[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]Arkadin, one of the world's largest and fastest-growing Collaboration Service Providers, today announced the acquisition of consulting and hosting service provider implement.com. A key Microsoft partner, Seattle-based implement.com specializes in project-focused consulting services for Microsoft technologies, and delivers a range of Unified Communications(http://www.chinookcommunications.com/)-as-a-Service solutions through its Chinook Communications division. Arkadin will benefit from honed unified communications expertise and an advanced hosted collaboration service platform to accelerate its growth in Cloud-based enterprise collaboration.

With growth projected at 38% CAGR for the next few years, UCaaS(http://www.arkadin.com/us/our-solutions/unified-co...) is the fastest growing collaboration business segment(http://www.arkadin.com/us/our-solutions/collaborat...) and it is at the center of Arkadin's collaboration strategy. Arkadin has a full range of solutions for audio, web, video conferencing and unified communications services. Headquartered in Paris, it serves approximately 37,000 customers in 32 countries through its regional operations.

“This is a highly strategic acquisition that will dramatically accelerate Arkadin's leadership in the UCaaS space,” says Olivier de Puymorin, CEO and founder of Arkadin. “implement.com has a stellar track record in enabling service providers to leverage hosted voice and Microsoft technologies - especially Lync and Exchange. Their trusted thought leadership, high quality services, and international reputation for delivering cloud solutions will be a tremendous asset as we seek greater UCaaS market share worldwide.”

“We're extremely excited to bring our expertise in delivering hosted telephony and Microsoft applications such as Exchange, Lync and SharePoint to Arkadin,” says implement.com CEO Steve Schwartz. “Their phenomenal growth and influence in the collaboration market, along with their global footprint and technology infrastructure, give us new leverage to expand our client base. With a shared vision for UCaaS, we have unlimited potential to UC enable businesses worldwide who seek greater communications efficiencies.”

“We are thrilled to see Arkadin and implement.com combine their offerings to enhance UCaaS for customers. Together they will provide the latest Microsoft hosted collaboration solutions in the way businesses consume services today,” says Marco Limena, vice president, WW Hosting Service Providers, Microsoft. “The UCaaS segment is poised for rapid growth in the next few years, and we are excited about the offers these two companies together will bring to the market globally.”