Latest news with #videoConferencing
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Q1 Earnings Review: Video Conferencing Stocks Led by Five9 (NASDAQ:FIVN)
Wrapping up Q1 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the video conferencing stocks, including Five9 (NASDAQ:FIVN) and its peers. Work is becoming more distributed, both across geographies and devices. In order for businesses to keep functioning efficiently, they need to be able to communicate as well as they did when the teams were co-located, which drives the demand for integrated communication platforms. The 4 video conferencing stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts' consensus estimates by 0.8% while next quarter's revenue guidance was in line. Thankfully, share prices of the companies have been resilient as they are up 8.3% on average since the latest earnings results. Started in 2001, Five9 (NASDAQ: FIVN) offers software-as-a-service that makes it easier for companies to set up and efficiently run call centers to offer more tailored customer support. Five9 reported revenues of $279.7 million, up 13.2% year on year. This print exceeded analysts' expectations by 2.6%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter for the company with EPS guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts' expectations and a solid beat of analysts' EBITDA estimates. Five9 pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat and fastest revenue growth of the whole group. Unsurprisingly, the stock is up 10.4% since reporting and currently trades at $27.71. Is now the time to buy Five9? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it's free. Started by Eric Yuan who once ran engineering for Cisco's video conferencing business, Zoom (NASDAQ:ZM) offers an easy to use, cloud-based platform for video conferencing, audio conferencing and screen sharing. Zoom reported revenues of $1.17 billion, up 2.9% year on year, outperforming analysts' expectations by 0.8%. The business had a strong quarter with full-year EPS guidance exceeding analysts' expectations and a solid beat of analysts' EBITDA estimates. Zoom scored the highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. The company added 104 enterprise customers paying more than $100,000 annually to reach a total of 4,192. Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 4.6% since reporting. It currently trades at $78.29. Is now the time to buy Zoom? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it's free. Founded in 1987, 8x8 (NYSE:EGHT) provides software for organizations to efficiently communicate and collaborate with their customers, employees, and partners. 8x8 reported revenues of $177 million, down 1.3% year on year, in line with analysts' expectations. It was a slower quarter as it posted a slight miss of analysts' EBITDA estimates and billings in line with analysts' estimates. 8x8 delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates, slowest revenue growth, and weakest full-year guidance update in the group. Interestingly, the stock is up 15.6% since the results and currently trades at $2.07. Read our full analysis of 8x8's results here. Founded in 1999 during the dot-com era, RingCentral (NYSE:RNG) provides software as a service that unifies phone, text, fax, video calls and chat in one platform. RingCentral reported revenues of $612.1 million, up 4.8% year on year. This print met analysts' expectations. More broadly, it was a mixed quarter as it also produced a decent beat of analysts' EBITDA estimates but a miss of analysts' billings estimates. The stock is up 11.9% since reporting and currently trades at $29.87. Read our full, actionable report on RingCentral here, it's free. Thanks to the Fed's series of rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has cooled significantly from its post-pandemic highs, drawing closer to the 2% goal. This disinflation has occurred without severely impacting economic growth, suggesting the success of a soft landing. The stock market thrived in 2024, spurred by recent rate cuts (0.5% in September and 0.25% in November), and a notable surge followed Donald Trump's presidential election win in November, propelling indices to historic highs. Nonetheless, the outlook for 2025 remains clouded by potential trade policy changes and corporate tax discussions, which could impact business confidence and growth. The path forward holds both optimism and caution as new policies take shape. Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Strong Momentum Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Zoom Communications (ZM) Outperforms Broader Market: What You Need to Know
Zoom Communications (ZM) ended the recent trading session at $78.58, demonstrating a +1.28% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock outperformed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.83%. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.77%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 1.02%. Coming into today, shares of the video-conferencing company had lost 3.83% in the past month. In that same time, the Computer and Technology sector gained 8.25%, while the S&P 500 gained 4.99%. Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Zoom Communications in its upcoming release. The company is predicted to post an EPS of $1.37, indicating a 1.44% decline compared to the equivalent quarter last year. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $1.2 billion, up 3.02% from the year-ago period. For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $5.59 per share and revenue of $4.81 billion, which would represent changes of +0.9% and +2.99%, respectively, from the prior year. Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Zoom Communications. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook. Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system. The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed a 0.74% increase. Zoom Communications currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy). Valuation is also important, so investors should note that Zoom Communications has a Forward P/E ratio of 13.89 right now. This signifies a discount in comparison to the average Forward P/E of 28.74 for its industry. Investors should also note that ZM has a PEG ratio of 7.45 right now. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. Internet - Software stocks are, on average, holding a PEG ratio of 2.22 based on yesterday's closing prices. The Internet - Software industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 46, putting it in the top 19% of all 250+ industries. The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1. Remember to apply to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Zoom Communications, Inc. (ZM) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Globe and Mail
20-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
GreetEat Corp. (OTC: GEAT) Taps Neva IT to Build Salesforce Integration for Virtual Dining Experiences
RENO, Nev. , June 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GreetEat Corp. (OTC: GEAT), the trailblazing platform fusing video conferencing with food delivery, today announced a strategic partnership with enterprise IT leader Neva IT to develop a custom Salesforce integration for its virtual dining platform. The integration will allow Salesforce users to seamlessly plan, manage, and measure GreetEat-powered events such as client lunches, team celebrations, and virtual happy hours without ever leaving their CRM. Key features will include automated invitations, real-time voucher tracking, and ROI analytics for meetings enhanced with meals and drinks. 'Partnering with Neva IT and Bonita Elevario is a game-changer for our enterprise clients,' said Vishal Patel, CEO of GreetEat. 'This Salesforce integration will help companies elevate their virtual engagement with measurable, human-centered experiences.' With over 25 years of experience and a portfolio of Fortune 500 clients, Neva IT brings deep expertise in building secure, scalable CRM solutions. 'GreetEat is redefining how companies connect,' said Bonita Elevario, CEO of Neva IT. 'We're thrilled to help embed that experience directly into Salesforce.' Why Salesforce? As the world's leading CRM platform, Salesforce is trusted by over 150,000 companies. By integrating GreetEat into Salesforce, enterprises can simplify workflows and track the full impact of food-enhanced virtual meetings. Enterprise-Grade Security The integration will adhere to stringent security protocols, including encrypted API access, permission-based controls, and full event logging to protect user and corporate data. A Strategic Leap Forward This partnership marks a pivotal step in GreetEat's enterprise evolution—bringing the power of shared virtual dining to the global Salesforce ecosystem. About GreetEat Corp. GreetEat Corp. (OTC: GEAT) is reimagining how people connect through its virtual dining platform, which merges food delivery with real-time video conferencing for more meaningful remote interactions. About Neva IT Neva IT is a boutique technology firm specializing in enterprise-grade solutions, particularly Salesforce development, with a track record of delivering innovation to leading global organizations.
Khaleej Times
04-06-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Dubai Police announce Eid Al Adha visiting hours for inmates
Dubai Police have announced special visiting hours for inmates during the Eid Al Adha holiday, with video conferencing made available to facilitate communication between inmates and their families. The General Department of Punitive and Correctional Institutions confirmed that families of both male and female inmates, whether residing inside or outside the country, can connect with their loved ones virtually on the first and second days of Eid, from 8am to 12pm. To access the service, families must submit a request through the Dubai Police smartphone app. Once approved, they will receive a text message with the call time and a link to initiate the video call, allowing for a smoother and more personal connection during the festive period. 'The video conferencing service has shown strong results since its introduction, helping maintain family ties, particularly for relatives who are unable to visit in person,' said Major General Marwan Abdul Karim Julfar, Director of the General Department of Punitive and Correctional Institutions. He noted that the initiative reflects Dubai Police's commitment to providing a humane and supportive environment that takes into account the psychological and social needs of inmates. The service uses advanced technical infrastructure developed in cooperation with the General Department of Artificial Intelligence. The initiative is part of a broader set of preparations by Dubai Police for the Eid Al Adha break, which also includes public safety campaigns and traffic advisories. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered the release of 963 inmates from correctional facilities across the country. He also pledged to settle the financial obligations tied to their sentences, offering a fresh start to those who have served their time. Following this, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, ordered the release of 225 prisoners who demonstrated good conduct during their sentences. In Sharjah, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, also ordered the release of 439 inmates from the Sharjah Punitive and Correctional Institution, in line with the values of compassion and forgiveness that mark the Eid holiday.
