Comms Dealer

A collaboration between BPL Broadcast and i2i Events will bring the whole of the UK media and entertainment industry under one roof in Q1 2017.

The convergence of two key industry events is a UK first and will create a holistic platform as BVE 2017, the established broadcast and production technology event, collocates with Connected Media Europe which showcases the underlying connected technologies that enable people to view, discover and interact with content on any device anywhere. 

The event takes place on February 28th to March 2nd at ExCeL London in the capital's Docklands area, and according to BPL Broadcast VP Neil Nixon the full weight of BPL's marketing machine and industry credentials will draw Europe's connected broadcasting community to London.

"This launch represents a positive step for exhibitors and visitors to BVE 2017, extending the reach of this already highly successful event," he said.

The project builds on BPL Broadcast's track record in delivering similar signature destinations, such as organising the Connected Media|IP area at the NAB Show in Las Vegas, a runaway success that Nixon is confident he can replicate in London.

"Connected Media Europe is perfectly placed within the main BVE 2017 event to demonstrate and discuss IP-focused technologies including IPTV, OTT, mobile, social and cloud," he explained.

"As BVE is the UK's largest event for professionals involved in creating, managing and distributing video content, it was the obvious partner for us in delivering Connected Media Europe."

Connected Media Europe incorporates a seminar theatre and TV-style interview studio in an exhibition that features 300-plus leading manufacturers, distributors and resellers of professional production and broadcast equipment and systems.

Daniel Sacchelli, Event Manager at BVE, added: "Co-locating Connected Media Europe alongside BVE will see us continue to create an all-encompassing event for the entire media and entertainment industry. It will benefit exhibitors and visitors by providing them a more complete and diverse business platform at a single event."

To find out more about Connected Media Europe at BVE 2017 click the following links:
www.connectedmediaeurope.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axhtWI6eOpY

The ongoing spread of flexible and remote working patterns has prompted audio conference firm Konftel to launch a company-first portable speaker phone.

Called Ego, this personal collaboration product includes a LCD display with the sound performance and features needed to carry out business-class remote meetings.

"We're seeing a clear change in user behaviour," stated Regional Sales Director Jeff May. "Business professionals are increasingly on-the-move and need complete flexibility as to where and when they hold remote meetings.

"The Ego device has been designed to enhance this work-style and reflects the uptake of communication tools such as Skype for Business conferences."

Ego works seamlessly with Skype for Business and has been successfully tested in a Microsoft-certified laboratory. The product also works just as well with other conferencing platforms such as Cisco Jabber, Avaya Communicator and the latest generation of online services.

In practice Ego users can set-up meetings in any location by connecting to a mobile phone, tablet or PC. Its design has been recognised with a Red Dot Award and the sound quality is said to be bullet proof, with OmniSound patented audio technology delivering HD quality when making calls and playing music, whether through wireless Bluetooth or wired USB connections.

"Bluetooth can be made easier with NFC support, while a built-in battery enables cordless conversations," added May. "We have taken large volumes of advance orders ahead of the official launch in July."

Customer contact technology specialist Sabio has been listed in The Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 - an annual ranking of Britain's Top 200 mid-market private companies with the fastest growing international sales.

In its first year as an International Track 200 company, Sabio entered the sales growth ranking at 140, qualifying with 25.4% two-year average international sales growth per annum.

"Our position reflecting the increased value that our international customers place on bringing core customer contact technologies together under a single global partner," commented Sabio's Managing Director, Sebastian Henkes.

"With our ability to provide a consistent service delivery model across multiple technologies and multiple locations, Sabio is proving increasingly successful at decreasing risk and simplifying SLA management for international customers."??Sabio has service hubs in the UK and Singapore, typically supporting multiple technologies for each of its global customers.

Sabio now delivers projects and support in 51 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and the Americas.

A major eight year IT managed service contract worth over £60m has been secured by Excell Group. The deal with Workspace Group builds on an existing relationship and has the potential for greater revenue yield as Workspace expands its portfolio.

