It’s offi cial! Comms Dealer is No.1!
It’s offi cial! Comms Dealer No.1! The most requested & highest circulation magazine for the UK voice & data partner community
VOL 16 ISSUE 1 JUNE 2011
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Technologies Ltd Siemens bears early fruit following branch into mid-market
SIEMENS Enterprise Communications has reported a boost in its mid-market business following the launch of a channel-only strategy targeting this seg- ment, unveiled at the recent Go Forward Live partner conference. Leads passed onto its reseller partners are
already bearing fruit according to Leon Mangan, Head of Channels. He commented: “We had 36 mid-market opportunities in the pipeline for the channel just four weeks after the partner event. They include direct sales leads and the channel sourcing new opportunities.”
Ian Allmark, Director, Lloyds Business IP, told Comms Dealer magazine: “The latest version of OpenScape Office gives us a big opportunity to move towards the mid-market where we are seeing high growth. This is exactly where we want to go.”
In this issue Industry News:
Catch up with events News Report:
AlwaysON bounces back Reseller Interview:
Solar shines bright News Interview:
Eclipse in channel move Profile:
The Apprentice Profile:
The Secret Millionaire Special Feature:
Online video in the frame Market Review:
Maintenance & support Business Matters:
Comms sector review Persuasion:
3-17 18 22 26 28 40 50 52 54 56
Getting big commitments CN AWARDS UPDATE P63
Unicom undergoes MBO in major deal
MANCHESTER-based B2B telecommunications specialist Universal Utilities, better known by its trading name Unicom, has undergone a management buy- out backed by private equity firm Vitruvian Partners.
EXCLUSIVE
THE value of the deal has not been disclosed but according to speculation it could be in the region of £100m.
The management buyout sees Unicom become part of a privately owned limited com- pany, Universal Utilities, along- side sister firm Titan Telecom. The new company is financed
by Vitruvian and the existing Unicom management team and employees. Following the deal Operations Director Chris Earle was appointed CEO.
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Development Manager Mark Draper confirmed that plans are in place for future growth. “The company will continue to trade as Unicom, Titan, and 118777,” he said. “Future plans include new customer sales and strategic acquisitions.” Marcus Allchurch, Telecoms
M&A Specialist at BDO Cor- porate Finance, stated: “The
management buyout of Unicom is further evidence of the appe- tite from private equity in very high quality, high growth tele- coms businesses.
“In spite of the economic downturn, Simon Clarke, sup- ported by a great management team, has led Unicom through a fantastic phase of growth. “It comes as no surprise that Vitruvian wishes to support the
business as it enters its next phase of development.” Vitruvian’s portfolio also
includes the Welsh TV com- pany Tinopolis Group, known for its sports broadcasting and production of Question Time. Unicom boasts annual sales of £55m and provides com- munications services including fixed line, mobile and data to 90,000 SMEs.
Gamma builds strong support for broadband
GAMMA’S just-launched Next Generation Broadband proposi- tion is targeting channel part- ners looking for high quality service and support in return for mid-range pricing.
James Bushell, Head of Data Services, said: “We want to take things back to basics. If resell- ers have a support issue, they call us, we’re open 24/7, and we’ll work to get it fixed fast.” By coupling Gamma’s core NGN with BT’s Next Generation Access a range of technologies and traffic weight- ing features (from ADSL 2+ to Annex M) will deliver rates of up to 24MBPS downstream and 2.5MBPS upstream.
PROTYRE Formula Renault BARC Championship contender Josh Webster (sponsored by Nine Telecom Group) took his second podium of the 2011 season at Brands Hatch in May moving into fi fth place in the driver standings. Nine took along 30 guests to cheer on the 2010 Formula Renault BARC Winter Champion. “I really wanted to give the guests a win but being on the podium was still great,” said Webster.
At Nine Wholesale our target is more long term
www.comms-dealer.com A BPL BUSINESS MEDIA PUBLICATION Comms Dealer... ● Was the fi rst publication for the UK convergence channel
● Reaches more professionals in the UK Voice & Data community than any other magazine
● Continues to be the most valuable information source for the channel More readers. More resellers. More Decision Makers. More value
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