Forbes
29-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Could Live AI Video Become The Next Zoom?
Could AI video conferencing replace Zoom? Akool AI Camera, with its digital avatars and real-time ... More translation, aims to transform enterprise communication. Video conferencing has become a mainstay of remote work in the post-COVID era. As businesses sought ways to communicate virtually, solutions like Zoom stepped up their game and became a go-to tool for many companies. It's no longer impossible to hold a digital business meeting with participants from different cities and time zones. Examining the impact of video calls in enterprise growth, Zoom released a report in 2021 which revealed some interesting insights. Company executives in industries such as Healthcare (67% of respondents) and Technology (84% of respondents) reported massive successes following their decisions to adopt Zoom calls in lieu of physical gatherings. While the ease of using video conferencing solutions like Zoom have boosted calls for the implementation of remote work or, at least, a hybrid working structure, there have been some concerns. A major limitation to the widespread adoption of video calls in the workplace is the absence of non-verbal signals, a feature that can easily be found in a personal interaction. During a typical check-in virtual call, the participants can see themselves and speak in real time. However, Zoom calls are not designed for speakers to maintain eye contact with their audience or for their body language to be easily interpreted. Essentially, it's one face speaking to many other faces across the world, and that can be less engaging as a study has shown. But what if there's a way for teams across time zones to communicate without worrying about things such as body language or language barriers? AI is leading the way in the live generative video game, and the AI-powered Live Camera tool by Akool is not to be underestimated. With exciting use cases ranging from digital avatar-based communication to live multilingual translations, virtual meetings can feel more natural now. Developed using modern AI technologies including on-device 4D facial mapping, neural voice engines, and a context-aware rendering that can modify an avatar's body language based on audience feedback, Akool Live Camera treats viewers to hyper-realistic video content that is neither pre-recorded or scripted. Beyond digital check-ins in a company, video conferencing can also be applied in some other cases. For instance, a C-level executive can lead a company-wide training session from their home office or even a coffee shop. Unlike the regular virtual meetings that are held over Zoom or Microsoft Teams, AI-powered live videos seek to transform video conferencing. In cases where an American CEO on a Zoom call may rely on closed captions on Zoom to understand a Romanian client, Akool Live Camera simplifies things for everyone. It simply needs to adopt a life-like avatar of the Romanian and adjust their language to English. Additionally, the avatar can pass the human test by using gestures, body language, and other elements of human interaction. Commenting on his company's latest AI-driven product, Dr Jiajun Lu, founder and CEO of Akool believes that they're doing more than just improving the way video calls are done. 'With Akool Live Camera, we're transforming how it's made,' he said in an interview. In today's world of corporate communications, team members can no longer see video conferencing as solely a means of catching up on current projects or for strategizing new steps. AI has long been touted as a catalyst for significant change as exemplified in healthcare and manufacturing. It's time company-wide meetings get a taste of what AI is cooking. AI Live Video technology can make it possible for a guest speaker to not only be heard by viewers across different time zones, but in their respective languages. Through AI-generated avatars, a speaker can share insights in English while the avatars immediately tweak the language to match viewers' diverse needs. Beyond real-time translation, the avatars can sync their lip movements at the right moment, making it difficult to tell that a human isn't speaking. 