INDUSTRY NEWS COMMENT: MAGGIE’S MOMENTS Maggie Kennedy
“In the business sector, 60-plus per cent of our new connections include data.”
FOR those of you who don’t know me, I head up the Partner team at O2. While I’ve met many of you it’s always good to hear from new people and find out what’s on your mind. I’ll be sharing my thoughts each month, so drop me a line at O2PartnerComms@o2. com to let me know what you’re interested in and I’ll give you my honest view. I’m starting with my observations on the rise of smartphones. They accounted for 82 per cent of O2’s total sales in Q1 2011. In the business sector, 60-plus per cent of our
new connections include data, which is double where it was two years ago. The increase in mobile data traffic, which in the UK is forecast to be 30 times higher in 2014 than it was in 2009, presents a number of challenges. But with this growth of course come opportunities and technological advances to prepare for the growing traffic. 2011 has been touted as the year of the tablet and with the iPad 2 launch and a number of new arrivals, including most recently the BlackBerry PlayBook, this exciting category is sure to grow rapidly. It seems unbelievable that until recently we had to be linked to a desk or laptop to access information and respond accordingly. We’re now faced with a number of opportunities. For example, how will consumers use their own devices and applications in the workplace? How do we give businesses confidence in terms of technology and security? Great partners and providers can help us to collectively understand our customers’ needs and help to allay their concerns. We’re working with a number of you now and the value we are seeing already is immense.
Maggie Kennedy, Head of Partners, O2
AlwaysON in Sipcom deal
INTEGRATED solutions pro- vider alwaysON has strength- ened its voice and UC solutions proposition following a partner- ship with Sipcom, a specialist in hosted solutions.
The deal means that alway-
sON can replace its existing hosted IP PBX solution with Hosted Voice, Sipcom’s Hosted IP PBX.
alwaysON will also benefit from the addition of multi- tenanted hosted voice for its Microsoft Lync solution. James Byles, alwaysON’s MD, said: “Our partnership with Sipcom adds tremendous scope and depth to our voice and uni- fied communications capabili- ties, and is a natural evolution of our proposition.
“Our unified communica- tions solutions are extended with the addition of multi-ten- anted hosted voice for Lync. “Sipcom also offers a hosted SharePoint solution that our customers will be able to lever- age via this new partnership.” Daniel Allen, Sipcom’s CEO, added: “This partnership will strengthen both parties’ abil- ity to capitalise on the growing hosted services marketplace. “Services such as Hosted IP PBX and Lync are gateways to leveraging higher recurring rev- enue through increased ARPU and overall product margins.” alwaysON profile – page 18
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SHORT CALLS
Nimans is to push the new Aastra 400 series. “We will be going out to see resellers across the country to highlight why they should be embracing this technology,” said Nimans’ Aastra Business Manager, Allan Merten.
Azlan has signed a distribution agreement with AdvaTel, an Avaya DevConnect Partner and publisher of InTouch software (a UC add-on for Avaya IP Office).
The ALVEA Business Internet Continuity Service from Computerlinks is now available to UK channel partners. It’s delivered using Avanti Communication’s HYLAS 1 satellite which was launched into space in November 2010.
Distributor revs up for roadshow
COMPUTER 2000 is hitting the streets with its Connection Roadshow in a bid to get hands on with the 7,000 unmanaged accounts on its books.
Over the next 12 months the UK arm of Tech Data is to visit 20 venues across the UK and collaborate with resellers who do business with the company but fall below the threshold at
ShoreTel’s new program SHORETEL has evolved
its Technology Partner and Developer Network programs into a new single ShoreTel Innovation Network. According to the vendor, the single program makes it easier for technology partners and developers to take part. The program is structured into three primary levels based on Foundation, Alliance and Strategic designations.
According to the work- ings of the scheme, approved Foundation Members gain
access to ShoreTel’s software development kits (SDKs) and other tools designed to help integrate products.
Once members have com- pleted their development and self-tested their solutions with ShoreTel, they can apply for Alliance Membership level. Meanwhile, Strategic mem- bers are selected according to mutually defined relationships driven by successes and joint business cases. “Today’s organisations inc- reasingly rely on best-of-breed
business process solutions to remain competitive and to ensure efficient operations,” commented Brian Spencer, President of Oaisys. “ShoreTel’s support of open standards gives customers the ability to incorporate business critical applications within their communications systems.” Oaisys provides call record- ing and contact centre manage- ment solutions and is a seasoned participant in both the ShoreTel Technology Partner Program and Developer Network.
2011
Marriot St. Pierre, Chepstow,Gwent. 16th June 2011
14 COMMS DEALER JUNE 2011
A HIKE in audio conferencing sales last year won Nimans the Largest Growth Distributor (EMEA) award from Konftel. Nimans’ Head Of Conferencing Sales, Ian Brindle, said: “The 150% rise in sales is due to several factors such as increased brand awareness and an expanding product portfolio.” Resellers can save almost £150 through a limited bundle offer where a free Gigaset E365 DECT handset is being offered with every sale of Konftel’s 300M until the end of June. Pictured l-r: Andy Winfield (Nimans), Jeff May (Konftel), Richard Carter and Ian Brindle (Nimans), and Clarence Jacobsen (Konftel).
Register now at
www.margin-in-voice-data.com
www.comms-dealer.com
which they will be allocated to a named account manager. Computer 2000 is hold- ing the first three Connection Roadshows in June and July at venues in north London, Birmingham and Bournemouth. Over the next 12 months, the roadshow will visit all corners of the British Isles, including Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.
Andy Dow, Group Marketing
Director, said: “The roadshows will enable smaller customers to meet key people from Computer 2000. The roadshows will give SMB and retailer customers the opportunity to learn more about what we can do to help them develop their capabilities, explore new opportunities and grow their business.”
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