Cloud communications firm 8×8 has announced it is to acquire fellow cloud communications company Fuze.
8×8 offers unified communications, contact centre and communications platform solutions as part of its 8×8 XCaaS product. Fuze, meanwhile, is a leader in the unified communications and contact centre space.
The deal will see 8×8 acquire Fuze for $250mn in stock and cash, with 8×8 framing the purchase as expanding its global customer base. The deal will close in 8×8’s fourth financial quarter, subject to the usual approvals and conditions.
“The migration to cloud-based communications and engagement is accelerating as organisations worldwide shift to hybrid work models, creating a multi-billion dollar opportunity,” said Dave Sipes, CEO at 8×8.
“Our XCaaS strategy is defining and shaping the future of the cloud communications industry as we drive innovation to help our customers meet their changing business requirements. The acquisition of Fuze expands our operational scale and extends our global presence as we meet enterprise demand for our XCaaS integrated UCaaS and CCaaS solution.”
The companies said the acquisition would help them to take advantage of the opportunity for integrated communications in the new world of hybrid work thanks to their joint resources and combined global customer base.
“Enterprise customers recognise the importance of an integrated UCaaS and CCaaS solution. 8×8’s industry-leading XCaaS solution for an integrated employee and customer experience enables customers to advance their cloud transformation efforts as they move off legacy on-premises systems,” said Brian Day, CEO of Fuze.
“Combining resources and expertise with 8×8 is a natural fit, bringing with it needed scale and accelerating the pace of product innovation with differentiated solutions that capitalise on this massive opportunity, all of which will serve to benefit our enterprise customer base.”
The news comes after 8×8 took the opportunity of this year’s Enterprise Connect event to launch Frontdesk, a new solution for high volume call handling, with call queuing and engagement personalisation features.
