The acquisition of Envox by Syntellect for $14 million is the latest in a series of smart and timely consolidations in the maturing contact center/CRM solutions space, others being Verint and Witness and Aspect and Concerto (this juror is still out on the Convergys/Intervoice deal announced earlier this year).

The Syntellect/Envox deal appears to be an excellent and complementary match of two fine companies. Envox brings to Syntellect's table a global reach and technology heft, not to mention a $16 million per annum revenue stream: very handy in an uncertain marketplace. The menu of Envox's powerful communications platform, IVR, CTI, and Voice XML tools may well enhance Syntellect's flagship Customer Interaction Management suite. That will help Syntellect to fend off competitors in a slow-growth market, and position it to take advantage of opportunities when the economy turns around.