Cirion Drives the Third Wave of Digital Transformation with Unified Communications as a Service
Evolving towards a collaborative and efficient work environment is one of this solution’s objectives, providing users with ubiquitous, consistent, and natural work experience, fully aligned with people’s new forms of communication.
Santiago, October 22, 2024.-Cirion Technologies, the leading technological support company for businesses in Latin America is at the forefront of digital transformation at the work environment, driving the adoption of Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS), by managing Microsoft Teams Hub for desktop apps.
“In an environment where adjusting to new working methods is of the essence, at Cirion we show corporations how migration towards a collaborative space is not just imminent, but key for business success,” explains Fernando Riedel, Voice and Collaboration Specialist at Cirion Technologies.
Just as PBX in the 90s were required to update from analog to digital technologies, and later to IP and SIP telephony, the market is currently in the third migration wave towards Unified Communications. This shift is driven by integrating communications and collaboration, a critical aspect of digital transformation that organizations need to embrace.
According to market studies, most companies are expected to soon implement telephony systems on their PCs, tablets and mobile phones, reducing dependence on physical phones, except in public spaces and conference rooms. The consolidation of tools like Microsoft Teams, already present on most desktops through Office 365, represents a significant change in the way companies communicate, since everything will be part of a broader Collaborative space that will integrate text messaging and video as the communication standard.
However, and even though Microsoft 365 environment is a public cloud-native operation, transitioning to Unified Communications can pose a great challenge for many corporations, since the need of additional domestic public telephony services in various Latin American countries, including Chile, calls for the integration of supplementary technologies, professional services and operational management of these platforms over time. It is now that a partner’s technological support becomes fundamental to guiding businesses throughout this process.
“At Cirion we embraced Microsoft Teams from scratch, becoming pioneers for its implementation, leveraging its capabilities to improve daily collaboration,” added Riedel. “Our mission is to facilitate this transition towards a modern and collaborative workspace, training employees and offering IT and HR with comprehensive support for their adoption,” continued the executive.
Cirion Services with Microsoft Teams
Cirion delivers Microsoft Teams management by integrating infrastructure and public telephony services in a UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) hybrid model, thus providing customers with the management of:
Cloud PBX Platform: Co-governed by Cirion with IT, assuring effective control and continuous communications platform monitoring.
Integration of PSTN Services: Delivery of phone calls, numbering and consumption, both domestic and international, enabling smooth and accessible connectivity.
Devices as a Service: It facilitates the acquisition and management of room devices and users, ensuring that everyone has access to the necessary tools and within the monthly subscription scheme.
Corporate Features Access It includes voicemail, messaging, chat, presence, and video conferencing, all within a Microsoft Teams environment.
Monitoring and Reports: Performance monitoring and usage reporting services, which allow companies to optimize resources and costs throughout the service lifecycle.
End-to-endgovernance: Monitoring services extended to Microsoft 365 context, integrating network assets telemetry to facilitate real-time management.
Customized User Experience: ubiquitous, consistent and natural work experience, aligned with new forms of users’ communication.
With more than 20 regionwide certifications, and a strong collaboration with Microsoft Certified Partners, Cirion positions itself as a key provider in Microsoft Teams implementation as well as UC services management. “Our solution is not just about technology, but about offering a holistic experience to maximize productivity and reduce costs,” explains Fernando Riedel. “We have a broad solution spectrum customized to our customers’ needs, where each implementation is supported by a team of experts,” concludes the executive.
About Cirion
Cirion is a leading digital infrastructure and technology provider, offering a comprehensive suite of fiber network, connectivity, colocation, cloud infrastructure, and communication and collaboration solutions with the purpose of furthering Latin America´s progress through technology. Cirion serves more than 5,500 Latin American and multinational clients, including enterprises, government agencies, cloud service providers, operators, ISPs, and other leading companies. Cirion owns and operates a portfolio of its own networks and data centers, with extensive coverage throughout the Latin American region. Learn more about Cirion at www.ciriontechnologies.com
Tasks that AI is able to automate to enhance work processes efficiency
The implementation of Artificial Intelligence in companies not only streamlines repetitive tasks, but it also allows employees to focus on more strategic endeavors, transforming the way work and productivity are conceived.
