ShoreTel Integrates Connect Platform with Google G Suite

The advent of new technology and web-based work applications has vastly changed the workplace. It has made it possible for workers to telecommute, work from virtual offices, and access a myriad of business tools designed to make work easier from any location or device. However, using too many business tools for communication, collaboration, and productivity can also be counterproductive to users due to the number of tools available and a lack of integration across platforms. ShoreTel, a leading provider of communication solutions for business, aims to solve this challenge with their new offering: the ShoreTel Connect for Chrome browser.

Designed for ShoreTel Connect users that use Google G Suite and the Chrome web browser, ShoreTel Connect for Chrome is an integrated solution that combines the company’s Connect unified communications (UC) platform with Google G Suite collaboration applications. Subscribers to Connect CLOUD and ONSITE can take advantage of the tool simply by downloading the extension from the Google Chrome web store.

Business Application Integration is a Growing Trend

Many cloud communication providers these days understand that in order to maximize the value of their business communications platform and provide a better user experience, seamless integration with other business applications and systems is vital. Providers such as Dialpad, Fuze, Broadsoft, and Phone.com, for example, have debuted solutions that enable easy integration with their platforms and other business systems and apps via APIs and web services. ShoreTel, one of the leaders in the industry, has previously offered integrations with popular Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools and business programs such as Salesforce, ACT, and Microsoft Dynamics. And their latest integration with Google G Suite enhances their platform even further.

Eugenia Corrales, Senior Vice President of Solutions Group at ShoreTel, had this to say about their newest offer:

"Google Chrome browser and G Suite are heavily used in the enterprise and across verticals, so the time is right to integrate ShoreTel Connect with Google. Our new offer reinforces our commitment to create intuitive and integrated solutions. Now, Chrome browser users have a seamless enhanced experience with the integrated ShoreTel features. We will continue to grow our capabilities in this area with a focus on broader web-based collaboration.”

Connect CLOUD and Connect ONSITE customers with Essentials, Standard and Advanced service or product plans in the U.S. can avail of the Connect for Chrome extension for no additional cost.

ShoreTel Connect for Chrome Benefits

By downloading the extension in Google Chrome, ShoreTel Connect users can easily do the following:

• Merge ShoreTel contacts with G Suite contacts into a single list. Connect for Chrome lets users combine all of their contacts into one list, which makes searching for specific contacts easier. Users can also initiate a call with a single click.
• Streamline workflows with integrated call control. The extension lets users tap Connect UC functionalities such as searching for contacts, dialing and controlling calls, and viewing presence status for contacts within search results. No need to switch back and forth between multiple apps.
• Create and join ShoreTel events via Google Calendar. With the extension, users can also quickly create and join scheduled ShoreTel meetings and events through Google Calendar. Users simply have to click on a notification to join a web conference where they can collaborate through group chat and screen sharing.

ShoreTel Connect is a highly flexible and feature-rich communications solution available via cloud, onsite, or hybrid deployment. ShoreTel Connect is more than just a phone system and includes a range of UC features that help simplify communications, such as personalized call handling, advanced collaboration tools, and seamless feature integration and collaboration apps for various devices. And with the new integration with Google G Suite, Connect users can tap the platform’s features and benefits more conveniently.

Even though the new ShoreTel extension was just released this past month, it has already received positive feedback from ShoreTel partners such as Packet Fusion. Matt Pingatore, CEO of Packet Fusion, a ShoreTel Platinum partner, praised ShoreTel’s newest offering, saying, “The world today is suffering from ‘tool fatigue’ with too many overlapping desktop productivity tools. With ShoreTel Connect for Chrome browser, users are not forced to use one tool over the other but can pick the place where they want to work. Genius! And the sales process for us just got easier.”

For more details about ShoreTel Connect for Chrome extension or to learn more about the company’s communication solutions, visit their website.

About ShoreTel

ShoreTel (ShoreTel, Inc., NASDAQ: SHOR: $6.25) delivers feature-rich and award-winning business telephony and unified communications (UC) solutions to businesses worldwide. Founded on the belief that communications should be brilliantly simple, ShoreTel offers business phone systems, unified communications, voice and SMS, and contact center solutions that help people interact with each other with efficiency, flexibility, and ease. ShoreTel Connect, the company’s innovative business telephony platform, is offered in three deployment options (Cloud, Onsite, and Hybrid) to match the unique communication needs of businesses. ShoreTel is based in Sunnyvale, California, and is working towards helping businesses in other parts of the globe, such as the UK, New Zealand, and Australia, take advantage of its communication solutions.