Clarity Consulting Inc., is proud to announce that its native Lync contact center solution, Clarity Connect, has achieved Microsoft’s Lync ISV qualification. Clarity Connect is a contact center solution built exclusively for Microsoft Lync. Connect acts as an additional Lync server role to supply contact center functionality.

“By natively adding functionality to the Lync platform, Clarity Connect helps reduce the cost and complexity associated with deploying customer care solutions and maximizes the value of Lync for customers,” said Jon Morrow Senior Program Manager for Lync.

The Lync ISV qualification program is designed to help ensure that qualified applications meet customer expectations. As a Microsoft partner, Clarity extends the Lync software platform in order to meet an expanding variety of business and communication needs. Only products that meet rigorous and extensive testing requirements and conform to the specifications and test plans receive qualification.

“Clarity Connect has always been an enterprise-class Lync solution. This ISV qualification serves as another testament to the quality of our product and the value we are able to bring to organizations looking to add native contact center functionality to Lync,” said Jon Rauschenberger, CTO of Clarity Consulting.

Connect is a server-based application that acts as an additional Lync server role for contact centers, and supports both Lync Server 2010 and 2013. The solution includes full contact center functionality, including ACD, IVR, call recording, screen pops, IM, web chat, a visual IVR editor, a self-service installer, as well as robust reporting and analytics. It can be deployed for operations ranging in size from small call centers to large and complex enterprise contact centers with geographically dispersed operations.

Designed with enterprise class industry standards, the testing for the Lync ISV qualification covers performance, reliability, and SDK/API utilization.

“Clarity Connect takes full advantage of the Lync APIs in order to seamlessly integrate a robust set of contact center features into Lync,” said Rauschenberger. “As companies move to Microsoft Lync as their voice platform, they are looking for ways to maximize their investment and reduce redundant systems.  Clarity Connect offers a very compelling solution to achieve both goals.”

About Clarity Connect

Clarity Connect is a robust contact center product delivered exclusively on Microsoft Lync. Built native to Lync, the solution seamlessly integrates with your existing infrastructure. Clarity Connect quickly adds full functionality with a simple, fixed fee per user. At Clarity we imagined a better contact center solution, and then we built it.

CHICAGO–Clarity Consulting Inc. today announced the launch of Contre Jour, a visually stunning game the firm developed in partnership with Microsoft and Mokus Games to showcase the ability of Internet Explorer 10 and HTML5. The game, built with HTML5 and JavaScript, is the first of its fidelity and complexity to be developed for the web.

Clarity Consulting specializes in the custom development and user experience design of digital experiences on Microsoft platforms and devices. Microsoft selected Clarity to bring Contre Jour to the web using only HTML5 and JavaScript. The project pushed the boundaries of what even Microsoft thought possible and definitively proved that HTML5 is a viable platform for gaming on the web.

Created by Maksym Hryniv of Mokus Games and made popular on iOS, Contre Jour is known world-wide for its innovative gameplay, charming art style, and captivating soundtrack. With approximately 50,000 lines of code converted to JavaScript, Clarity worked extensively to fine-tune the code and achieve app-like performance.

The team at Clarity, described as “HTML5 ninjas” by Ryan Gavin, general manager of Internet Explorer, has partnered with Microsoft on similar projects for development work which has resulted in a positive track record for overcoming tough technical challenges.

Until now, HTML5 was a relatively untested and underused technology in complex game development compared to native applications and Adobe Flash. In addition to complicated physics, the iOS game utilizes OpenGL which doesn’t exist in HTML5. Some wondered if it was even possible to port such a rich experience without making major sacrifices to game play or visual composition. Clarity was able to maintain the artistic integrity of the game and still yield good performance with modern web browsers.

“Pixel-shaders and other helpful tools available in more commonly used gaming technologies aren’t available in HTML5, so we had to start from scratch and build a foundation for the game. Some people wondered if this could be done for a game with such high quality standards, but we did it, and we’re proud of the achievement,” said Jerry Brunning, Engagement Director and Partner at Clarity Consulting.

As Microsoft’s latest browser, Internet Explorer 10 showcases an updated JavaScript engine and advanced multi-touch features. The game features an all new multi-touch world that can only be played on a multi-touch capable browser, such as Internet Explorer 10 on a Windows 8 tablet.

In conjunction with the game, Clarity created a starter framework to help other developers who want to build HTML5 games. It includes well-documented source code and sample gaming patterns and walks developers through the steps necessary to create a basic game. The starter framework, as well as more behind the scenes information, can be found at A Behind the Scenes Look at Contre Jour.