Santiago, September 12, 2024.- Based on subject matter experts’ research, task automation is one of the most perceivable benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the corporate world. The ability to delegate routine activities to algorithms not only expedites processes, but it frees up human capital to focus on more creative and strategic tasks. With its increasing implementation, it has revolutionized the way to approach productivity, enabling optimization of corporate time and resources.
In Fernando Riedel’s words, Voice and Collaboration expert at Cirion Technologies, “one of the most common tasks that AI can automate are repetitive operations, such as drafting emails or generating reports. These endeavors, which traditionally required hours of manual labor, can now be completed in minutes.”
In a context where companies face several challenges to increase their productivity, Riedel highlights three business automation trends for next year. Thus, the corporate world will be able to tackle their employees’ lack of drive and stress, primarily due to low-impact and repetitive tasks.
The first trend is Predictive Analytics for decision-making. Using historical data advanced analytics, in tandem with a statistical model, future results can be projected. Likewise, deployment of Chatbots and Virtual Assistants is well regarded by companies to improve people’s satisfaction and well-being, since these tools reduce repetitive workload and provide ongoing and accessible support. “These tools enable a smoother and more balanced work experience, giving us time for what really matters,” says Riedel.
Third, Conversation analysis to identify dialog patterns, can be used not only to better understand how people communicate, but to improve efficiency and effectiveness of interaction channels in different contexts, identifying conversation structures, recurrent theme patterns, data mining and practical applications.
As explained by Riedel, AI adoption as part of a company’s organizational structure is barely on its onset. In this scenario, the expert explains that a good kickoff point is always to assess the company’s needs and objectives, as well as detailed planning to have the necessary resources for process automation. Cirion Technologies has collaborative tools in place as part of AI to improve communication and collaboration in work teams.
“Artificial intelligence is leading us towards a new automation standard, and the real challenge now is knowing how to leverage all tools available to increase efficiency without losing sight of the human essence in work and productivity,” concluded Fernando Riedel.
About Cirion
Cirion is a leading digital infrastructure and technology provider, offering a comprehensive suite of fiber network, connectivity, colocation, cloud infrastructure, and communication and collaboration solutions with the purpose of furthering Latin America´s progress through technology. Cirion serves more than 5,500 Latin American and multinational clients, including enterprises, government agencies, cloud service providers, operators, ISPs, and other leading companies. Cirion owns and operates a portfolio of its own networks and data centers, with extensive coverage throughout the Latin American region. Learn more about Cirion at www.ciriontechnologies.com
Latin America’s Leading Digital Infrastructure Provider Cirion Joins Connectbase Platform
BOSTON, MA, USA – February 22, 2024 – Connectbase, the global marketplace for connectivity, is thrilled to announce that Cirion, a trailblazing digital infrastructure and technology provider with over 30 years of experience in Latin America, has officially become a featured seller on the Connectbase platform. This strategic collaboration will empower Cirion to showcase and automate the sale of its extensive suite of connectivity solutions. By loading its footprint onto the platform, Cirion aims to enhance accessibility for its buyers and other ecosystem customers, streamlining the process of purchasing cutting-edge digital infrastructure services.
Cirion’s integration into the Connectbase platform and API Fabric signifies a strategic alignment of goals. This collaboration will enhance Cirion’s ability to showcase and automate the sale of its connectivity solutions, providing an enriched experience for buyers within the Connectbase ecosystem.
Benefits of the Collaboration:
Streamlined Connectivity Solutions: Buyers within the Connectbase ecosystem will have streamlined direct API access to Cirion’s cutting-edge connectivity solutions and be able to quote Cirion’s services in Latin America.
Global Reach: Cirion, as a leading Pan-Latin American network present in 20 countries, will bring a expansive reach to the Connectbase platform, enriching the diversity of connectivity options available.
Innovation and Progress: Both companies share a commitment to innovation and progress, ensuring that customers receive the necessary connectivity and IT resources to meet the evolving challenges and opportunities in Latin America and worldwide.
