AT&T customers can receive up to $7,500 in $17M data breach settlement: Here’s how to claim

by hannahadmin | Aug 15, 2025 | blog, Seimless

Former and current AT&T customers are eligible to receive up to $7,500 as part of a settlement involving class-action lawsuits over two major data breaches.

The telecommunications giant said earlier this month that it has reached a proposed settlement of $177 million – including $149 million for the first class-action lawsuit and $28 million for the second.

The first case involved a data breach revealed in March 2024 that impacted 73 million current and former account holders.
Hackers stole personal information like birth dates and Social Security numbers and spread this data across the dark web.

A second breach announced in July 2024 compromised the call and text records of “nearly all” of AT&T’s customers. Those logs were downloaded by hackers onto a third-party platform.

The $177 million settlement is still awaiting approval, with a final hearing scheduled for Dec. 3 in the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas.

How do I know if I am eligible?
Current and former customers can file for compensation if their data was jeopardized in the breach ahead of the December hearing.

Eligible customers will receive an email alert from at***********@********sa.com – the address for Kroll Settlement Administration.

Customers who are unsure if they qualify can call (833) 890-4930, KSA said.

How do I file for payment?
To receive compensation, you must fill out a claim form at telecomdatasettlement.com by Nov. 18.
If you choose to file a claim, you forfeit your right to sue AT&T.

How much payment can I expect?
Those impacted by the March 2024 data breach are eligible for up to $5,000, according to the settlement website. They can make claims for losses “that occurred in 2019, or later.”

Customers affected by the July 2024 breach are eligible for up to $2,500 “for losses that occurred on or after April 14, 2024.”

Those impacted by both hacks are eligible for up to $7,500 as an “overlap settlement class member.”

AT&T will require documentation of the losses to show they are “fairly traceable” to the data breaches.

Ready to evaluate ERP systems or compare platforms in a live business case?

by hannahadmin | Jun 11, 2025 | blog, Seimless

Executive Summary

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software has evolved from simple back-office automation tools to mission-critical platforms that power every facet of an organization—from finance to supply chain, HR to customer engagement. With options ranging from on-premise deployments to fully cloud-native ERP platforms, understanding how to compare ERP systems and choose the right one for your unique needs is more important than ever.

This whitepaper will guide you through:

• How to choose between cloud-based and on-premise ERP platforms
• Criteria for identifying a good ERP system vs. an ineffective one
• The latest ERP trends in 2025
• A comparative breakdown of the top 10 ERP solutions
• Decision-making criteria to help you choose the right ERP for your enterprise

Cloud vs. On-Premise ERP: Core Differences

Key Takeaway:

Choose Cloud ERP for speed, scalability, and lower upfront cost. Choose On-Premise ERP for greater control, security, and customization—often preferred in highly regulated sectors like government, defense, or manufacturing.

What Makes ERP Software Effective?

Characteristics of an Effective ERP Solution:

• Unified modules across departments (finance, HR, CRM, inventory)
• Strong integration APIs for third-party apps
• Real-time analytics and dashboards
• Intuitive user interface (UX)
• Customizable workflows
• Mobile access and cross-platform support
• Role-based access and layered security

Signs of an Ineffective ERP:

• Siloed modules with poor interconnectivity
• Frequent downtime or bugs during updates
• Long implementation cycles (12+ months)
• Limited support for compliance or industry standards
• High total cost of ownership with low ROI
• Poor vendor training or customer service

Trends in ERP Software – 2025

1. AI-Powered Insights

Modern ERPs are embedding AI/ML for real-time forecasting, fraud detection, and predictive inventory management.

2. Composable ERP Architecture

Companies now favor modular, API-first systems that integrate best-of-breed apps (CRM, payroll, billing) rather than monolithic ERPs.

3. Industry-Specific ERPs

Niche platforms tailored to manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, or retail offer better functionality out of the box.

4. Low-Code/No-Code ERP Customization

Platforms now empower business users—not just IT—to modify workflows and dashboards with minimal coding.

5. ERP + Cybersecurity Fusion

Integrated identity management, encryption, and compliance auditing are now standard in cloud ERPs.

Top 10 ERP Solutions for 2025 (Cloud & On-Premise)

Comparing ERP Solutions – Why Choose One Over the Other?

How to Choose the Right ERP for Your Business

1. Assess Internal Readiness

• Is your team equipped to manage on-premises deployments?
• Do you have a dedicated IT and cybersecurity function?

2. Define Business Goals

• Do you need fast deployment, or highly customized workflows?
• Is rapid scaling more important than granular control?