Learn more about Clarity’s application development work on complex line of business applications on the web.

Read the press release on BusinessWire.

About Clarity Consulting

Clarity Consulting specializes in the custom development and user experience design of digital experiences on Microsoft platforms and devices. Specifically, the company works on technologies and platforms such as Windows Phone, Xbox, Microsoft Kinect, Microsoft Lync, Microsoft SharePoint, Windows 8, and C#.

NEW YORK, August 21, 2012 — Inc. magazine today ranked Clarity Consulting for the fifth consecutive year on its sixth annual Inc. 500|5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy—America’s independent entrepreneurs. Clarity has earned a spot on the Inc. 500|5000 for five consecutive years, showcasing that in its 18 years in business and one of the first Microsoft partners, that it continues to grow competitively year over year.

“We’re exceptionally proud of this award – our fifth consecutive year on the Inc. 500/5000,“ said Jeff Smith, Chief Executive Officer at Clarity Consulting. “In a list packed with start-ups, we’re an outlier having just celebrated our 18th anniversary. We hire only the best and brightest people in our industry which can be a challenge to revenue growth, but we’re proof that a focus on great people, creativity and driving value for our clients is a smart business approach.”

Clarity Consulting ranked NO. 3928 on this year’s list, and achieved a three-year sales growth of 38%. Founded in 1994, Clarity Consulting specializes in the custom development and user experience design of digital experiences on Microsoft platforms and devices. Specifically, the company works on technologies and platforms such as Windows Phone, Xbox, Microsoft Kinect, Microsoft Lync, Microsoft SharePoint, Surface, and C#.

In a stagnant economic environment, median growth rate of 2012 Inc. 500|5000 companies remains an impressive 97 percent. The companies on this year’s list report having created over 400,000 jobs in the past three years, and aggregate revenue among the honorees reached $299 billion.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/5000.

"Now, more than ever, we depend on Inc. 500/5000 companies to spur innovation, provide jobs, and drive the economy forward.  Growth companies, not large corporations, are where the action is,” says Inc. Editor Eric Schurenberg.

Methodology

The 2012 Inc. 500|5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2008 to 2011. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2008. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2011. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2008 is $100,000; the minimum for 2011 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.’s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at www.inc.com/500.

About Clarity Consulting

Clarity Consulting specializes in the custom development and user experience design of digital experiences on Microsoft platforms and devices.Specifically, the company works on technologies and platforms such as Windows Phone, Xbox, Microsoft Kinect, Microsoft Lync, Microsoft SharePoint, Windows 8, and C#.

About Inc.

Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today’s innovative company builders.  Total monthly audience reach for the brand has grown significantly from 2,000,000 in 2010 to over 6,000,000 today.  For more information, visit www.inc.com.

Clarity Connect is a software solution native to Microsoft Lync that leverages the powerful features inherent in Lync Server to deliver a fully featured, multi-modal contact center at a fraction of the cost of other top-of-the-line contact center platforms.

“The goal of the Clarity Connect Partner Program is to give companies that specialize in Lync implementation and support the ability to round out their portfolio and offer additional services to their customers,” said Jon Rauschenberger, CTO at Clarity Consulting.

Clarity Connect offers a way to extend the functionality of Lync to contact centers, allowing systems integrators to address some of the business requirements that Lync does not handle out-of-the-box.

“The Clarity team has a great understanding of Lync and have leveraged it in a smart, unique new way that has helped in winning large seat deployments in Enterprise accounts,” said Jon Morrow, Senior Program Manager – Unified Communications at Microsoft.

The Connect Partner Program includes four partnership levels that give partners the power to control their level of involvement selling Clarity Connect. These levels range from Basic Partners who can receive compensation for referring Clarity Connect to Master Partners who can perform implementations, provide support, and complete 3^rd party integrations.

About Clarity Consulting

Clarity Consulting specializes in the custom development and user experience design of digital experiences on Microsoft platforms and devices. Specifically, the company works on technologies and platforms such as Windows Phone, Xbox, Microsoft Kinect, Microsoft Lync, Microsoft SharePoint, Surface, and C#.

About Clarity Connect

Clarity Connect is a robust contact center product delivered exclusively on Microsoft Lync. Built native to Lync, the solution seamlessly integrates with your existing infrastructure, adding full functionality with one simple, fixed fee per user. At Clarity we imagined a better contact center solution, and then we built it.