Connectbase CEO Ben Edmond and Cirion’s EVP of Global Sales, Gabriel Holgado, issued a joint statement expressing their excitement about the partnership:
“We are thrilled to embark on this journey with Cirion. This partnership represents a union of expertise and innovation that will redefine the digital infrastructure landscape. Together, we look forward to empowering businesses with seamless connectivity solutions and driving progress in Latin America and beyond.”
About Connectbase
Connectbase is the leading global marketplace platform for the digital infrastructure and connectivity industry. Connectbase is a partner to the industry, enabling best-in-class deep, trusted location insights; next-generation applications for suppliers, partners and buyers, and is the world’s largest connected API Fabric for Service Providers. Connectbase’s industry-leading platform, The Connected World, serves over 360 providers globally, managing 2.7 billion locations across more than 150 countries. The Connectbase connected ecosystem which transforms network buying and selling processes is updated 80 billion times a month. Visit Connectbase at connectbase.com and follow us on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/connectbase-us/.
About Cirion:
Cirion is a leading digital infrastructure and technology provider, offering a comprehensive suite of fiber networks, connectivity, colocation, cloud infrastructure, and communications and collaboration solutions with the purpose of furthering Latin America’s progress through technology. Cirion serves over 5,500 Latin America-based and multinational customers, including enterprises, government agencies, cloud service providers, wireline and wireless carriers, ISPs, and other leading businesses. Cirion owns and operates a portfolio of networks and data centers, with extensive coverage throughout the Latin American region. Learn more about Cirion at www.ciriontechnologies.com
Changing the way we watch TV thanks to high-performance internet and a friendly live streaming
Chilean company Zapping.com adopted Cirion Technologies’ technology and services to reach thousands of users in Latin America through its live streaming platform, with almost zero latency and a nimble and intuitive experience.
Today’s live streaming television takes us to new places we can enjoy traditional sports during the week or watch long-awaited movies in the comfort of our homes. It allows us to explore the world in real time and access a large number of content creators and experiences, wherever we are, with just a click or slide of a finger on our smartphones. However, this live and instant “magic” requires a critical engine: a high-quality, internet backbone service.
For Zapping.com this was no simple task, since video is what generates the largest amount of internet traffic in the world. Between 60% and 70% of global internet traffic is caused by video traffic, which consumes the most bandwidth. Therefore, deploying a live video platform without affecting the different internet providers or internet backbone routes, is not easy.
We felt the need to seek an internet provider that would allow our platform to be as close as possible to people, since the less hops the user needs while connecting to our platform, the better it is for communications and the lower the probability of encountering saturated internet backbones”, explains Ignacio Opazo, CTO and Co-founder of Zapping.com. We view Cirion as a solid company we can trust and work with, obtaining the necessary bandwidth and the best quality possible in the market. From the beginning of the project, we’ve always had a very fluid relationship with Cirion,” adds Opazo.
Zapping.com began its relationship with Cirion in 2019, in Chile, where we provided the streaming company with what they needed: a 100Gb internet backbone, Housing and Cross Connect (end-to-end cable links). In practice, Ignazio Opazo explains, there are even more Gbs, “because we have these 100 Gb with each one of our customers, that is, around 500Gb distributed. Furthermore, we’re connected to the international backbone to give us a quick exit to Brazil and Peru, with minimum latency”.
“We also needed a partner who would help us grow in Latin America, and Cirion has been leading the region for more than 30 years. To us, it’s easier to operate in several countries, like Brazil, Peru, and soon in Colombia, without having to search for new internet providers in each country”, added the CTO.
It’s worth remembering that live streaming generates enormous internet traffic, differently from traditional on-demand streaming, like Netflix and other plataforms. Furthermore, Zapping.com has their own live streaming channels, where they offer a second by second service and can’t have any latency. Having a premium internet service becomes essential for the service, especially if we consider that only in Chile the service already has more than 100 thousand subscribers.
“Thanks to Cirion’s regional presence and experience, with our extensive fiber network, cutting-edge technology, and background offering high-capacity, high-availability connectivity solutions, Zapping can reach new Latin American markets without the complexity of having to look for other providers”, explains David Iacobucci, from Cirion Chile.
