Amazon Chime app adds dial-out, single sign-on features
The Amazon Chime app has new dial-out and single sign-on features, but the cloud-based messaging and meetings platform still trails rivals, including Cisco Webex and Zoom.
Amazon Web Services has been gradually building out the features of Amazon Chime, as the tech giant struggles to attract corporate interest in the online messaging and meetings platform.
AWS added a dial-out function to the Amazon Chime app this week so that users can program the app to call a phone number at the start of a meeting. The feature will simplify the process of connecting to meeting audio for attendees who are away from their desks.
AWS also recently announced it would integrate the Amazon Chime app with the software of Okta, a leading single sign-on vendor. Okta's platform consolidates the username and password information of an organization's apps so that users only have to remember one set of sign-on credentials.
Last month, AWS made it possible to conduct a Chime video meeting in Google Chrome. While all major browsers support messaging and most non-video meeting features, Chrome is the only internet client that supports Chime video conferencing. (Users can also install a desktop app.)
"I see these largely as incremental improvements that allow Amazon to better compete with the likes of Zoom, BlueJeans, GoToMeeting, Cisco Webex, etc.," said Irwin Lazar, analyst at Nemertes Research, based in Mokena, Ill.
Businesses expect all online meetings platforms to support in-browser video conferencing at this point, while single sign-on is a must-have feature for many large organizations, Lazar said.
Amazon Chime app trails rivals as AWS seeks greater share of collaboration market
Launched in February 2017, Amazon Chime is still playing catch-up with more established online meetings platforms. Amazon has stepped up efforts to penetrate the enterprise market in recent years, including with the release of the contact center platform Amazon Connect.
Alexa for Business, an enterprise version of the vendor's popular AI voice assistant, has the potential to gain traction in the enterprise market, said Wayne Kurtzman, analyst at IDC. The Amazon Chime app, however, is not yet on the radar of many companies, he said.
"While Alexa for Business will gain traction over time, mostly integrated with other products, Amazon has to prove that Chime will be here for the long haul, be better than competitors and be a trusted part of a custom, cloud-based IT stack," Kurtzman said.
Amazon is not the only consumer tech giant making a play at the enterprise collaboration market. Google also recently released a team collaboration app, Hangouts Chat, and an online meetings platform, Hangouts Meet.
AWS, a $17.5 billion division of Amazon, has sought to use low and flexible pricing to attract businesses to Amazon Chime.
When Chime first launched, AWS gave customers the ability to prorate the subscription fees of individual users by activating and deactivating their licenses on demand. Later, the vendor implemented a usage-based pricing system that costs $3 per day on every day that a user hosts a meeting, for a maximum of $15 per user, per month.
In announcing usage-based pricing in March, AWS said it expected the new scheme would reduce the bills of virtually all premium customers of Amazon Chime. Nevertheless, aggressive pricing hasn't been enough to draw attention from tech buyers.
"I rarely hear about Chime," said Alan Lepofsky, analyst at Constellation Research, based in Cupertino, Calif. "I think Chime could have an interesting differentiation if Amazon made it very easy for developers to add voice and video features to custom applications. That would make Chime more of a competitor to Twilio than to Webex."