Clarity Consulting Earns Distinction through Demonstrated Technology Success and Customer Commitment

CHICAGO — Clarity Consulting Inc., today announced it has achieved a Gold Digital Marketing Competency in the Microsoft Partner Network, demonstrating its ability to meet Microsoft customers’ evolving needs in today’s dynamic business environment. To earn a Microsoft gold competency, organizations must complete a rigorous set of tests to prove their level of technology expertise, submit customer references and demonstrate their commitment to customer satisfaction by participating in an annual survey.

Clarity Consulting specializes in the custom development and user experience design of digital experiences on Microsoft platforms and devices. Specifically, the company works on technologies and platforms such as Windows Phone, Xbox, Microsoft Kinect, Microsoft Lync, Microsoft SharePoint, Surface, and C#. We deliver cutting-edge software solutions that improve productivity, increase efficiency, reduce risk and maximize IT investment value.

“The gold digital marketing competency is one more differentiator in our award-winning practice. It further establishes Clarity as a market leader and demonstrates our commitment to servicing our customers’ investments in Microsoft-based solutions,” said Jeff Smith, Chief Executive Officer at Clarity Consulting.

“The Microsoft Partner Network is designed to empower solution providers to succeed in today’s business environment. By achieving the prestigious gold competency, participating companies are provided  with a rich set of benefits, including increased customer visibility and accessibility, training and support,” said Jon Roskill, corporate vice president, Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft Corp. “We are proud to put forth a program that provides the resources to  help a company develop the expertise customers demand in today’s competitive market and also provides the community and infrastructure that can connect them to one another, lowering costs for all parties.”

The Microsoft gold competency signifies to the market that a company has demonstrated the highest level of skill and achievement within a given technology specialization. All of the Microsoft competencies are designed to help differentiate a partner’s specific technology capabilities, helping customers find solution providers quickly and easily. Each competency has a unique set of requirements and benefits, formulated to accurately represent the specific skills and services that partners bring to the industry.  To achieve a competency, partners must demonstrate and maintain a significantly more rigorous set of requirements than are required for other competencies.

The shift in marketing from traditional media to the web is driving companies to invest heavily in their Internet assets. Today, Internet sites and web content management involve all aspects of an organization’s web presence, including social marketing, rich media and applications, search, digital marketing integration, and analytics. The Microsoft Digital Marketing competency demonstrates Clarity’s expertise in developing rich Internet solutions that are highly functional, scalable, flexible, and secure.

“Design and user experience are paramount to our work…to everyone’s work. As such, we apply our digital marketing expertise to almost every project at Clarity,” said Smith.

The Microsoft Partner Network is designed to equip organizations that deliver products and services through the Microsoft platform with the training, resources and support they need to provide their customers superior experience and outcomes.

About Clarity Consulting

Clarity Consulting specializes in the custom development and user experience design of digital experiences on Microsoft platforms and devices. Specifically, the company works on technologies and platforms such as Windows Phone, Xbox, Microsoft Kinect, Microsoft Lync, Microsoft SharePoint, Surface, and C#. We deliver cutting-edge software solutions that improve productivity, increase efficiency, reduce risk and maximize IT investment value.

“The ability of our team to have relevant customer information automatically and immediately presentedallows us to be more focused, effective and personal than our competitors,” continued Amin-Javaheri.


Clarity Connect was the first contact center application to use the Microsoft Unified Communication platform natively with its first release in 2009. The product has since been upgraded to work on Lync Server 2010 with added features, such as the opportunity for medium-to-large size environments to centrally manage their diverse, global locations. The newest version of Connect 2.4, released earlier this month, allows even more self-management capabilities. For example, Quick IVR allows administrators to easily and quickly create additional contact centers, add or remove agents, skills and queues.

“We made a significant investment in the newest version of Clarity Connect. Quick IVR and the other improved functionality give our clients an enhanced ability to self-manage their environments right out of the box,” said Jon Rauschenberger, CTO of Clarity Consulting. “As more companies realize the benefits of a holistic unified communications platform in Lync, we’re able to add the additional functionality needed for a successful, efficient and productive contact center.”

Learn more about Clarity Connect on the product website.

Read the press release on the Clarity Connect 2.4 Version Announcement.

About Clarity Consulting Inc.

Clarity Consulting Inc. has a 18-year history of developing, customizing and implementing software solutions to help clients achieve their unique visions and drive business results. Clarity’s versatile and talented consultants specialize in application development, business intelligence, legacy integration and e-commerce websites for a range of clients, from retail and manufacturing industries to financial institutions. Clarity Consulting Inc. is based in Chicago, Illinois.