Zapping.com’s expansion in Latin America didn’t take long to happen.
Zapping.com is present in Chile, Brazil, Peru, and soon in Colombia, and plans to expand to other countries in Latin America. Thanks to Cirion’s solid presence in these countries, when arriving in new markets, we only need to assemble and replicate the previously designed architecture. Entering new countries with Cirion is very simple”, underscored Opazo.
“Our customers received this really well, since content is deployed instantly and in any device. Thanks to Cirion’s technology, we can deliver a high-quality service with no latency”, concluded Zapping’s CTO.
About Cirion
Cirion is a leading digital infrastructure and technology provider, offering a comprehensive suite of fiber networks, connectivity, colocation, cloud infrastructure, and communications and collaboration solutions with the purpose of furthering Latin Americas progress through technology. Cirion serves over 5,500 Latin America-based and multinational customers, including enterprises, government agencies, cloud service providers, wireline and wireless carriers, ISPs, and other leading businesses. Cirion owns and operates a portfolio of networks and data centers, with extensive coverage throughout the Latin American region. Learn more about Cirion at www.ciriontechnologies.com
Cirion to Deploy New 20 MW Data Center in Santiago, Chile
The facility will be a 20 MW state-of-the-art, energy efficient data center providing critical colocation capacity to service growing regional demand needs
This data center will have direct fiber connectivity to Cirions existing ecosystem-dense facility in Santiago
MIAMI, July 31, 2023 Cirion, a leading digital infrastructure and technology provider, announced that the company will commence construction of a new 20-megawatt carrier-neutral data center facility in Santiago, Chile (SAN2). Cirion is backed by Stonepeak, a leading alternative investment firm specializing in infrastructure and real assets with more than $57 billion in assets under management and an extensive portfolio of communications and digital infrastructure investments globally.
SAN2 is an expansion of Cirions existing data center footprint in Latin America and will be well-equipped to meet the needs of hyperscale cloud service providers, carriers, content providers, and enterprises that require scalable infrastructure. It is expected to be completed by early 2025 and will be built on the 23,000 square meters of land in the industrial district of Quilicura.
The new data center is strategically located near, and will be directly connected to, Cirions existing ecosystem-dense data center in Santiago located 2.5 kilometers away. It will have access to a business-friendly environment and renewable energy, with four independent metro fiber route entrances to the building, long-haul connectivity to major cities and tech hubs in the region and be in close proximity to international subsea cable networks to facilitate minimal latency between Latin America and other regions. SAN2 is well-positioned to serve as a critical hub for businesses in the region and beyond.
The data center will also enable businesses to build and scale their operations in a facility that aligns with Latin Americas sustainability goals, and Cirions Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy and commitment to technological innovation. SAN2 will have a market-leading PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness), consuming minimal energy, water and natural resources to reduce its overall impact on the environment. These standards were also adopted by Cirions recently announced new 20 MW data center facility in Lurín, Perú (LIM2).
The development of this new Data Center in Santiago represents another important step in our journey to grow our platform of low latency, interconnected data centers and establish a growing digital ecosystem across Latin America, said Facundo Castro, CEO for Cirion Technologies. This new facility in Santiago reflects Cirion´s continued commitment to investing and providing our customers with the most comprehensive suite of data center solutions to support their digital transformation across the region.
SAN2 will be part of Cirions larger carrier-neutral platform, which consists of 18 owned data centers around Latin America today. Customers can connect directly to more than 90 carriers and public cloud providers in the area using peer-to-peer networking through Cirion’s data centers, which also enable scalable colocation, cross connectivity, and disaster recovery capabilities.
About Cirion:
Cirion is a leading digital infrastructure and technology provider, offering a comprehensive suite of fiber network, connectivity, colocation, cloud infrastructure, and communication and collaboration solutions with the purpose of furthering Latin Americas progress through technology. Cirion serves over 5,500 Latin America-based and multinational customers, including enterprises, government agencies, cloud service providers, wireline and wireless carriers, ISPs, and other leading businesses. The Company owns and operates a facilities-based network and data center portfolio, with extensive coverage spanning across the Latin America region. Learn more about Cirion at www.ciriontechnologies.com
Ten key points to tackle cyber attacks strategically
To avoid damages caused by malicious software, such as ransomware, established as one of the Chiles most recurring incidents companies must implement several initiatives to strengthen their structure.