3. Evaluate Budget Constraints

• Can you afford large CAPEX upfront, or prefer OPEX subscription?
• What is the 3–5 year TCO (Total Cost of Ownership)?

4. Check Integration Needs

• What third-party systems must be integrated (CRM, e-commerce, payroll)?
• Do you require open APIs or pre-built connectors?

5. Prioritize Compliance and Security

• Are you under HIPAA, GDPR, SOX, or CMMC mandates?
• Does the vendor provide role-based security and audit logs?

Conclusion

ERP selection is not just a software decision—it’s a business transformation strategy. Whether you lean toward a cloud-native ERP for agility or an on-premise platform for control and compliance, ensure that your choice aligns with your company’s growth trajectory, IT maturity, and industry requirements.

Organizations must look beyond features and pricing to evaluate ERP platforms based on flexibility, scalability, integration capability, and long-term vendor viability. The ERP you choose today will define how efficiently your company operates tomorrow.

Call to Action

Ready to evaluate ERP systems or compare platforms in a live business case? Request our ERP Decision Matrix and Vendor Scorecard Templates, or speak to one of our ERP transformation consultants for a free discovery session.

https://www.seimless.com/services/

https://cloudcallcenter.io/

Need help building a custom network strategy or evaluating ISPs for an RFP?

by hannahadmin | Jun 11, 2025 | blog, Seimless

Executive Summary

As enterprises face increasing demands for cloud access, remote work, real-time collaboration, and cybersecurity, selecting the right Internet Service Provider (ISP) and network topology has become mission-critical. Developing a custom network strategy to navigate today’s networking choices, which are more complex than ever, spanning Managed vs. Unmanaged networks, and topologies like MPLS, Metro Ethernet, Dedicated Internet Access (DIA), SD-WAN, and Quantum-Resistant SD-WAN (QRSD-WAN).

This whitepaper provides a comprehensive guide to:

• Choosing between managed and unmanaged network services
• Evaluating modern WAN topologies
• Identifying which solution best fits your business model
• Understanding what makes a good ISP versus a poor one
• Reviewing the latest trends in network connectivity
• Comparing the Top 10 Enterprise ISP Solutions for 2025

Managed vs. Unmanaged Networks: What’s Right for You?

Key Considerations:

• Choose Managed if uptime, redundancy, and support are more important than granular control.
• Choose Unmanaged if you need flexible routing, customization, or already operate a robust network operations team.

Understanding Network Topologies

1. MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching)

• Strengths: Predictable performance, low latency, secure private circuits.
• Weaknesses: Expensive, limited cloud flexibility.
• Best For: Banks, healthcare, and global enterprises with centralized data centers.

2. Metro Ethernet

• Strengths: Scalable bandwidth, low latency in urban areas, cost-effective for local/regional sites.
• Weaknesses: Geographic limitations.
• Best For: Urban or campus-based businesses with high-speed requirements.

3. Dedicated Internet Access (DIA)

• Strengths: SLA-backed, symmetrical speeds, always-on access.
• Weaknesses: Higher cost than broadband, less secure without overlay.
• Best For: Organizations needing guaranteed bandwidth for cloud/SaaS.

4. SD-WAN (Software-Defined WAN)

• Strengths: Dynamic path selection, cloud-optimized, bandwidth aggregation, application-aware routing.
• Weaknesses: Relies on underlying broadband; security must be layered.
• Best For: Multi-site enterprises, especially those using SaaS or IaaS heavily.

5. QRSD-WAN (Quantum-Resistant SD-WAN)

• Strengths: All SD-WAN benefits plus quantum-safe encryption and zero-trust architecture.
• Weaknesses: Emerging technology; fewer providers, higher cost.
• Best For: Defense, finance, critical infrastructure, or businesses with long data retention obligations.

What Makes an ISP Solution Effective?

 Qualities of a Reliable ISP:

• SLA-Driven Performance (latency, uptime, packet loss)
• Real-Time Network Visibility & Analytics
• Built-In Security Services (DDoS protection, firewalls)
• Scalability (up to multi-gig bandwidth)
• Cloud On-Ramps (direct AWS, Azure, Google Cloud connections)
• Edge PoPs (Points of Presence) close to your locations

 Signs of an Ineffective ISP:

• Hidden overages or burst fees
• Lack of proactive monitoring
• High latency or packet loss
• No direct support—outsourced NOC
• Poor integration with cloud or hybrid environments

Top Trends in ISP and Network Services (2025)

1. Rise of QRSD-WAN for Post-Quantum Security

Leading ISPs are deploying quantum-resistant encryption algorithms for long-term data confidentiality.

