We all know the name Ericsson. This Swedish company is renowned as one of the top information and communication technology (ICT) providers for carriers, with a broad portfolio that includes network, digital services, managed services and emerging business technologies, powered by 5G and IoT. In the aftermath of the key 2020 acquisitions of Cradlepoint and select assets from StratusWorX, Ericsson successfully launched the Wireless Office. This enterprise-focused software set helps to streamline virtual desktop delivery, handling applications, storage and redundancy with ease. Recently, ChannelVision sat down with Amy McCune, president and general manager of Wireless Office at Ericsson, to learn more about the product, its origins and unique applications for the modern business landscape. ChannelVision: Ericsson is known for its deep wireless product portfolio, traditionally sold to communications service providers (CSPs). Where does Wireless Office fit into its strategy? Amy McCune: Ericsson is the market leader in 5G technology, sitting atop the Gartner Magic Quadrant. We’ve been expanding globally in wireless enterprise and creating transformative, high-value services to help enterprise customers leverage 5G. Recent examples include our pending acquisition of Vonage and the 2020 purchase of Cradlepoint. Around the time we bought Cradlepoint, Ericsson also acquired workspace-as-a-service (WaaS) technology from StratusWorX, a cloud service provider for managed enterprise IT environments. While Cradlepoint maintained its popular brand name, Ericsson now markets StratusWorX’s former virtual workspace technology as “Ericsson Wireless Office.” Wireless Office joins Cradlepoint in Ericsson’s enterprise-focused unit. Our ambition is to be the leading force of enterprise innovation. CV: What does Ericsson’s enterprise focus mean for the channel? AM: While Ericsson’s main go-tomarket strategy has been centered around communications service providers, the distribution of its acquired enterprise offerings relies on channel partners as well. We take an omni-channel approach with our enterprise solutions, allowing businesses to choose how they buy, whether through a CSP or trusted technology advisor. CV: What are the implications of virtual desktop features given the number of remote and hybrid workers? AM: Many customers operate with limited IT staff and budgets but are seeking a better way to deliver desktops and apps to remote employees. They’re concerned with simplifying desktop and hardware delivery, increasing productivity and collaboration and managing security requirements. Wireless Office solves for these challenges, delivering virtual workstations with the necessary apps, storage, redundancy and security. Employees can work from anywhere using their device of choice. Unlike traditional virtual desktop infrastructure and desktop as a service (DaaS) solutions that have struggled with app performance, Wireless Office is optimized for media. When a user launches their remote workspace, audio/video gets redirected back to the local device, with media taking the shortest path to reduce latency. CV: Are there any specific use cases? AM: We have customers across many verticals, including healthcare, finance, legal and engineering. One segment we’re seeing more of is the contact center, including business process outsourcers (BPOs). Businesses are turning to us to enable their remote and international agents, while others that use multiple BPOs are looking to replicate and simplify tech-stack delivery. Another trend is businesses struggling to support compute-intensive apps for remote engineers and designers. For example, computer-aided design apps typically require expensive machines and local servers to manage heavy workloads. Our customers are often surprised to learn that a cloud solution accessed using a low-cost thin client can outperform an expensive local machine and a virtual private network. CV: What’s next for Wireless Office? AM: This will be an exciting year for Ericsson Wireless Office as we continue to build our channel partnerships and increase the value we deliver to customers. We’ll introduce new levels of automation and administration and continue to invest in R&D to sit at the forefront of enabling digital transformation. o For more information on the Ericsson Wireless Office, visit www. ericsson.com/en/virtual-workspace/ wireless-office or fill out an Ericsson sales inquiry form at www.ericsson. com/en/contact/sales-inquiry. Amy McCune, president & GM of Ericsson Wireless Office Ericsson Targeting the Enterprise with new Wireless Office PROFILE MOBILE & WIRELESS 66 CHANNELV ISION | MARCH - APRIL 2022
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