Source: searchunifiedcommunicationstechtarget
Latest Jobs
-
- IT Cyber Security Recruitment Consultant – Hot Desk
- Beckenham
- Dependent on Experience
-
IT Cyber Security Recruitment Consultant – Hot Desk | Beckenham, London, UK | Training Provided | Rapid Career Development for achievers | No Threshold Commission Scheme | Luxury Target Based Rewards & Incentives | Previous Cyber Security Sales/Recruitment Experience Required. DCL Search & Selection are a client focussed niche recruitment company with over 26 years of experience within the IT Industry. We are looking for an IT Cyber Security Recruitment Consultant due exponential growth and investment in the industry. Why DCL? No Threshold & Commission Scheme up to 30%. Endless training & support CRM Database with an exceptional amount of both Clients and Candidates Minimal Admin work Rapid promotion for achievers 3 Computer Screens & work mobile. LinkedIn Recruiter License Join a creative team of IT Recruitment Consultants dedicated to connecting talent The IT Cyber Security Recruitment Consultant will be responsible for: Identifying, qualifying and approaching passive cyber security candidates through numerous methods and guiding them through the recruitment process. Winning new business/ developing existing relationships Achieving and exceeding sales targets Self-managing daily tasks to make sure that you will be as successful as possible Having a structured approach with a solution selling ability as the sales cycles are not as quick. What we are looking for: Previous & Successful B2B / Business to Business Sales/Recruitment experience within the Cyber Security Industry. Excellent telephone manner Professional, fast-paced, driven and ambitious Mature and honest and a passion to succeed Commutable to Beckenham Want to know more? Click Apply or email your CV to lucycinder@dclsearch.com or call 02086634030. (Cyber Recruitment Jobs, IT Recruitment, IT Recruitment Consultant, Executive Search Consultant, IT Executive Search Consultant, IT Headhunter, Recruitment Headhunter)
-
- P3M3 Project Manager Cyber
- London
- £75,000+
-
Ref CH7790 P3M3 Project Manager Cyber London Experienced Project Manager with a Cyber Security focus is needed to join a London business. In you are a certified P3M3 project / program manager with Cyber experience I want to speak with you. Specific experience across Axelos best practice P3M3 (version 3) is essential. Specifically across the P3M3 maturity models; Portfolio Management (PfM3) , Programme Management (PgM3), and Project Management (PjM3) I am looking for a project / programme manager that has experience taking clients from and through the maturity Level 1 to Level 5. Specifically helping them to identify their challenge / requirements in existing / upcoming projects and effectively deliver change. Through the seven perspectives of; Organisational governance, Management control, Benefits management, Risk management, Stakeholder management, Finance management and Resource management. All details kept in the strictest of confidence. Apply today for more information. Chris.Holt@dclsearch.com 07884666351
-
- Government / Public sector Cyber Security Consultant
- London
- Up to £60,000
-
CH7789 Government / Public sector Cyber Security Consultant £60,000 London Government / Public sector Cyber Security Consultant is needed to join a Consultancy in Great London. Security clearance is a must. This management consultancy delivers advisory, project definition / rescoping, business transformation, Cyber security programs and have a requirement for 3 new hires. The Government / Public sector Cyber Security Consultant MUST have current experience working within the Government / Public Sector. A blend of broad technical solutions, consultative advisory skills is essential. Your role will include, but not be limited to; across engaging with senior stakeholders, requirement identification, business analysis, technical consulting, business transformation, secure technical design, workshops / Cyber table top exercises etc CCP (CLAS) SC / DV clearance. Must be happy to travel within the UK. All details kept in confidence. Apply today to find out more. Chris.Holt@dclsearch.com 07884666351
-
- Cyber IR Threat hunter, Managed Detection & Response, Remote UK
- United Kingdom
- £55,000 + benefits
-
REF CH7787 Cyber IR Threat hunter, Managed Detection & Response, Remote UK £55,000 + benefits Cyber IR Threat hunter with Managed Detection & Response experience needed. Can be remotely based or in London (if you are commutable) This is an opportunity to be deeply involved in heart of a technical cyber investigation, often working on technically complex situations with international clients. The Cyber IR Threat hunter with Managed Detection & Response consultant will work remotely connecting into live client environment to gain technical visibility on the incident, monitor engagements and help formulate a plan to eradicate remediate the situation. Hands on experience in the following is essential; Network behaviour analysis, Cyber security incident response / malware analysis, Managed Endpoint detection and response solutions i.e. Carbon Black, Countercept, Threat detect. Digital forensics, threat detection, hunting / analysis. Scripting Interest to hear from individuals with experience innovating and developing capabilities. All details kept in the strictest of confidence.