About ChemPoint.com

As the leading “e-distributor” of specialty and fine chemicals in North America, EMEA, and APAC, ChemPoint engages in exclusive product line relationships with premier manufacturers. From its North American, European, and Asia-Pacific interaction centers, ChemPoint (www.chempoint.com) provides its suppliers with marketing, sales, customer service and order fulfillment solutions for their targeted customer segments. ChemPoint is a Univar company. With a network of more than 300 distribution facilities, Univar (www.univar.com) is a world leader in chemical distribution.

CHICAGO – Clarity Consulting Inc., announced today the release of the latest version of its popular contact center software product, Clarity Connect (“Connect”) 2.4. With the latest version of Connect, Clarity has delivered an enterprise-capable contact center solution that Microsoft Lync customers can deploy and maintain in a fraction of the time required for competing products. These updates make Connect 2.4 an even more compelling solution for companies looking to add contact center functionality to their Lync environments.

One notable new feature to Connect 2.4 is Clarity Connects’ Quick IVR. Quick IVR gives contact center administrators an increased ability to create and self-manage call flows, create IVRs, add or remove agent users, skills, and queues more easily. Quick IVR delivers a full-featured IVR platform that can be purchased and deployed without the constraints of per-port licensing terms.

“Our decision to build Connect as a native Lync product allows us to deliver a product that can be deployed and maintained just like any other Lync Server role. It’s what makes Connect so different from the other traditional contact center products out there,” said Jon Rauschenberger, Chief Technology Officer at Clarity Consulting. “That foundation allows us to seamlessly leverage Lync as a unified communications platform, enabling our clients to get maximum utilization of their existing infrastructure, more control and more flexibility.”

The new release includes a simplified installation process, enabling Connect clients to do a significant portion of the installation themselves. “Our goal when developing Connect and every subsequent release has been to reduce the complexity of the contact center, making it easier to install, use and maintain for our clients. We’ve accomplished that goal with this latest version,” said Rauschenberger.

The new version also allows increased self-provisioning capabilities. Clients are now able to easily create new Lync contact centers themselves with the confidence that they can receive guided support from Clarity if needed. The complete set of premium features original to Connect are included for one standard fixed fee, including call recording, ACD, IVR, screen pops and other system integration.

Clarity Consulting is a committed Microsoft partner of over 18 years. Clarity Connect was developed with a focused attention to natively adding contact center functionality to the Lync platform, allowing seamless user experience between the Lync client and Connect.

“What I like most about Clarity Connect is that it is a true UC Contact Center as opposed to UC-enabled one,” said Aamer Kaleem, Chief Technology Officer of Lync Enterprise Voice at Microsoft. “Connect uses Lync as an underlying voice platform to anchor the call and Lync client extension window for delivering agent desktop related functions.”

Learn more about Clarity Connect on the product website.

About Clarity Consulting

Clarity Consulting specializes in the custom development and user experience design of digital experiences on Microsoft platforms and devices. Specifically, the company works on technologies and platforms such as Windows Phone, Xbox, Microsoft Kinect, Microsoft Lync, Microsoft SharePoint, Surface, and C#.

About Clarity Connect

Clarity Connect is a robust contact center product delivered exclusively on Microsoft Lync. Built native to Lync, the solution seamlessly integrates with your existing infrastructure, adding full functionality with one simple, fixed fee per user. At Clarity we imagined a better contact center solution, and then we built it.

Contact

Clarity Consulting, Inc.

Website: http://connect.claritycon.com/

Product Inquiries: connect@claritycon.com

Request a Demo: http://connect.claritycon.com/demo-request/

Phone: 312.863.3415

Clarity Consulting employs a team of over 90 highly talented consultants specializing in the custom development and user experience design of digital experiences on Microsoft platforms and devices. Specifically, the company works on technologies and platforms such as Windows Phone, Xbox, Microsoft Kinect, Microsoft Lync, Microsoft SharePoint, Surface, and C#.

“Our employees spend a significant portion of their day at work. Because of that, we’re laser-focused on making Clarity an amazing place, and we’re constantly looking for ways, both professionally and personally, to reward our employees. That means challenging project work as well as social events and community service opportunities throughout the year,” said Jeff Smith, Chief Executive Officer at Clarity Consulting.

The National Association for Business Resources (NABR) selects only 101 companies each year that best represent the most innovative human resource programs to date. The winning companies will be honored at the symposium and award luncheon on August 20th, 2012 in Oak Brook, Illinois.

“It’s truly an honor to recognize this year’s winners,” said Jennifer Kluge, NABR president. “The selection, recognition and awarding of Chicago’s 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For^TM allows business to showcase their best practices and demonstrate why each of them would be an ideal place for employees to work. This year’s winning companies represent high standards and are an example for other companies to emulate.”