2. Cloud-Native Networking

ISPs now offer direct cloud integrations (Cloudflare, ZScaler, AWS Direct Connect) as standard.

3. AI-Driven Network Monitoring

AI predicts failures, reroutes traffic, and optimizes bandwidth in real time—especially in SD-WAN deployments.

4. Zero Trust Networking

Managed ISPs now deploy identity-first access models with micro-segmentation.

5. ISP-as-a-Service

Vendors now bundle connectivity with security, WAFs, and performance monitoring under single contracts.

Top 10 Enterprise ISP and Network Providers (2025)

1. AT&T Business

• Best For: Global MPLS, 5G WAN backup
• Strengths: Global reach, robust managed services, QRSD-WAN integrations

2. Lumen (formerly CenturyLink)

• Best For: DIA and metro fiber
• Strengths: Dense metro Ethernet, real-time analytics, low latency

3. Comcast Business

• Best For: North American mid-market
• Strengths: Affordable DIA and SD-WAN bundles

4. Verizon Business

• Best For: SD-WAN and wireless backup
• Strengths: Edge-compute ready, cloud integrations, strong uptime SLAs

5. Cogent Communications

• Best For: Affordable global DIA
• Strengths: Low latency backbone, fast installs, strong SLA guarantees

6. Zayo Group

• Best For: Fiber-rich deployments
• Strengths: Dark fiber, high-speed transport, private cloud connectivity

7. Masergy (now part of Comcast)

• Best For: Secure SD-WAN
• Strengths: Managed security and performance-based routing

8. Cato Networks

• Best For: Cloud-native SD-WAN + SASE
• Strengths: Full SASE stack, cloud-delivered, QR-ready encryption

9. Aryaka

• Best For: Global hybrid WANs
• Strengths: Fully managed SD-WAN with low-latency backbone

10. Google Cloud Network (via Partners)

• Best For: AI & cloud-native firms
• Strengths: Cloud-optimized networking, edge integration, private cloud routing

Decision Framework: How to Choose

Final Considerations

Before selecting an ISP or network solution, assess the following:

• Number of locations & user density
• Cloud reliance (SaaS, IaaS, PaaS)
• Compliance requirements (HIPAA, PCI, CMMC)
• In-house IT capabilities
• Projected growth over 3–5 years

Conclusion

The right ISP and network design isn’t a commodity—it’s a strategic enabler. Whether you choose MPLS for guaranteed delivery, SD-WAN for cloud optimization, or QRSD-WAN to future-proof your infrastructure, matching your selection to business goals and security needs is essential. Partnering with the right provider ensures performance, uptime, scalability, and compliance.

https://www.seimless.com/contact-us/

https://cloudcallcenter.io/

What Makes a Call Center Solution Effective?

by hannahadmin | Jun 11, 2025 | blog, Seimless

Key Attributes of a Strong Solution

1. Omnichannel Capabilities: An effective call center solution integrates voice, chat, SMS, email, and social media under one platform. Identifying and implementing such a solution is essential for modern business operations.
2. Intelligent Routing: Skills-based, AI-driven routing ensures customers reach the right agent fast and reflects the effectiveness of a call center solution.
3. Real-Time Analytics: Dashboards and KPIs that provide actionable performance insights are crucial in any solution aiming for effectiveness.
4. Workforce Optimization (WFO): Forecasting, scheduling, and quality management tools represent features of an effective call center solution.
5. CRM & Third-Party Integrations: Seamless connectivity with Salesforce, Zendesk, Microsoft, etc., is a part of an effective solution.
6. Security & Compliance: PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR adherence depending on industry ensures compliance within an effective call center solution.

Signs of an Ineffective Solution

• Limited channel support (e.g., voice-only) is a characteristic of an ineffective call center solution.
• Poor call quality or high latency disrupts the effectiveness of any solution.
• Lack of automation or AI capabilities undermines the effectiveness of a call center solution.
• Minimal customization or reporting options are signs of an ineffective solution.
• Poor vendor support and service SLAs should alert you to an ineffective solution choice.

Latest Trends in Call Center Technology (2025)

1. AI-Powered Virtual Agents

Virtual agents now handle up to 40% of tier-one inquiries across industries, thereby proving to be part of an effective call center solution by reducing workload and improving response times.

2. Hybrid Agent Models

AI augments—not replaces—agents with real-time suggestions, transcriptions, and sentiment analysis. This enhancement supports the effectiveness of the call center solution.

3. Cloud-First Deployments

Over 70% of new deployments are cloud-based due to flexibility, lower cost, and remote work support, making them part of effective call center solutions.

