Comms Dealer

Panasonic has introduced the KX-HDV230 SIP desk phone, designed to bring increased versatility and usability to the small business world.

Easy installation, low-cost maintenance and long-lasting robust design mean the KX-HDV230 has a low Total Cost of Ownership, said the firm.

Panasonic Marketing Manager for Communication Solutions, Carlos Osuna, said: "We know that for today's businesses, high quality communication and reliability is only part of what they need. The solutions we offer must also bring long-term cost savings as part of the deal.

"That's why we've made sure that our KX-HDV230 more than delivers on all fronts. We think this makes it an attractive proposition for carriers."

The KX-HDV230's enhanced features include six-line connection, gigabit ethernet, Power over Ethernet and 24 flexible function keys with self-labelling. It also offers an optional expansion module to increase the number of flexible keys to 224.

The KX-HDV230 includes a combination of HD SONIC features such as full duplex, acoustic full duplex, acoustic echo cancellation, and packet loss concealment, to maximise voice quality and wideband communication performance.

The KX-HDV230 will be joined in the coming months by two more models.

The latest release of 3CX Phone System for Windows gives resellers the ability to provide both a hosted and on-premise PBX on the same platform.

According to the firm Version 14 of its communications solution will be a 'welcome addition' for partners looking to expand their offering to include virtual PBX services.

3CX's rewritten smartphone clients for iOS and Android boast advanced PUSH technology and an integrated SIP tunnel. Smartphone users can now use their office extension anywhere with the same ease of use as a normal cellphone call.

Using to PUSH, 3CX can wake up the phone in the case of an inbound call and fast registration and response allows the user to answer calls easily.

Nick Galea, CEO of 3CX said: "Now with integrated PUSH in our softphone clients, which gives 3CX PUSH messages priority over others, 3CX Phone System is offering true mobility with the office system at the user's fingertips wherever they are."

Also, users will now be offered an additional deployment option, allowing 3CX partners to offer 3CX as a hosted PBX. 3CX Phone System v14 can be installed as a Virtual PBX server for up to 25 instances on a single Windows Server, easing ongoing management and lowering per instance deployment cost, said the vendor.

The addition comes at a time when vendors are seeing an increasing demand for cloud-based business solutions. It is predicted that by 2018 the hosted PBX/UC sector will have driven over $18bn in revenue. "With 3CX Phone System Hosted PBX, 3CX partners will also be able to offer 3CX as a hosted solution along with the on-premise version," added Galea..

On an administrative level, 3CX adds improved management features such as scheduled backup and restore, more alerts and a streamlined interface.

3CX also integrates virtually out of the box fault tolerance.

With the PRO edition it is now easy to maintain a virtual 'copy' of 3CX Phone System as a hot standby and failover in the unlikely event of a server failure.

Furthermore, administrators can enjoy a range of additional new features including scheduled reports by email, voicemail and recordings quota management, and new SIP trunk providers to choose from including Broadvoice, AMcom, Deutsche Telekom and Time Warner Cable to name just a few.

The company's integrated video conferencing solution, 3CX WebMeeting, has also undergone improvements, namely better video delivery due to improved WebRTC support.

Vapour Media has launched a new cloud-based bundle called All in One, a per-person, per-month managed solution encompassing cloud voice, data storage, LAN and WAN connectivity.

Vapour Director Tim Mercer has urged resellers to help drive technological change in the small business community. He said: "Cutting edge technology and big budgets no longer go hand-in-hand. Likewise, having an in-house IT expert is not a pre-requisite for efficient and affordable business communications.

"However, the UK's small businesses are still not getting the solutions and services they deserve. The advent of cloud means businesses, no matter how big or how small, have the flexibility to scale their communication needs in tandem with their business aspirations.

"While the cloud is growing at such a pace and consumer demand for instant access, instant answers and a robust service, businesses can no longer sit on their hands and ride out the familiarity of old technology. The channel and its network of resellers, with their reputations for service delivery at a local level, need to evangelise and educate about the benefits of cloud.

"We decided to take the headache out of an unnecessarily complex end-to-end solution and give channel partners, and their customers, a solution they would both understand and be able to instantly derive the business benefits."