Workspace owns and manages circa 70 properties across the capital and is home to around 4,000 fledgling and growing businesses including a number of companies that feature in Bloomberg's Business Innovator List 2016.

The partnership with Excell Group offers those businesses access to secure high speed networks as well as managed connectivity, cloud and communication services.

Excell Group and Workspace will continue to invest in upgrades to connectivity in Workspace properties, including the installation of what is said to be one of the UK's first 10gb fibre connections and 1.3Gbs community Wi-Fi into a commercial multi-let building.

A building-wide Wi-Fi network is designed from the ground up to avoid wireless signal interference, and a security management system ensures the resilience of the network and aligns with each customer's internal network security.

"Speed, flexibility and secure connectivity are top of Workspace's agenda as its customers look for smart ways to connect people, processes and data," stated Excell Group Chairman Darren Strowger.

The partnership provides bespoke packages backed-up by tech support from the outset and offers customers flexible contracts that match the break clause in their Workspace lease, which gives them the freedom to develop and grow.

Workspace Operations Director Chris Pieroni said: "The provision of business-class connected services is fundamental to our customer base of new and growing companies. They see high spec connectivity as a basic requirement in their office space. These businesses are increasingly looking for location, location, technology."

Strowger added: "The Workspace business is at the forefront of changing ways of working across London.

"With around 4,000 businesses already on board, Workspace needs to provide an agile service that its customers can rely on."

The CWU's Deputy General Secretary (telecoms) Andy Kerr has stormed into the Openreach-BT separation debate urging Ofcom not to split up the BT Group, backing his argument with a 10-point plan for 'union' that rebuts a joint call for separation by a coalition of comms industry leaders.

Kerr has threatened to take political and industrial action if Ofcom does not comply with the CWU's demands.  

The coalition comprises Jeremy Darroch, Group CEO, Sky; Dido Harding, CEO, TalkTalk; Jeroen Hoencamp, CEO, Vodafone UK; Malcolm Corbett, CEO, Independent Networks Cooperative Association; and FCS CEO Chris Pateman.

In May they presented an open letter to Ofcom CEO Sharon White outlining a 10-point plan urging the regulator to recommend the splitting up of BT, claiming that separation was 'crucial to the improved digital connectivity Britain needs'.

But according to Kerr any break up of BT would 'restrict broadband coverage and undermine quality of service improvements'.

"There is no evidence to suggest that Sky, TalkTalk, Vodafone UK, and indeed any other telecoms provider will commit anywhere near the required levels of investment to deliver a world class network right across the country," he stated.

Kerr pointed out that the CWU is prepared to 'push the button' on a national campaign, both politically and industrially, to stop the break-up of BT if Ofcom makes such a recommendation.

"Although Mr Kerr runs a trade union he appears to be well informed about BT's investment strategy and a cats-paw in support of BT's corporate aims," said Pateman.

"We believe it's vital that the people who decide what 'good' looks like should be Openreach's customers.

"We are throwing down a challenge, underpinned by sound research and experience. A challenge to Ofcom, Openreach and the industry to work together to shape the future for the good of all market players and all customers."

An independent eLearning programme introduced by the Cloud Industry Forum (CIF) reflects a lack of cloud computing knowhow in the market and aims to plug that skills gap.

The online courses form part of CIF's membership scheme and is based on its recommended Cloud Adoption Roadmap.

Alex Hilton CEO, CIF, stated: "Every business is different and as a result the journey to the cloud is unique in every case. However, a common framework is relevant to almost all cloud adoption projects.

"As a result, CIF has created a cloud adoption guide to help customers through their journey and provide guidance and skills for those embarking on cloud adoption projects.

"Given that online learning courses are regarded as one of the most popular and engaging methods of training and learning, we have commissioned a wholly independent development series of eLearning modules that focus on the complete cloud adoption journey.

"The eLearning programme is aimed at those who work in IT operations, management and executives, as well as line of business personnel such as legal and procurement and members of the board."

The programme has five key stages and 21 modules.