For a consulting firm like Clarity, the caliber and quality of their consulting talent is a non-negotiable. Not only does it take time and diligence to find the best and brightest talent, but Clarity recognizes the need to make the company an attractive place to work in order to engage top talent.

“We are looking for top talent, and we work hard to reciprocate our team’s hard work by making our workplace fun, challenging and rewarding every day,” said Dan Post, Director of Recruiting at Clarity Consulting.

To learn more about Clarity Consulting, visit the company’s website.

To learn more about exciting career opportunities at Clarity Consulting, visit our Career page.

About the NABR

The National Association for Business Resources (NABR) advocates and represents small and medium-sized businesses throughout the United States. NABR specializes in providing businesses the benefits, programs, services, and assistance required to operate as efficiently and successfully as possible. Best practice solutions are available to members in the areas of human resources, healthcare, legal, transaction, compliance, marketing, and office services. For more information about NABR and its offerings, please visit www.nationalbiz.org or call 1-866-321- 1822.

 

NEW YORK, Jun 14, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — The New York Times today unveiled a redesign of its Windows Phone news app, which delivers the latest news and award-winning journalism of The New York Times, designed and formatted for optimal reading on the latest version of Windows Phone.

The redesigned app follows on the heels of the launch of the Nokia Lumia 900 smartphone in April, which runs on Windows Phone software.

"We want to give our readers easy access to our content regardless of what platform they prefer," said Denise Warren, senior vice president and chief advertising officer, The New York Times Media Group, and general manager, NYTimes.com. "Our new and improved Windows Phone app provides an optimal user experience that highlights The Times’s celebrated journalism, photography and multimedia."

Features new to this updated release include:

– Live Tile Integration – users can pin any of the sections and blogs as Live Tiles to quickly see the latest headlines at a glance

– Pivot Navigation — users can see articles, videos and blogs in each section

– Cloud Integration — users may save articles to the cloud for access from multiple devices

– Updated and refreshed design

– Improved performance and fast application switching

Like the previous version of the app, the redesigned Windows Phone app features more than 25 sections of New York Times news, information and opinion, including videos, slide shows and blogs. It also features the ability to read offline and a full set of share options on articles, videos and slide shows across social media and e-mail.

"Windows Phone is backed by a rich developer ecosystem that continues to create a variety of quality apps and games, like New York Times news, that take advantage of the phone’s unique features and design," said Todd Brix, senior director, Windows Phone Marketplace, Microsoft Corp. "With its improved experience, complete with pivot navigation, the ability to save articles to the cloud for access from multiple devices and integration of Live Tiles, which let users add dynamically updated content to their phone’s Start Screen, New York Times news is a great example of the quality titles Windows Phone users will find on Marketplace to get the most out of their phone."

The NYTimes app will available for download later today from the Windows Phone Marketplace. As with other New York Times news applications, the Top News section of the app is free. To access all sections of the app, a digital subscription is required. Details and pricing for these plans are available at www.NYTimes.com/Access .

About The New York Times Company

The New York Times Company /quotes/zigman/235682/quotes/nls/nyt NYT +2.19% , a leading global, multimedia news and information company with 2011 revenues of $2.3 billion, includes The New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, NYTimes.com, BostonGlobe.com, Boston.com, About.com and related properties. The Company’s core purpose is to enhance society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news, information and entertainment.

SOURCE: The New York Times

The book examines a diverse range of Cloud topics, with special emphasis on how Cloud computing can save businesses time and money. It includes a practical how-to guide to build solutions using Office 365. “Our main focus for the book was to make it a practical guide for companies. Pick it up and start realizing an added benefit from your investment in the cloud – Office 365 and Azure present a tremendous savings from an effort and cost standpoint, if you know how to best apply the technology,” said George Durzi, Principal Consultant at Clarity Consulting.

The book is comprehensive in its scope of Microsoft technologies available in the cloud. Technologies emphasized include Windows Azure, SharePoint Online, Exchange Online, and Lync Online. Best use cases for when to use Azure versus Office 365 are discussed as well, and outlines when hybrid solutions are best.

“When Office 365 first came out, there were some restrictions on what you could do with it. In this book, we really focused on a pragmatic, cost effective approach to the cloud and where best in your infrastructure to apply it for the best bang for your buck,” said Durzi. 

Find out more about the book Programming Microsoft’s Clouds: Windows Azure and Office 365, including a full description, author biographies, and purchase information here.