All in One is fully installed and tested by Vapour engineers and managed 24 hours a day from the company's Network Operation Centre. Dedicated private access with class (CoS) and quality of service (QoS) comes as standard.

Established in 2013, Vapour supports IT and telco resellers by providing them with a point of access to its own private network, a choice of network providers and the ability to deploy cloud-based services, working with and educating the channel to adopt new technologies.

Hats off to eircom for scooping Xirrus' MSP Partner Of The Year Award for 2015.

Xirrus' CEO Shane Buckley presented the award during a ceremony at eircom's HQ in Dublin.

Since becoming a Xirrus MSP Partner last year, eircom has deployed Xirrus' technology in hundreds of customer sites.

"We have been impressed by the way in which the company deploys our technology and delivers innovative Wi-Fi solutions in a way that visibly benefits end users," said Buckley. "We are also delighted with eircom's ability to exceed customer demand for efficiency, cost effectiveness and investment protection."

Bill Archer, MD for eircom Business Solutions, added: "We have a strong and solid partnership with Xirrus, which allows us to deliver innovative Wi-Fi solutions to our customers. We are honoured to be recognised by one of our key partners, and we look forward to working together for many more years."

Sennheiser CEOs Daniel and Dr. Andreas Sennheiser offered a glimpse of the audio firm's next product at an exclusive event at London's Central Hall Westminster.

Themed 'Reshaping Excellence', the celebration of sound and innovation marked Sennheiser's 70th anniversary year and featured a concert performed to an audience of 1,200 guests by the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie orchestra and Grammy award winning artist Imogen Heap.
 
At London's Central Hall Westminster, Sennheiser's guests had the opportunity to experience the company's products and received a private viewing of solutions and technologies never before shown to the public.

"Sennheiser has had seven decades at the cutting edge of audio. With 'Reshaping Excellence' we are announcing a new phase of even higher ambition," said CEO Daniel Sennheiser.
 
The evening's highlight was marked by the first glimpse of Sennheiser's next 'big thing', unveiled by the CEOs at the end of the concert.

"This exciting event allowed us to share the first details of a new product that embodies a new benchmark in excellence in the high-end audio world," claimed CEO Dr. Andreas Sennheiser.
 
Although not fully revealed, it was announced by the Sennheiser CEOs that the new product will cover a frequency range that exceeds the limits of human perception.

An 'absolutely perfect sound reproduction' is assured by 2.4 micrometer, platinum-sputtered diaphragms.

The product uses high grade Carrara marble, the same kind once used by Michelangelo to create his sculptures.

The product's unveiling will continue on a dedicated website which will be launched shortly to announce additional facts about the milestone product. "There is much more to come and we are looking forward to revealing more information over the coming weeks," said Daniel Sennheiser.

News of Computacenter's HI results prompted a slight rise in share price with 'one-off gains' catalysing a jump in interim pre-tax profit. For the six months ended 30th June adjusted pre-tax profit rose 13.7% from the same period last year to £29.1m, lifted by the £42.2m sale of its RDC recycling business in February.

Revenue slipped to £1.44bn from £1.46bn on the back of a weak euro, said the firm.

Chief Executive Mike Norris commented: "Despite the significant headwinds created by a weak euro the operating performance of the group remains in line with the board's original expectations for 2015.

"However, the group has benefited from a number of one-off gains that will not be repeated in either the second half of the year or during 2016."

Computacenter's Chairman Greg Lock added: "Our business in the UK has benefited from the start of a number of significant managed services contracts won in 2014.

"In Germany we have seen good growth in the opportunities for managed services, and in France we have seen improvements in our operations as a result of our group-wide model being implemented there.

"Proceeds from the disposal of our recycling unit RDC, together with our healthy operational cashflow, allowed us to return approximately £98m to our shareholders only 18 months after our previous return of £75m.

"Our past performance counts for little if we do not keep winning the confidence and business of our customers."

A range of ErisTerminal SIP business phones introduced to the UK market by VTech Communications follows a successful launch in the USA and a Product of the Year award win for the SIP Deskset (VSP725), a SIP solution with an embedded DECT module and PoE support, dual Ethernet ports and HD audio.

