Interaction - Sathesh Murthy, MD and Engineering Head, RingCentral

In an exclusive interaction with DQ Channels, Sathesh Murthy, Managing Director, and Engineering Head, RingCentral, shared his views about the importance of AI and ML in the communication sector, their approach to ensuring data security, their plans for expansion with the perspective to channel partners, and much more.

How does RingCentral plan to leverage the convergence of cloud technology to further enhance innovation and efficiency, and what specific initiatives are in place for this market?

The intersection of cloud technology and India's telecom sector is ushering in a transformative wave of innovation and efficiency. Cloud-based solutions are optimizing crucial telecom functions such as billing, customer management, and network monitoring. This optimization is achieved by utilizing technologies like SDN, NFV, IoT, and cloud communications. This paradigm shift empowers operators to attain flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness by virtualizing network infrastructure, reducing dependence on physical hardware, and cutting operational costs.

RingCentral, a global leader in cloud communications, stands at the forefront of reshaping the telecom sector. With a presence in over 45 countries and support for 18 languages, RingCentral's recent inclusion of India in its supported countries signifies an expansion of its reach. This move allows multinational organizations in India to leverage the benefits of RingCentral's cloud-based solutions, thereby contributing to the future growth of the industry. The symbiotic relationship between cloud technology and telecom services holds significant promise for India's evolving telecom landscape.

With the increasing importance of AI and ML in the communications sector, can you elaborate on RingCentral's strategy for harnessing these technologies to address the evolving needs of businesses in India, especially in remote work and digital communication?

Evolving technologies such as AI and ML are revolutionizing the communications sector, particularly in burgeoning markets like India. Our dedicated focus is on leveraging these cutting-edge technologies to meet the evolving needs of both businesses and customers. In response to the escalating trends in remote work and digital communication, RingCentral has developed AI-driven solutions meticulously designed to extract valuable insights from the extensive volume of conversation data generated. These solutions empower organizations to refine strategies, boost the likelihood of successful deal closures, automate mundane tasks, and provide real-time insights. Consequently, this leads to heightened productivity and elevated customer experiences.

Our commitment revolves around the core principles of transparency, privacy, and data security, fostering trust in RingCentral’s AI-driven solutions. We envision a future where AI not only streamlines operational processes but also integrates customer insights seamlessly into every facet of an organization. As India undergoes a rapid surge in internet usage and smartphone adoption, the demand for cloud-based communication solutions is witnessing a notable upswing. RingCentral's introduction of AI-driven communication solutions in India strategically positions the company at the forefront of digital transformation. This move caters to businesses seeking to elevate their communication strategies, streamline operations, and enhance customer satisfaction in the dynamic and rapidly growing Indian market.

Security is a crucial aspect of cloud communications. Can you provide insights into RingCentral's approach to ensuring data security in the shared infrastructure environment, especially in light of the regulatory requirements in India?

RingCentral has successfully obtained the necessary approvals from India's Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), marking a significant milestone. This achievement enables us to provide secure and compliant cloud telephony services to enterprises in India. Our unwavering commitment to security is embedded in the values upheld by our CEO, CISO team, and all employees. This commitment is reflected in our robust information security practices, ensuring the protection of data from potential threats like data breaches, vishing, and smishing, by the highest global standards.

We prioritize strict adherence to global privacy laws, including GDPR, underscoring our dedication to safeguarding the privacy of our customers and end users. Furthermore, we empower our customers with powerful front-end security controls, both for administrators and within our application. These controls equip customers with the tools necessary to enhance the security of their day-to-day communications, incorporating features such as authentication controls and spam blocking. Our overarching objective is to deliver a telephony solution that is not only secure and compliant but also instills trust and confidence in our valued customers.

As RingCentral expands its reach in India, what are the key considerations and measures taken to adapt its cloud-based solutions to meet the dynamic needs of businesses in this market?

The convergence of 5G, Private LTE (Pvt LTE), Edge computing, and decentralized Clouds is on the verge of transforming industries across the board. The rapid speeds and minimal latency offered by 5G will usher in a new era of connectivity, giving rise to innovations such as autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and immersive AR/VR experiences. Private LTE networks, leveraging the advantages of 5G, will empower organizations to establish dedicated, secure, and high-performance wireless networks customized to their specific requirements. This enhancement will particularly benefit industrial automation, IoT applications, and comprehensive connectivity within campuses. Collaborations and bundled offerings have the potential to generate innovative solutions in enterprise communications. RingCentral, with its extensive range of products in areas like UCaaS, CCaaS, conversational AI, and a broad partner ecosystem, including major phone carriers, is well-positioned to elevate its offerings. The availability of deep integration within our platform and collaborations with industry-leading products can result in integrated, seamless communication solutions that address the evolving needs of businesses.

From a channel partner’s perspective, what are your plans ahead for the expansion? How do you envision strengthening the relationship between the company and its channel partners?

As a global partner program, we are committed to providing RingCentral Reach partners with the tools and resources to bring our leading cloud communications solutions to market, so they can grow their business no matter where they reside. We look forward to building our network of support in India and the new opportunities it will unlock.

How does the company plan to stay at the forefront of digital transformation?

To remain at the forefront of digital transformation, we continue to be a customer-centric, innovation-first organization. By understanding the pain points and challenges our customers are facing, we can be sure to develop new solutions and enhance our current solutions to better optimize their businesses and stay ahead. At RingCentral, we stay adaptable to market changes, maintain compliance with regulations, and invest in continuous employee training to keep our workforce abreast of the latest advancements. By embracing these strategies, we aim to deliver cutting-edge telephony solutions that meet the evolving needs of the digital landscape.

Given the rapid growth in demand for cloud-based communication solutions in India, what specific steps is RingCentral taking to address the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the Indian market?

The enterprise cloud communications sector in India is currently navigating a landscape that presents both challenges and opportunities. Within India's regulatory framework, data privacy and security concerns are of utmost importance, necessitating businesses to navigate evolving data protection regulations and adhere to data localization requirements.

We have recently received essential regulatory approvals from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to provide compliant cloud telephony services for enterprises in India. Emphasizing security as a core principle, we prioritize trust across all levels, from our CEO and CISO organization to every employee. Our commitment to security is evident in various aspects:

Information Security Protocols:

Our practices ensure the safeguarding of customer data, protecting communication data from potential threats like data breaches, vishing, and smishing. We adhere to the highest global security standards, offering customers confidence and peace of mind.

Adherence to Global Privacy Laws:

We adhere strictly to global privacy laws, assuring customers that RingCentral safeguards their data and ensures compliance with regulations such as GDPR. This commitment alleviates regulatory concerns for our customers.

Front-End Security Controls:

Our platform offers robust front-end security controls for administrators and within the application itself. Customers can secure their everyday communications through features such as administrative controls for authentication, spam blocking, and more. This empowers users to maintain a secure communication environment.