Comms Dealer

DrayTek has augmented its managed wireless solution set launched earlier this year with the launch of the Vigor AP-910C Access Point for ceilings or walls.

The AP-910C supports business class features including 802.11ac WLAN, WPS Wi-Fi Protected Setup for data protection, WMM for intelligent wireless traffic prioritisation and PoE (Power over Ethernet) as standard.

It also boasts a 'smoke alarm' type style allowing discreet, unobstructed installation negating both potential damage to the unit and accidental hazards in situ. ??The AP-910C supports simultaneous operation of the common 2.4Ghz band and the new 5Ghz band. Supporting both bands, devices can use either and with each having its own bandwidth, overall wireless capacity is also increased.

The AP-910C also features multiple levels of wireless security. Encryption using WEP, WPA, WPA2 (802.11i) is available and you can also use the access control list (ACL) to specify the hardware addresses of clients which are permitted to connect. Any unauthorised hardware is refused access. 

The AP-910C can operate in standalone autonomous mode or can form part of a centrally managed wireless installation by adding a compatible DrayTek Wireless Controller.

Intercity Technology is celebrating its third decade in business since it was founded by Alan Jackson in Birmingham in 1985.

The company has an expanded geographical footprint across the UK and into Europe and its acquisition of Gage Networks in April this year extended its reach into the US and Asia.

The firm was first known as Intercity Mobile but in 2010 a rebrand saw the name change to Intercity Telecom. The company is now known as Intercity Technology and a major milestone was sealing the first Vodafone partnership agreement in the UK.

It also claims to be the first UK company to be granted a licence for cellular services in the Netherlands and is accredited with the Institute of Customer Service ServiceMark.

CEO Andrew Jackson (pictured) commented: "We are thankful for the great relationships that we have formed with our customers and partners over the last 30 years.

"We have an amazing team, many of whom are still with us since the business launched.
"These relationships and achievements have shaped our history and will guide our future innovation.

"With 2015 being the fastest growing year in our history we all look forward to what the next 30 years will bring with great optimism."

VoIP distributor ProVu has announced the availability of Panasonic's new KX-TGP600 SIP Cordless Phone System which builds on the previous TGP500 model, adding the ability to link up to eight simultaneous calls and up to eight handsets.

According to Panasonic UK's Communications Group Manager Bob Mercer the latest version will prompt wavering resellers to leap into the rapidly expanding DECT market.

"For the first time a desktop handset option can be added to the solution allowing for greater flexibility," he said. "A new repeater model is also available to allow coverage in more remote locations."

ProVu's Sales Director Ian Godfrey added: "With its increased capacity the TGP600 is a far more powerful solution for the business user.

"It has great auto provisioning capabilities, which allows resellers and service providers to order through ProVu and have the item shipped direct to the end user and work out-of-the-box."

The KX-TGP600 system has a two year standard warranty and comes complete with a base station and one KX-TPA60 cordless handset with charger.

The important role of marketing in the success of a company's growth strategy has been underlined by the appointment of Rob Townsend by Nimans as Group Chief Marketing Officer with a remit to spearhead all marketing activities.

"This is the first time marketing has been represented on the board and reflects the high importance we place on this area of the business," said Chairman Julian Niman.

"This is a significant appointment for us and marks our commitment to marketing and communications.

"Rob's arrival will help push us into the next successful chapter, accelerating growth and building closer working relationships with customers and suppliers."

Townsend's career spans 20 years-plus across a number of sectors and he has much B2B ICT experience.

Townsend commented: "I see this as an exceptional opportunity to help drive the business further forward. We are seeing impressive growth and I look forward to working with all the teams, suppliers and resellers."

Making the most of SIP deals is the rationale behind a new proposition introduced by Nimans that offers bundled minutes and free licences.

The service automatically includes 5,000 bundled minutes per trunk to 01, 02, 03 numbers and UK mobiles (conditions apply).

And if resellers buy a Samsung, Unify or NEC system from Nimans they will receive free system SIP trunk licences when they purchase SIP trunks.

"As part of our SIP offering resellers also benefit from intuitive fraud control, 24/7 cover and competitive data connectivity," stated Head of Network Services Mark Curtis-Wood.

"SIP has developed into a key component and this offer makes it more compelling for resellers to embrace."

Curtis-Wood also urged resellers to take advantage of EtherStream V, a high speed cost-effective alternative to fibre which is now available with targeted geographical campaigns from Nimans.

"More and more resellers are recognising EtherStream V as being the perfect Internet access solution, sitting in the middle of our data proposition between traditional DSL technology and Ethernet fibre," he added.

EtherStream V offers high speed asymmetric connectivity of up to 80Mbps upload and 320Mbps download. The fully managed service comes with 30 working day install lead times and qualifies for the Government's BDUK superfast broadband incentive scheme.

"We can easily identify EtherStream V qualifying postcode areas and are working across key UK cities," added Curtis-Wood.

True Telecom aims to ruffle feathers in the residential market following the launch of a field sales operation in London and the south east.

The company aims to onboard 200 sales agents within a six month period to promote line rental, home phone and broadband across the UK, and a range of SIM-only tariffs.

