Avaya
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Technology |
| Predecessor | Lucent Technologies (spin-off) |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Headquarters | Morristown, New Jersey , United States |
Area served | Worldwide (190 countries) |
| Products | Cloud communication platforms, workstream collaboration solutions, unified communications, contact center technologies, business communication equipment (cameras, collaboration tools, conference telephones, headsets, IP phones, room systems, Vantage devices, wireless handsets) |
| Parent | Former creditors (since 2023) |
| Website | www |
Avaya LLC (), previously known as Avaya Inc., is a multinational technology firm based in Morristown, New Jersey, United States. The company focuses on cloud communication platforms and workstream collaboration solutions, delivering unified communications and contact center technologies. By 2019, Avaya supported 220,000 customer sites across 190 countries, highlighting its extensive international reach and market impact.
History
In 1995, AT&T Corporation rebranded its subsidiary AT&T Technologies as Lucent Technologies before spinning it off in 1996. To address operational challenges, Lucent later divested several divisions.
Avaya Inc. emerged as a spin-off from Lucent in 2000. Lucent subsequently merged with Alcatel SA in 2006, which was later acquired by Nokia in 2016. Between 2000 and 2007, Avaya was publicly traded on the NYSE under the ticker AV. In October 2007, private equity firms TPG Capital and Silver Lake Partners acquired Avaya for $8.2 billion through Sierra Holdings Corp., which was renamed Avaya Holdings Corp. in 2011.
In 2014, Avaya purchased the naming rights to the San Jose Earthquakes' stadium with a $20 million agreement spanning ten years. Due to financial setbacks, Avaya filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January 2017. A court-endorsed restructuring plan was implemented by November that year. Following this, Avaya sought to reduce its stadium naming obligations; the venue was renamed Earthquakes Stadium in 2020 and subsequently PayPal Park in 2021 after PayPal secured naming rights.
Trading of Avaya Holdings Corp. stock recommenced on the NYSE under the symbol AVYA in December 2017. On February 14, 2023, Avaya filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy once more, with creditors approving a restructuring strategy. The NYSE delisted Avaya shares on February 15, 2023; however, trading persisted over-the-counter under AVYAQ. On May 1, 2023, following completion of its financial reorganization, Avaya reemerged as the privately held company Avaya LLC, now owned by its former creditors.
Acquisitions and partnerships
Since 2001, Avaya has actively pursued acquisitions to broaden its market footprint. Amid Nortel’s bankruptcy proceedings, Avaya successfully acquired Nortel’s Enterprise Voice and Data business assets for $900 million on September 14, 2009. This strategic purchase substantially expanded Avaya’s enterprise communications product lineup and market presence.
Nortel’s government services division originated from Performance Engineering Corporation (PEC Solutions), established in 1985 to serve government clients. Nortel acquired PEC Solutions in 2005 and rebranded it as Nortel Government Solutions in 2006. In December 2009, Avaya purchased this government-focused business from Nortel, reinforcing its foothold within the public sector.
In October 2019, Avaya partnered with RingCentral to introduce Avaya Cloud Office (ACO), a unified communications as a service (UCaaS) platform. RingCentral contributed $500 million as the exclusive provider for this initiative, representing a significant transformation toward cloud-centric services and boosting Avaya’s competitive position globally.
Locations and clientele
Avaya's main office is situated at 350 Mt. Kemble Avenue in Morristown, New Jersey. By 2020, the company had established operations in nearly 190 countries, catering to a diverse international clientele. Its cloud-based solutions are utilized by more than 90% of the Fortune 100 companies, including prominent enterprises such as Apple, AT&T, Dell, and CVS Health, along with multiple government agencies.
The organization actively supports the IAUG user community and provides professional certification programs aimed at deepening proficiency with its product offerings. Avaya’s range of business communication equipment encompasses cameras, collaboration tools, conference telephones, headsets, IP phones, room systems, Vantage devices, and wireless handsets. These hardware solutions are designed to work seamlessly with its key services: Avaya Cloud Office, Avaya Spaces, and Avaya UCaaS.
Patents
Avaya possesses a portfolio exceeding 4,400 patents and pending filings. Significantly, in January 2021, the company was awarded its 600th patent related to Contact Center technologies, highlighting AI-powered "chatbot socialization," which underscores its commitment to advancing innovation in customer interaction technologies.