'This isn't just pre-recorded AI. It's responsive, expressive, and disrupts how humans show up in the real world,' Lu noted. According to Grandview Research, the global AI video market size was estimated at $5.53 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 35.3% from 2024 to 2030, reaching $42.29 billion by 2030. The research firm also estimates the global digital avatar market size at $18.19 billion in 2023, with a projected CAGR of 49.8% from 2024 to 2030. This surge is being driven by demand for scalable communication tools that reduce localization costs, increase reach and personalize interactions. For the Harvard Business Review, Dash Bibhudatta notes that as AI usage in the workplace continues to expand, team meetings will no longer be the same. He adds that AI can 'unlock infinite possibilities for team and organisation.' And that's what Akool's AI Camera is built on — expanding the possibilities of collaborations for employees. Another interesting use case of AI Live Camera as demonstrated by Akool's newest tool is in company-wide training. Training sessions are crucial to business growth as they provide workers the opportunity to acquire new skills which can enhance their operations. Employee satisfaction and increased productivity are some of the obtainable benefits of workplace training. Interestingly, more companies now prefer to deliver training using computer-based methods like videoconferencing. A recent Statista research found that the majority of US-based company-wide training sessions in 2024 were held online, with large corporations preferring a virtual classroom or webcast as a means of instruction. Instead of a multinational company stretching its budget by scouting for multiple speakers fluent in different languages, an AI-led avatar of an instructor can deliver lectures to team members in Beijing, Paris, London and Montevideo using each region's most spoken language. All of this is done in real-time, ensuring that no region feels left out. By eliminating the need for pre-recorded content, interpreters, or travel coordination, companies stand to save tens of thousands of dollars annually, especially when applied at scale across global teams. This means there's no need to spend time on pre-production or rehearsals, saving companies valuable time and money. Of course, not all companies are ready to swap out human presence for digital avatars. Some worry about trust, emotional authenticity, or whether avatars might create an uncanny experience in high-stakes meetings. Others raise regulatory questions around disclosure and digital identity. These concerns are valid and may slow adoption in industries where personalization and nuance are critical. But for anyone who doubts the ability of digital avatars to successfully handle discussions or training sessions, it's worth mentioning that Akool Live Camera reduces the likelihood of human error. While an AI avatar of a company executive speaks to employees across the world, said avatar will not succumb to human mistakes such as failing to unmute themselves, not being able to share screens, or maintaining eye contact. And though AI technology has not yet been perfected, it has proven to be a reliable alternative to humans in some instances. This is one of such scenarios. Beyond the corporate landscape, AI digital avatars could become the next big thing in a field like customer experience. Imagine a digital avatar of a customer support worker attending to a client's complaint while delivering the non-verbal cues of a human being such as smiles and gestures. By personalizing interactions with customers, businesses are more likely to enjoy increased client satisfaction, among other returns on their investment. These outcomes are also possible in fields like sales and online learning. Consider the experience of NongHyup Bank, one of South Korea's biggest financial institutions. In 2022, it added two AI avatars to its customer support team and tasked them with helping customers to find specific banking services that were right for them. The Korean bank's use case demonstrates the far-reaching potentials of AI avatars as a digital identity for every industry player. Workplace communication has evolved from physical meetings to emails to Zoom calls and now AI-powered video calls. Akool Live Camera and other AI tools can serve as the next foundational layer for corporate communications, and Lu agrees with this assertion. He noted that 'the future of AI video generation isn't just digital — it's dynamic, avatar-driven, and universally accessible in real time.' And that's what matters. Global teams should be able to hold strategy sessions, partake in employee training, and other affairs without worrying about network delays, language barriers, and the lack of non-verbal signals. Whether this becomes the next Zoom or the next enterprise add-on remains to be seen, but the economics of AI-powered avatars are beginning to shift the conversation from novelty to necessity. But the message from industry leaders like Lu is that what a human speaker can do on Zoom, a digital avatar can do three times more without the need for pre-production or a script. The tides of videoconferencing are changing and steering companies into the next phase of communication is no other innovation than AI. As these AI-powered avatars become more lifelike, the real question isn't just about what they can do, but whether companies are ready to rethink who gets to speak, in what voice and for whom.