Polycom has received a revised non-binding proposal from a private equity sponsor that was previously described as 'Sponsor 1'. Under the terms of Sponsor 1's revised proposal it would acquire 100% of the outstanding common stock of Polycom for an all-cash offer of $12.25 per share in a take-private transaction.

Sponsor 1 indicated that the revised proposal would be funded, in part, with $650m of equity financing and $950m of debt financing. The revised proposal included a letter from a potential lender indicating that, subject to a number of conditions and contingencies, the potential lender was highly confident it could arrange the debt financing.

Polycom continues to engage in discussions with Sponsor 1 with respect to the revised proposal. Polycom's board of directors, in consultation with its legal and financial advisors, will consider the outcome of its discussions or negotiations with Sponsor 1 to determine the course of action that is in the best interest of Polycom and its stockholders, it said in a statement.

In response, Mitel said in a statement, 'Polycom shareholders specifically will own approximately 60% of a $2.4bn, highly profitable, low leverage, strong cash flow company with the scale and portfolio breadth to compete. The deal also offers certainty of committed financing in an uncertain and volatile debt market, and attractive synergy value. Mitel's acquisition of Polycom continues to be the best path forward and best strategic choice to create shareholder value, driven by attractive financial and operational scale'.

The two companies continue to work together with the expectation that the transaction will close this summer in the third quarter.

Entatech UK has condensed its divisions from nine to four and launched a series of multi-touch promo campaigns.

The product categories are now PC Components & Gaming, Systems & Peripherals, Networking & Connected Home, and Retail & Software.

"My vision with Entatech is to sharpen the focus and only compete in areas where we have a significant and demonstrable competence in the eyes of the customer," stated Dave Stevinson, Managing Director.

"I believe what we don't do is currently more important than what we are doing, and that will involve some very tough decisions."

The campaigns will include digital marketing on Entatech's newly developed e-commerce website, Entaonline.com, updates on Entatech's social media platforms and webinars hosted by Entatech Product Managers and key vendors.

Microsoft is to acquire professional social networking platform LinkedIn for $196 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at $26.2bn, inclusive of LinkedIn's net cash.

Following the acquisition, which is thought to be one of the the biggest tech deals ever, LinkedIn will retain its brand, culture and independence. Jeff Weiner will remain CEO of LinkedIn, reporting to Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft.

Reid Hoffman, Chairman of the board, co-founder and controlling shareholder of LinkedIn, and Weiner both fully support this transaction.

LinkedIn has witnessed 19% growth year-over-year to more than 433 million members worldwide with over 105 million unique visiting members per month.

"The LinkedIn team has grown a fantastic business centered on connecting the world's professionals," said Nadella.

"Together we can accelerate the growth of LinkedIn, as well as Microsoft Office 365 and Dynamics as we seek to empower every person and organisation on the planet."

Weiner added: "Just as we have changed the way the world connects to opportunity, this relationship with Microsoft, and the combination of its cloud and LinkedIn's network, now gives us a chance to also change the way the world works. 

"For the last 13 years we've been positioned to connect professionals to make them more productive and successful, and I'm looking forward to leading our team through the next chapter of our story."

The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both LinkedIn and Microsoft.

The deal is expected to close this calendar year.

Vodafone estimates that the loss in potential revenue to a UK small business caused by not having access to their mobile phones for even one day could be as much as £12k.

The operator commissioned research to assess the extent of this problem prior to launching Vodafone Rapid, a new service that promises to get replacement phones into the hands of small businesses anywhere in the UK within four hours of an approved insurance claim being made.

In a poll conducted by YouGov surveying more than 1,000 small businesses with up to nine employees, their senior decision makers estimate on average they would miss out on almost four new business opportunities in a working day when their work mobile is out of action.

Phil Mottram, Enterprise Director at Vodafone UK, said: "When the potential loss of new business opportunities equates to billions of pounds for small businesses country-wide, and more importantly could mean that a small business misses out on that vital call, it's business critical to get replacement phones into the hands of business owners as quickly as possible when they find their mobile is lost, stolen or damaged.

"This is where Vodafone Rapid comes in - getting the country's small business population back up and running with a replacement phone within just four hours."