The VSP725A and VSP735A's DECT RF modules enable the registration of the VSP601A and VSP500A cordless headset. The range also includes the VSP600A SIP DECT base and handset with capacity for five additional handsets; and the entry level model VSP715A.

UC provider Abzorb has rolled out a white label PBX maintenance service that promises recurring revenue streams for partners.
 
Abzorb's proposition includes full on site support nationwide via its exclusive partnership with Telecoms Resource.

Abzorb's Head of Data Services, Darren Smith, said: "It is important within the channel to offer products and services that complement each other as well as add real value. Teaming up with Telecoms Resource makes absolute sense." 

Don Moore, Director of Telecoms Resource, added: "Our relationship with Abzorb enables the channel to deal with some of the most challenging multi-vendor estates across the UK and Ireland."

The final entry deadline for the Comms National Awards has been extended to 5pm on Tuesday SEPTEMBER 8th 2015, giving potential award winners more time to register and put together an entry.

"The entry process is really simple and represents the perfect opportunity for you to reward and recognise the people who have helped your company achieve success over the last year," said Nigel Sergent, Comms Dealer Editorial Director and awards event organiser.

"In fact, a Comms National Award is the most prestigious accolade organisations working in the UK ICT industry can win."

For RESELLERS the Comms National Awards process is the ultimate opportunity to acknowledge the superb solutions their teams provide for customers.

For VENDORS, DISTRIBUTORS, CARRIERS and SERVICE PROVIDERS the CN Awards recognise the products and support you provide to help channel partners create and supply those solutions.

The CN Awards are fairly and meticulously judged by a team of experienced channel experts. That is why they are so highly prized. Meet the Comms National Awards judging panel here.

And the glittering finals night on October 22nd 2015 will once again be the highlight of the channel event calendar.

To find out more visit www.cnawards.com

Virtual1 has today moved into larger offices in Finsbury Square, just a short distance away from Angel Court where it has spent the last two years.

Having secured the 6th floor at the newly refurbished AlphaBeta building almost a year ago the wholesaler is looking forward to growing the business yet further.

CEO Tom O'Hagan said: "We have grown our staff numbers considerably over the last two years and the new office substantially increases the amount of desk space we have, providing the opportunity for further growth, for our staff to spend more time with partners as well as placing Virtual1 as a destination employer."

The company continues to expand and next year will reach over £25m turnover through its cloud and connectivity solutions.

Owning one of the largest interconnected networks across the UK, with a particular focus on London, the company recently launched its 1Cloud solution providing a pay-as-you-go alternative to traditional hosting.

The AlphaBeta building has undergone significant redevelopment worth £40m over the last two years and provides 210,000 sq ft of modern office space.

The building has chill-out zones, roof-top bars, a nine storey atrium, gym facilities and a ramp that allows cyclists to ride into the building.

Situated at the intersection of Silicon Roundabout, Shoreditch and the City, AlphaBeta is at the heart of a location that is rapidly becoming internationally recognised as the centre for creative and commercial innovation in London.

Currently employing over 65 people Virtual1 has put in place a series of employee engagement strategies to build on the findings of a recent employee engagement survey.

The company achieved 'outstanding' in the Best Companies ranking earlier in the year and continues to place its employees wellbeing as a priority.

"This move allows us to take advantage of Virtual1's strong talent pool and cost-effective environment to continue to build the company into a leading provider of connectivity solutions," added O'Hagan.

"The new offices will be more efficient in delivering effective interaction with our national Partner base and our strategic Partners within central London.

"Partners will be able to attend various training sessions and events and can even hold customer meetings as our offices will provide a more flexible and accessible venue for meetings, training and events."

Kate Brunning, Head of Talent and HR, added: "The entire team is looking forward to settling into the new office and enjoying the latest facilities and vibrant workspaces.

"The new venue is only a mile away, but we have been planning this for almost a year and have been communicating with staff since we made the decision to move and have involved members of the team through every step to ensure the new office provides a rewarding environment."