Zoom Video Launches 'Hardware as a Service'

Shares of videoconferencing superstar Zoom Video Communications (NASDAQ: ZM) are sagging in afternoon trading Tuesday, down a fraction of 1% -- but the news today isn't actually bad at all. This morning, Zoom announced that it is adding a new business model, offering "hardware as a service," or "HaaS," giving its customers the opportunity to basically lease Zoom-branded desk phones, conference phones, and headsets (collectively described as "Zoom Phone") for use in video-less teleconferences, as well as Zoom Room equipment, which facilitate video conferencing with large screens, HD cameras, and interactive whiteboards. Aimed at "minimizing friction around hardware procurement," the tech company says its new HaaS offering will make it easier for customers to acquire access to "a variety of solutions from leading hardware manufacturers DTEN, Neat, Poly, and Yealink."