek greater UCaaS market share worldwide."
"We're extremely excited to bring our expertise in delivering hosted telephony and Microsoft applications such as Exchange, Lync and SharePoint to Arkadin," says implement.com CEO Steve Schwartz. "Their phenomenal growth and influence in the collaboration market, along with their global footprint and technology infrastructure, give us new leverage to expand our client base. With a shared vision for UCaaS, we have unlimited potential to UC enable businesses worldwide who seek greater communications efficiencies."
"We are thrilled to see Arkadin and implement.com combine their offerings to enhance UCaaS for customers. Together they will provide the latest Microsoft hosted collaboration solutions in the way businesses consume services today," says Marco Limena, vice president, WW Hosting Service Providers, Microsoft. "The UCaaS segment is poised for rapid growth in the next few years, and we are excited about the offers these two companies together will bring to the market globally."
Arkadin will offer Chinook Communications' previous multi-tenant UCaaS service bundles immediately to clients in North America under the Arkadin Total Connect brand name. The packages include voice, Microsoft Exchange, Lync, and SharePoint. Availability will follow in a phased roll-out in other global regions. Arkadin will enhance these offers with private cloud options in the next few months.
About Arkadin
Arkadin is one of the largest and fastest growing Collaboration Service Providers in the world. With a vision rooted in the belief that progress emerges from people's desire to share, Arkadin offers a complete range of integrated audio, web, video and unified communications solutions. These services are delivered in the cloud for fast, scalable deployment and a high ROI. The company's global network of 53 operating centers in 32 countries has dedicated local support teams to service its 37,000 customers. As an NTT Communications Group company, Arkadin offers the most comprehensive collaboration and unified communications services for meeting customer needs around the world. For more information: www.arkadin.com
About implement.com
Founded in 1997, implement.com is a Seattle-based cloud consulting firm and hosting service provider that specializes in helping service providers of all sizes leverage Microsoft technologies to deliver Hosted Exchange, SharePoint, Dynamics CRM, Lync Server 2010, and Systems Center 2012, with automation from our ISV control panel partners. Since its inception in 1997, implement.com has continuously focused on its mandates: to achieve a position of thought leadership and to exceed customer expectations in every engagement. We leverage our deep experience to choose the right tools for the job and maintain our leading position in the industry. For more information please visit www.implement.com