4. Conversational IVR & NLP

Natural Language Processing (NLP) enhances self-service experiences, as part of effective call center solutions, by minimizing menu fatigue.

5. Security-First Design

Built-in voice biometrics, encrypted recordings, and real-time fraud detection are now standard, solidifying the effectiveness of call center solutions.

Top 10 Call Center Solutions in 2025

1. Genesys Cloud CX

• Type: Hosted
• Strengths: AI-driven routing, native WFO, strong analytics contribute to its effectiveness.
• Best For: It is effective for mid-to-enterprise organizations needing global omnichannel support.

2. Five9

• Type: Hosted
• Strengths: Cloud-native, robust AI, easy CRM integration make it an effective solution.
• Best For: Fast-scaling businesses needing flexibility and automation find it effective.

3. NICE CXone

• Type: Hosted
• Strengths: Advanced WFO, speech analytics, AI coaching contribute to its effectiveness.
• Best For: Enterprise-level contact centers focused on quality management find it effective.

4. Talkdesk

• Type: Hosted
• Strengths: Intuitive UX, low-code customization, strong AI tools enhance effectiveness.
• Best For: Agile teams with frequent configuration changes see it as an effective solution.

5. Avaya Experience Platform

• Type: Hybrid (Hosted & On-Prem)
• Strengths: Customizable deployment, strong legacy migration support indicate effectiveness.
• Best For: Enterprises with legacy infrastructure or tight compliance needs find it effective.

6. Cisco Webex Contact Center

• Type: Hosted / Hybrid
• Strengths: Enterprise-grade, highly secure, scalable features provide an effective solution.
• Best For: Security-conscious organizations with IT governance needs view it as effective.

7. RingCentral Contact Center

• Type: Hosted
• Strengths: Seamless UCaaS + CCaaS integration, AI routing illustrate effectiveness.
• Best For: Organizations already using RingCentral UC or needing remote flexibility find it effective.

8. 8×8 Contact Center

• Type: Hosted
• Strengths: Cost-effective, strong UC integration, analytics ensure effectiveness.
• Best For: Small to mid-sized businesses find it effective.

9. Zendesk Talk

• Type: Hosted
• Strengths: Embedded voice in Zendesk CRM, fast setup demonstrate effectiveness.
• Best For: Teams already using Zendesk as their CRM see it as effective.

10. Alvaria (formerly Aspect Software)

• Type: Premise-Based / Hosted
• Strengths: Predictive dialing, deep compliance, customizable tools show effectiveness.
• Best For: Financial services, collections, and outbound-heavy operations are effectively supported.

Decision-Making Framework

Key Evaluation Questions

• What channels do our customers expect (voice, chat, SMS, email)?
• How large is our team now, and what are our growth expectations?
• Do we require deep integrations with existing CRMs or ERPs?
• Is security and compliance a high concern (e.g., financial or healthcare)?
• Do we want control or agility?

Conclusion

Choosing between hosted and premise-based call center platforms depends on your operational model, growth stage, industry, and regulatory profile. While cloud platforms are ideal for speed and agility, on-premise deployments offer unmatched customization and security for specific industries. Finding a call center solution that effectively addresses your needs and provides necessary tools is critical.

Call to Action

Before choosing a vendor, conduct a full business needs assessment, including input from IT, customer experience, compliance, and finance departments. Consider a pilot program with 2–3 shortlisted platforms to test usability, performance, and integrations before committing to an effective call center solution choice.

Choosing the Right Hosting and Co-Location Solution for Your Business

by hannahadmin | Jun 11, 2025 | blog, Seimless

Executive Summary

In today’s digital-first economy, reliable infrastructure is the backbone of every enterprise. Whether launching applications, storing mission-critical data, or running AI and machine learning workloads, businesses require hosting environments that are secure, scalable, resilient, and tailored to their operational needs. For many, this means finding a comprehensive hosting and co-location solution.

This whitepaper explores:

• The key differences between managed and unmanaged hosting/co-location
• What makes hosting solutions effective or ineffective
• How to align offerings with your business needs
• The latest trends shaping the hosting and data center industry
• A comparative analysis of the top 10 solutions in 2025

Understanding Hosting and Co-Location Services

Hosting Solutions

Hosting involves renting server space from a provider who may also manage the infrastructure. Variants include:

• Shared Hosting
• Virtual Private Servers (VPS)
• Dedicated Hosting
• Cloud Hosting (IaaS, PaaS)

Co-Location (Colo)

Co-location means housing your owned physical servers in a third-party data center, benefiting from their power, cooling, bandwidth, and physical security.

