Gobiraj Sivalingam: Leading the Evolution from Hardware to Cloud at ComputerTalk

Our journey from hardware-based systems to software integrated with Microsoft Skype for Business, and now to a fully cloud-native solution leveraging Microsoft Teams and Azure Communication Services. 

Hardware Foundations 

When I first joined ComputerTalk, much of our platform was hardware-driven. My early work involved understanding the inner workings of telephony and system infrastructure, building a strong foundation in reliability, scalability, and real-world customer requirements. 

Transition to Software: Skype for Business 

The first major shift was moving from hardware-dependent solutions to software-based deployments with Microsoft Skype for Business. I helped re-architect core components to integrate deeply with Skype for Business, enabling enterprise-grade contact center capabilities while retiring legacy hardware. This experience taught me the importance of designing systems that are interoperable, scalable, and user-focused. 

Cloud Transformation: Microsoft Teams + Azure Communication Services 

The next leap was taking our ice Contact Center into the cloud with Microsoft Teams and Azure Communication Services. I was deeply involved in modernizing the platform to be fully cloud-native, ensuring it could deliver voice, chat, and video interactions seamlessly while remaining secure, compliant, and highly scalable. This stage challenged me to think differently about architecture, integration, and performance, and it was incredibly rewarding to see the team embrace new technologies and deliver a next-generation experience for our customers. 

Lessons and Reflections 

Being part of this transformation taught me the value of adaptability, long-term architectural thinking, and strong collaboration. Leading these projects helped me grow as both an engineer and a mentor, guiding teams through complex change while delivering tangible impact to our customers. 

Looking Ahead 

I’m proud to have played a role in this journey from hardware to software to cloud. The work we’ve done positions ComputerTalk to continue innovating in the modern contact center space — and I’m excited for the next chapter of growth, technology, and collaboration.