Patrick Dennis Takes Over as Avaya's CEO

 Big changes are happening over at Avaya. The telecom giant, best known for providing phone systems to everyone from small businesses to massive government agencies, has a new CEO in Patrick Dennis. And he’s already shaking things up. Dennis isn’t the type to just sit back and ride the wave—he’s got a plan, and it’s not just about sticking with the status quo. He’s stepping in at a crucial time, as Avaya navigates the tricky waters between their long-established products and the newer, shinier world of cloud-based solutions.

Patrick Dennis Takes Over as Avaya's CEO 

New Chapter in an Old 

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Dennis has been pretty open about his approach—he’s not interested in completely abandoning Avaya’s traditional line phone systems (like the popular Avaya IP Office). Instead, it’s about balance. “We’ve always built these systems well,” Dennis says, “but the future? Yeah, that’s in the cloud.” That doesn’t mean Avaya’s ready to cut ties with its past, though. There’s still a huge demand for reliable, traditional phone systems, and Avaya Phone Systems have built a reputation over decades as being durable, user-friendly, and able to adapt to whatever a business throws at them.

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One of the things Dennis seems most pumped about is the channel. Now, if you’re not a telecom insider, that might sound a little, well, boring. But here’s the thing—over 70% of Avaya’s sales happen through partners, not directly from the company. And that’s a big deal. Dennis, who’s spent much of his career working with channel-focused businesses, understands the importance of keeping those relationships strong. He’s teamed up with Avaya’s channel sales leader, Chris Dickson, to make sure the company’s partners feel heard and valued. "You gotta listen first," Dennis says. "That’s how you stay ahead."

And, of course, we can’t talk about the future without talking about artificial intelligence. AI is already creeping into every industry, and Avaya is no exception. They’ve been experimenting with layering AI into their contact center solutions, and Dennis sees this as a huge opportunity. He’s particularly excited about how AI can improve customer experiences, making them smoother and more efficient. But he’s also pragmatic—he knows the industry is facing some headwinds, and not everything is going to be a smooth ride.

Companies like Atlantic Business System, are preparing for the shift with having both an understanding of both the traditional Line Phone Systems like the Avaya Phone System, as well as the Avaya Cloud.  Its having this understanding that they feel gives them an edge going forward says, Mr Palcher. 

At the end of the day, Avaya remains a key player in the phone systems market, and with Dennis leading the charge, they’re not going anywhere. Whether it’s the old-school Avaya Phone Systems that businesses have relied on for years or the newer cloud solutions and AI integrations, the company is ready to evolve while staying true to its roots. It’s clear that under Dennis’ leadership, Avaya’s focus is on innovation, but with a nod to the past—because sometimes, the old ways still work.

This article is based on this article on New CEO at Avaya 

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