INDUSTRY NEWS COMMENT: DISTRIBUTOR TALK John Bird
WITH current UC solutions it is essential for reseller engineers to keep pace with the latest manufacturer updates, especially when a typical UC solution incorporates products from multiple vendors. It is good working practice to ensure that the products being installed are serviced using the latest programming tools, and products are installed on the latest commercially available firmware. It is far easier to upgrade at the point of installation than have to upgrade after on a live
system, causing disruption on site and system downtime. It’s equally important for engineers to share information with their colleagues and peers. All too often engineers attend site, each with different versions of programming tools and as a result, over a period of time the system database becomes corrupted, leading to weird and wonderful faults, expensive engineer revisits under maintenance and a less than satisfied customer. It has always been my ethos that distribution must offer a level of support akin to that of the manufacturer. This support must be the proactive dissemination of technical information, making the reseller and the engineer aware of updates and product enhancements immediately. We all operate in one of the largest technology channels and as such have access to multiple methods of communication to deliver this information, including email, social media and, most importantly, bespoke support portals with 24/7/365 access to centralised repositories of pre and post sales technical information and software. An engineer should be armed with all the tools and data they need to complete a job within timescales before they attend site.
John Bird, Head of Systems and Support Services, Micro-P Communications
Mobile VoIP app goes live
VOICENET Solutions has lifted the lid on its latest VNiMobile VoIP application said to enable business users to make and receive calls on their mobile via WiFi or 3G, anywhere in the world.
The solution is downloadable for both iPhone and Android devices via the App Store and Android Market Place.
The application will be
offered both as an enhancement to Voicenet’s Hosted Telephony solution on a monthly subscrip- tion giving mobile users all the normal features expected from an office system and as a stand- alone product. Voicenet says it is easy to deploy and manage and will lower communication costs by bringing all calls onto the office billing as well as enabling com-
panies to use its flexibility as part of a resilient solution. “The ability to be flexible is
key today for all businesses and with the Olympics just around the corner even more so,” said Kevin Scott-Cowell CEO of Voicenet Solutions. “With the increase in home/ remote working we can now offer a solution that brings busi- ness landline features and sin- gle number reach to the mobile phone. Being able to make calls over Wi-Fi when there is no mobile connection increases employees’ mobility and pro- ductivity. It can also reduce costs especially when abroad.” Along with the VNiMobile App, businesses have the option to add a docking station for the iPhone bringing in the flexibil- ity and use as a desktop phone.
Entatech signs Digium
ENTATECH is to distribute Digium’s Asterisk telephony solutions and Switchvox UC solutions in the UK.
Asterisk is an open source software framework for build- ing communications applica- tions while the Switchvox solu- tion integrates office communi-
SHORT CALLS
IT administrators are more likely to jump ship and find a new career because of high job-related stress levels, according to a survey by GFI Software. The firm’s IT Admin Stress Survey found that 69% of IT administrators have considered switching careers due to stress. Dealing with managers, end users and tight deadlines were cited by respondents as the biggest contributors to work-related stress.
cations, including phone, fax, chat, web mashups and mobile. Luke Steel, who is Enta-
Tech’s Networking Channel Manager, commented on the development: “Working with Digium enables our customers to implement VoIP without the deployment issues.”
D-Link forges distie deal
D-LINK has widened the mar- ket for its consumer and busi- ness networking equipment fol- lowing a link up with distributor Computer 2000. The full range of D-Link’s
offerings, including IP surveil- lance cameras, home storage and networking solutions, are available via Computer 2000’s PC Components division. Andrew Mulholland, Bus- iness Solutions Manager at D- Link UK & Ireland, said: “We have worked well with each other in the past and now is the
ideal time for us to re-engage. The addition of Computer 2000 as a distributor builds on the recent launch of our Value in Partnership+ programme.” Over the last few years D-
Link has worked hard to expand on its Business Solutions prod- uct portfolio with the launch of new switching, storage and IP surveillance products.
“D-Link has also success- fully launched devices such as the Boxee Box to the consum- er market. By partnering with Computer 2000 we now have
new routes to business and con- sumer markets meaning we can target even more reseller part- ners,” added Mulholland. John Osborne, who is the of Computer 2000’s
Director
PC Components business unit, commented: “D-Link’s com- plete
end-to-end networking
portfolio will be an attractive proposition for a number of our customers as they look for new revenue opportunities.”
Got a news story? email:
sgilroy@bpl-business.com
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18 COMMS DEALER MAY 2012 SHORT CALLS
Version One has named Greg Ford as the company’s new MD. Ford has 27 years experience in software and services. For ten years he worked at Sage, most recently as MD of the mid-market division. Ford, who succeeds Julian Buck, will be looking to deliver significant year-on-year growth.
Emerson Network Power has introduced a partner programme to support the Trellis data centre infrastructure management (DCIM) platform. Participants will receive interactive training and support on technology and software selling, including feedback and best-practice sharing.
PSU has scooped a NHS telecoms contract with the East Grinstead Health Centre to supply a Mitel 3300 Integrated Communications Platform and provide maintenance services. Michael Lounton, MD, PSU, said: “This NHS telecoms contract strengthens our presence within the health sector.”
Westcon Group’s convergence business practice has been named EMEA Distributor of the Year by Polycom. The distributor was also recognised as Partner of the Year in the Benelux region. David Grant, Senior VP, Westcon Europe, said: “We are seeing strong adoption of Polycom’s unified collaborative solutions.”
Managed print IT services company M2 has launched a white label proposition including a full service MPS solution. John Taylor, CEO, said: “The SME market continues to embrace managed print services and the market is developing at a rapid rate.”
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