Tom Evernden has been appointed Head of Field Sales to manage the operation and within 12 months he expects to oversee ten Area Managers based in and around the M25.

The company's aim within the first six months is for each Area Manager to manage 15 Field Sales Agents tasked with introducing True Telecom's services to the residential market.

In the second half of the fiscal year the company will focus its efforts outside of London, targeting a number of major routes such as Leicester, Birmingham, Portsmouth, Reading, Bath and Cambridge.

Evernden commented: "Releasing a National Field Sales team is an innovative step in ensuring that True Telecom becomes a major competitor within the next 12 months."

Avnet is to offer the new VersaStack integrated solution from Cisco and IBM in Europe.

The VersaStack solution combines the Cisco UCS Integrated Infrastructure with the IBM Storwize storage system. Avnet will deliver it to channel partners across Austria, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the UK.

Avnet's offering is supported by SolutionsPath business development, integration capabilities are offered through its integration centre in Tongeren, Belgium.

Dieter Lott, vice president business development at Avnet Technology Solutions EMEA, said: "The addition of VersaStack to our converged and hyper-converged infrastructure portfolio strengthens our position as a value-added distributor in converged solutions."

Node4 has completed the acquisition of London-based Premier IT Networks, a move that strengthens Node4's geographic presence, vertical sector capability and IT expertise.

Under the leadership of Peter Bodley-Scott and Thales Tsailas, Premier IT Networks has grown rapidly since its inception in 2008 to meet the demand for secure cloud computing services in the legal and charity sectors. Both will continue to be actively involved in the business.

Its customers include leading Criminal Chambers 25 Bedford Row and 9-12 Bell Yard, and charities Breast Cancer Now and Prostate Cancer UK.

All of Premier IT Network's employees will continue to work from its London office and will become part of the Node4 team.

All services currently provided to customers will continue and Premier IT Network customers will now also have access to Node4's portfolio of cloud computing, colocation, network connectivity, telephony and communications services.

Premier IT Networks is an ISO27001 accredited company and is also an approved user of the Criminal Justice Secure Email Service. This allows people working in the Criminal Justice Service and those working to prevent crime - including public, private and voluntary organisations - to send emails containing information up to an equivalent of 'Restricted' (i.e. sensitive data), in a secure way. It is also a member of the G-Cloud procurement framework, which allows the public sector to buy cloud-based services from specialised suppliers.

Andrew Gilbert, CEO at Node4, commented: "The Node4 management team is committed to expanding our presence across the UK, as well as our service portfolio, to support the company's ambitious growth plans.

"This latest acquisition strengthens our London presence, as well as bringing valuable sector expertise, which will allow us to grow our presence in the legal, not-for-profit and public sectors. Equally important, we are gaining a team of IT experts who share our values and customer-centric approach to business."

Bodley-Scott added: "Like Node4, our sights are firmly set on future growth. The acquisition by Node4 will enable us to increase the quality and range of services that we can offer to our cloud customers, which will put us in an excellent position to fulfil our growth potential.

'We felt that Node4 was a perfect fit for us in every respect, sharing our ethical approach to business, cultural values and service ethos."

Premier IT Networks was advised by Grant Thornton, whilE business analysts PwC and lawyers Pinsent Masons worked on behalf of Node4.

The Maxwell 10 interactive desktop device from Gigaset pro has gained Unify accreditation.

T he Android-based multi-purpose comms solution - available from Nimans - has achieved Unify's technology connectivity certification following extensive testing.

It boasts a HD ready 10.1" touch display, cordless or corded handset, built in camera, three loudspeakers, microphone and integrated Power over Ethernet - and is now 'Unify ready'.

Ian Brindle, Nimans' Head of Conferencing and Telephony Sales at Nimans, says the Maxwell 10 is a solution particularly for resellers selling Unify's OpenScape Business UC platform.

He explained: "The Maxwell 10's many features complement OpenScape Business and provide resellers with a powerful desktop device that combines style with high performance.

"While the device works on OpenScape Business as a voice solution it also supports Unify's 'my Portal to go' smartphone application which provides full use of OpenScape Business UC capabilities.

He concluded: "Everything a user needs is at their fingertips as an all-in-one desktop solution with integrated WiFi, Bluetooth and DECT capabilities and capacity for up to 12 SIP accounts."

Service provider TMS has launched a new hosted voice solution designed by PBX engineers claiming it counters all of the irritations and omissions from existing hosted voice systems.

TMS says the solution offers a complete hosted package including dedicated handsets (OEM to platform, no programming), three years warranty , three years licence included in handset cost, lease deals (up to £1,000 per seat paid upfront) and a complete feature set per user including unlimited hunt, queue, IVR and voicemail to email.

TMS Director Duncan Wilkinson commented: "All these features are provided from a single supplier, avoiding pitfalls of incompatible systems, network installation delays and faults.

"The package also includes lifetime call recording with full lifetime storage for just £2.00 per month, full analytical software for just £2.00 per month extra and we're paying up-front commissions at a better rate than a traditional PBX sale."