Santiago, June 06, 2023 Ransomware has been positioned as the type of cyber attack with the greatest increase in Chile and Latin America. This is stated by an Entel Ocean study which compared this type of incident in the first semester of 2023 with the same period in 2022 and identified an attack increase of 27% in Chile. This data is included in Chiles third position, behind Brazil and Mexico, regarding the amount of ransomware received to date.
Ransomware is a type of malicious software often sent via unsolicited phishing emails, which trick users by hijacking and blocking files or systems to prevent access. The hijacker uses encryption to turn files into hostages. And when the victim pays the ransom, they supposedly receive a decryption key to release the locked systems.
With this scenario in mind, Ricardo Pulgarín, Cirion Technologies Security Solutions Architect, explains that companies and institutions should focus on strengthening their cybersecurity framework. To this end, the expert provides 10 recommendations for strategically addressing potential threats:
Protect recovery systems and backup data: In the event of incidents caused by individuals, ransomware or natural disasters, adopting measures that enable a quick recovery of data and systems is critical. To allow this, data must be backed up, recovery tests must be performed, and a contingency plan must be implemented to define recovery point objective (RPO) and backup frequency, as well as the recovery time objective (RTO).
Run recovery test runs: This ensures that data is available, that every resource can be recovered, and that everything is working as expected. Furthermore, the determined chain of command should be communicating appropriately and there should be group and individual accountabilities.
Cybersecurity training and awareness: Establishing data security must be a priority for the company. Therefore, appropriate training is key for employees to understand the risks the company may be subject to and the importance of being accountable when facing potential threats.
Define the surface of attack: Organizations should know which systems, devices, and services in their environments are necessary to maintain their business online and inventory active. This will help them identify their most vulnerable areas and lay out the baseline for system recovery.
Audit and manage the most vulnerable devices: For a comprehensive security strategy, it is essential to count on controls throughout all of the network’s critical points. There’s no doubt that perimeter security is important, but for it to be effective given users’ high mobility it must also be complemented by security in final users’ devices.
Sectorize the network: Sectorization can help contain malware. If a threat reaches the network, it should be blocked and prevented from moving around unchecked, therefore interrupting the collection of information. This requires splitting the network into smaller segments to enhance the flow of traffic and prevent threats from moving laterally.
Safeguard e-mails to avoid ransomware access: In addition to safeguarding network devices, it is also imperative to ensure that email solutions are executed with their latest updates and that firewalls are in place.
Expand the focus on identity: Organizations should implement double-factor authentication mechanisms for its remote users and customers, thus providing double validation access to the most critical information. Also, they must monitor usage of gateways, protocols, and network services to prevent malicious applications from finding a security breach that can be explored by the attacker.
Strengthen security along entire Cyber Kill Chain: The Cyber Kill Chain model examines how cybercriminals act to achieve their goals. Potential human failure underscores the need for a robust security technology and a cyber security strategy which integrates multiple controls and allows visualization of the different stages an attacker needs to cut through before being successful.
Implement an incident response plan: A clearly defined and proven incident response plan will strongly contribute to a better outcome in case cyber attacks occur.
Cirion Technologies has a complete integrated security portfolio, with mitigation and network protection services, among others, customizable to any industrys requirements.
Cirion is a leading digital infrastructure and technology provider, offering a comprehensive suite of fiber networks, connectivity, colocation, cloud infrastructure, and communications and collaboration solutions with the purpose of furthering Latin Americas progress through technology. Cirion serves over 5,500 Latin America-based and multinational customers, including enterprises, government agencies, cloud service providers, wireline and wireless carriers, ISPs, and other leading businesses. Cirion owns and operates a portfolio of networks and data centers, with extensive coverage throughout the Latin American region. Learn more about Cirion at www.ciriontechnologies.com
