Comms Dealer

Cloud telephony provider Firstcom Europe has selected Cisco' new Multiplatform IP Phones for its Unified Communications Service, Universe.

Adam Crisp, Chief Technology Officer at Firstcom, said: "By partnering with Cisco we have a clear development path from today's products into the products of the future. Customers and partners demand ease-of-use, value and hardware that is built to last, and with Cisco, by definition they are buying into technology that is not only all of these things, but also future-proof."

8x8 has been awarded four new patents related to its communications technologies - Conferencing and Meeting Implementations with Advanced Features,; Multiple-Master DNS System; Identifying and Processing of Unreturned Calls in IPBX; Limiting Contact in a Networked Contact Center Environment.

"Enterprises everywhere are undergoing a digital transformation that involves not only a shift to cloud-based architectures, but also requires the implementation of smarter, more flexible communications systems that help address the needs of a constantly evolving competitive environment," said Bryan Martin, Chairman and CTO of 8x8.

"We've long been committed to innovating with and ahead of our customers to help them meet the evolving and complex needs of that transformation."

Reading-based Nuvola Distribution invited local businesses to a coffee morning held in aid of Macmillan, raising over £290 for the cancer charity. "Many of us have friends and family touched by cancer, so we ate a selection of cakes baked by employees and their children, and drank copious amount of hot brews to raise the funds," said Nuvola CEO Michael Lloyd.

Mitel has introduced World Cloud, a new solution for simplifying back-end services and management of cloud communications for multinational businesses.

Announced at the company's marquee Mitel Next event in Paris, World Cloud expands Mitel's cloud footprint to more than 40 countries worldwide.

World Cloud gives employees universal access to the same communications capabilities while providing free international extension-to-extension dialling and unlimited user-based country dialling. Local in-bound phone numbers and extensions with local out-bound dialling also localise the customer experience.

World Cloud also simplifies IT management with streamlined administration tools and consolidated billing.

"There is an increasing, even an accelerating, interest in cloud communications by distributed organisations with sophisticated requirements and geographically-dispersed offices," said Sandra Gustavsen, Analyst, G Business Systems.

"Ease of adding new locations, consistency across a network and built-in resiliency are among the strategic benefits a cloud alternative inherently offers.

"Moreover, a global cloud network that can unify a hybrid of cloud and on-premises deployments provides the ultimate in flexibility by creating a single communications platform for multinational organisations, while allowing them to retain the mix of on-premises equipment and cloud services that best fits their particular business challenges."

Jon Brinton, President and EVP Mitel Cloud Division, added: "With the rise of the digital economy, business must think globally more than ever because the reality is their competitors are.

"Mitel is helping meet the connection and flexibility needs of multinationals as they penetrate new markets, acquire and merge with other companies or expand their workforce.

"This is true for the small business looking to address its customers' needs like a Fortune 500 enterprise, or a large business wanting to adapt to changing markets with the ease of a nimble start-up."

A strong sales performance secured Nimans the Distributor of the Year award from headset firm Jabra for the second time. "Winning awards is great testimony to the skills and dedication of our staff coupled with the support of our customers," said Dealer Sales Headset Business Manager Jason Welsh. "We enjoy an excellent working relationship with Jabra which is set to grow even stronger."

Toshiba long-timer Daniel Fuller-Smith has joined South West Communications Group as Sales Manager of the south east office.

He worked for Toshiba for 26 years, latterly as Sales Manager for the UK and EMEA.

Sales Director Sarah Flowers said: "Daniel was well known to us during his role with Toshiba. His expertise and location means he is a natural fit for our growth plans into the south east."

Fuller-Smith added: "We already have clients in these areas but know we can support many other businesses with the addition of extra staff dedicated to the region."

A team of 10 fundraisers put together by Focus Group Director Chris Goodman have summitted the tallest freestanding mountain in the world, Kilimanjaro, raising over £28k in aid of Chestnut Tree House (a children's hospice in Sussex), St Wilfrid's Hospice, Ronald Macdonald House, Teenage Cancer Trust and the British Heart Foundation.

"Because of the altitude and lack of oxygen it took seven days to summit the mountain, but only one to get down!" said Goodman, who is pictured with his wife and two fellow fundraisers.

UCaaS provider Fuze (formerly ThinkingPhones) has joined Intelisys Global's European Supplier Partner portfolio, a move that builds on its relationship with Intelisys in the US since August 2012.

Gregg Henebry, VP Worldwide Channels, Fuze, said: "The Intelisys technology services distributor model proved successful for Fuze in the United States so we are keen to replicate this in the UK and European markets.

"Signing up as an Intelisys Global Supplier Partner brings new opportunities for Fuze to broaden its reach to channel partners and grow our expanding customer base."

The Intelisys Global distribution channel was launched into Europe in July this year.

Onecom is to get the party started as a key sponsor at the Stroke Association's Life After Stroke Awards.

Onecom is sponsoring the champagne reception and after party at the 2016 awards which honours the achievements of stroke survivors, their families and their carers and supporters across the UK.

Onecom's support will ensure the evening goes with a swing for the 360 guests expected to attend the ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel in London's Park Lane on November 16th.

Onecom, which specialises in unified communications services for businesses and has a specialism in the charities sector, is the sole supplier of fixed line and mobile services to the Stroke Association.

Darren Ridge, CEO of Onecom, said: "We are proud to count the Stroke Association as a customer and to support the incredible work the charity does with people who are coping with often devastating consequences in the aftermath of a stroke.

"Each year the Life After Stroke Awards uncover inspiring stories of incredible courage, and we are delighted to be able to demonstrate our commitment to this worthy cause by sponsoring the champagne reception and after party for this year's event."

Dominic Brand, Director of Marketing and External Affairs at the Stroke Association, said: "Every year, our Life After Stroke Awards celebrate the outstanding compassion and unfailing commitment of stroke survivors, individuals, groups and organisations that help to rebuild lives after the devastating impact of stroke.

"From amazing volunteers, carers and stroke survivors themselves, to organisations who fundraise on our behalf, and health professionals who make stroke recovery possible, we recognise these extraordinary stories of determination to conquer stroke."

DMSL has recruited six new staff bringing the headcount in its Romford offices to 36.

The company has also taken more office space at its London Road location.

All of the new recruits have joined the internal sales team to provide direct support to resellers and drive recruitment for DMSL's main partner suppliers, BT, Gamma, Virgin Media Business and Vonage.

John Carter, Managing Director of DMSL, said: "We've seen rapid acceleration and growth in both our broadband and voice services business in recent months and we don't expect that to slow down any time soon.

"The additional staff will ensure we can cope with the demand, keep giving resellers the support they need and keep on growing."