8x8 has announced it is experiencing strong channel momentum and growth driven by the 8x8 integrated cloud contact centre and communications product.

8x8's channel-first strategy, centred around the global 8x8 Open Channel Program, is helping channel partners meet increasing demand for cloud solutions that allow mid-market, enterprise and public sector organisations optimise employee and customer engagement, the company states.

The 8x8 Open Channel Program is designed to provide the 8x8 channel community, from Master and Sub Agents to Value Added Resellers (VARs), with resources to grow their customer base, build new revenue streams and increase profits.

For the third quarter of fiscal 2021 ended December 31, 2020, 8x8 reported continued global channel success as partners turned to the 8x8 integrated contact centre and communications platform to deliver value for their customers.

Highlights from 8x8's third quarter include:

• Channel bookings grew 64% year-over-year and represented 64% of new bookings
• Channel partners drove eight of the top ten deals, and enterprise Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) growth of 46%
• Globally across all regions, the 8x8 channel delivered their highest new bookings quarter on record
• The number of partners selling the 8x8 integrated contact centre and communications platform grew by over 38% year-over-year
• 8x8 Blitz Day events achieved more than 6X pipeline growth for channel partners

In addition, 8x8 senior vice president and global channel chief John DeLozier was named by CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, to the 2021 list of Channel Chiefs. This is the sixth consecutive year he has received this recognition.

The CRN Channel Chiefs list, released annually, recognises leading IT channel vendor executives who continually demonstrate leadership, influence, innovation, and growth.

8x8 was also recognised as the 2020 CRN UK Cloud Services Vendor of the Year, and the 8x8 Open Channel Program was awarded the 2020 TechTarget Archer Awards - North America for Best Channel Enablement Program.

On the company's channel growth, DeLozier says, “The success of our channel-first strategy is driven by our fantastic partners, who have built strong and trusted long-term relationships with their customers.

"They are essential in guiding organisations along their digital transformation journey as they move off legacy, on-premises communications and customer engagement systems.

"The channel recognises the shift to the cloud is a major growth opportunity, and has been instrumental in driving momentum for the 8x8 integrated contact centre and communications product.

"Our investments in the channel, the 8x8 Open Channel Program, and especially our partners, is paying off.