Managed vs. Unmanaged: What’s the Difference?

Key Question:

Do you have the internal resources to manage complex IT systems 24/7?
If not, managed solutions may offer more value and less risk.

What Makes a Hosting or Co-Location Solution Effective?

1. Reliability & Uptime
   • Look for Tier III or Tier IV data centers with 99.99%+ SLAs.
2. Scalability
   • Ability to scale vertically (performance) and horizontally (instances) as your business grows.
3. Security
   • Includes physical security, DDoS protection, access controls, and compliance (SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, etc.).
4. Network Redundancy
   • Multiple carriers, BGP routing, and redundant power/cooling systems.
5. Support & Monitoring
   • 24/7 NOC/SOC support, incident response, real-time monitoring.

Why Hosting and Co-Location Solutions Fail

• Vendor Lock-In: Inflexible contracts and limited migration options.
• Underserved SLAs: Downtime that disrupts critical business processes.
• Overprovisioning or Underutilization: Paying for unused capacity or failing to meet demand.
• Poor Support: Slow or limited assistance, especially for unmanaged clients.
• Hidden Costs: Fees for bandwidth, IPs, support calls, or hardware upgrades.

Trends in Hosting and Co-Location for 2025

1. Hybrid Cloud Integration

Enterprises blend colocation with public/private cloud for cost-efficiency and flexibility.

2. AI & High-Performance Compute Hosting

Co-location providers now offer GPU-ready racks and HPC hosting tailored for AI workloads.

3. Edge Data Centers

Smaller, distributed data centers bring applications closer to users, reducing latency.

4. Green Data Centers

Sustainability is now a differentiator. Renewable energy, liquid cooling, and carbon tracking are standard.

5. Zero Trust & Cybersecurity Integration

Security-first architecture with encryption, MFA, and zero-trust network models built in.

Top 10 Hosting and Co-Location Providers in 2025

1. Equinix

• Services: Global colocation, cloud interconnects, edge services
• Strengths: Over 240 IBX data centers, direct cloud connections (AWS, Azure, Google)
• Best For: Enterprises with global operations or hybrid strategies

2. Digital Realty

• Services: Co-location, hybrid cloud enablement, interconnection
• Strengths: Scalable enterprise infrastructure, sustainability initiatives
• Best For: Enterprises with complex compliance and scalability needs

3. Iron Mountain Data Centers

• Services: Secure co-location, disaster recovery, and cloud enablement
• Strengths: High compliance (FISMA, FedRAMP), physical security
• Best For: Finance, healthcare, government sectors

4. IBM Cloud

• Services: Managed hosting, bare metal servers, AI-focused cloud
• Strengths: AI-ready, quantum testing environments, security certifications
• Best For: Regulated industries and AI/ML workloads

5. OVHcloud

• Services: Bare metal, private cloud, co-location
• Strengths: Cost-effective, European compliance, high-performance options
• Best For: SMBs and cost-conscious enterprises

6. Rackspace Technology

• Services: Managed cloud, hosting, migration services
• Strengths: Vendor-agnostic multicloud support (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Best For: Businesses transitioning to cloud but needing support

7. PhoenixNAP

• Services: IaaS, co-location, bare metal, DDoS protection
• Strengths: Global edge locations, DevOps-friendly API access
• Best For: Startups, developers, edge computing

8. Hivelocity

• Services: Dedicated servers, hybrid colocation, private cloud
• Strengths: Instant provisioning, 40+ global locations
• Best For: SMEs looking for high performance at lower cost

9. CoreSite (an American Tower company)

• Services: Co-location, cloud onramps, data center interconnects
• Strengths: Strong U.S. presence, direct cloud access
• Best For: Enterprises needing high interconnection density

10. Liquid Web

• Services: Fully managed VPS, dedicated hosting, private cloud
• Strengths: White-glove support, predictable pricing
• Best For: eCommerce, WordPress-heavy businesses, IT-light orgs

Decision-Making Matrix

Choosing the Right Hosting & Co-Location Partner

Ask these critical questions:

• What’s our internal capacity to manage infrastructure?
• Do we need geographic diversity or local compliance?
• How scalable is our workload?
• Are we deploying AI, IoT, or high-performance apps?
• What are our uptime and SLA requirements?

Key Considerations

Conclusion

The right hosting or co-location solution doesn’t just house your infrastructure—it becomes the foundation of digital transformation. Whether you’re a startup, a growing mid-market firm, or a global enterprise, understanding the trade-offs between managed and unmanaged services, aligning to business needs, and choosing a future-ready provider will determine your success.