Comms Dealer

Pivotal Networks, the sister company of cloud infrastructure specialists SITS Group, has made a number of staff changes following growth over the last 12 months - including the stepping down of MD Kevin Almond.

Pivotal Networks was formed in 2011 with the aim of complementing SITS Group's established offerings in the form of WAN, LAN, Wireless and connectivity solutions.

The last 18 months has also seen the firm add telephone solutions to its portfolio.

Representing the board of Directors Phil Cambers commented: "Since its inception in 2011 we have seen a healthy demand for Pivotal services from both SITS Group's existing client base as well as new clients.

"In the same way as SITS Group has chosen to specialise in its field, Pivotal also specialises which has accounted, in part, for the solid growth it has seen in the last four years."

Demand for Pivotal's services, which saw turnover increase to just under £1m for the financial year 2014/15, has led to the employment of three new members of staff in the last two months.

Joanne Blacklock joins with many years of experience in both sales and operational roles in the capacity of Installation Co-ordinator, Emma Phillips joins the sales team as an Inside Sales Representative and Stuart McMain joins as Network Consultant.

As part of the plans moving forwards, Pivotal's MD Kevin Almond has stepped down to explore new avenues and the four Directors of SITS will run the Pivotal business.

Almond said: "I've learnt a lot in the last four four years. Running a business has been both exciting and challenging, but it's now time to use that experience and explore other avenues and spend more time with my family."

NEC has unveiled its SAP HANA Tailored Datacenter Integration Solutions (NEC Storage), designed to simplify the installation of SAP HANA(R) in-memory database software.

This solution is a combination of the NEC's SAP HANA appliance server, the NEC High-Performance Appliance for SAP HANA, and four models from the NEC M Series of storage products.

All of the four models' storage have been certified by SAP for the SAP HANA Enterprise Storage.

Operation verification and evaluation of the connection to the SAP HANA appliance server are also completed prior to delivery.

"We have seen rapidly increasing demand from enterprise customers for SAP HANA as a big data processing platform," said Hiroyuki Asaga, General Manager, Partners' Platform Division, NEC Corporation.

"The new solution, which combines our SAP HANA appliance server and storage products that have been certified for SAP HANA Enterprise Storage, will simplify the installation of SAP HANA and enable more customers to benefit from high speed in-memory processing."

Growing interest in Microsoft cloud has prompted Tech Data to appoint Joel Wilson as Business Development Executive for the Cloud Solutions Provider (CSP) and Services Provider License Agreement (SPLA) programme.

Previously, Wilson was part of the Microsoft Sure Step Team which works with partners on placing and managing their first orders and deliveries of Office 365.

Microsoft Business Manager at Tech Data, Mark Whittle, said: "Interest in CSP is growing fast and SPLA is also attracting more enquiries now.

"We've brought Joel in to ensure we can meet those demands.

"It's important that we help Microsoft resellers start to understand and benefit from these progressive programmes in every way that we can."

Tech Data Europe was one of the first distributors selected to participate in Microsoft's CSP programme.

The scheme expands cloud sales opportunities for resellers by enabling them to sell combined services and directly provision, manage and support customers.

Tech Data has integrated CSP into its StreamOne Cloud aggregation and billing platform, enabling partners to collate invoices for their customers on a regular basis.

Nearly 2,500 global compa nies were acquired in the first half of 2015, marking a 25% sequential increase in global tech M&A deal activity from 2014 and a $416bn in deal flow, says a researcher.

Mooreland Partners also predicts continued growth in transatlantic M&A activity in H2 2015. "The Transatlantic Bridge" is set to grow in strength during the second half of this year, as a result of a weaker Euro and ever growing cash piles held in Europe by US corporations, it says.

Mooreland Partners' H1 2015 Global Technology M&A Report shows a significant increase in technology M&A volumes and value since the beginning of 2015. Cross-border deals including deals across the 'Transatlantic Bridge' between the US and Europe represented a significant part of that increase," said Peter Globokar, Managing Director, Mooreland Partners.

The US remains the largest technology M&A market accounting for 50% of transactions. Europe is the second most active market with a much higher incidence of cross-border transactions: Only 15% of all US targets were acquired by a foreign buyer, but roughly 40% of European targets were acquired by foreign buyers, which were predominantly from the US.

Transatlantic tech M&A activity remains vibrant and diverse, it says: There were nearly 250 transatlantic transactions recorded in H1 2015 or four deals every three days, with 165 European targets acquired by US buyers, and 82 US targets acquired by European buyers.

The UK was the largest tech market for US buyers with 66 transactions or 40% of the transatlantic total. France, Germany, Sweden, Ireland, and the Netherlands all saw between 10 and 15 acquisitions by US buyers take place. Eight transatlantic transactions in excess of $1Bn occurred in H1 2015, of which half were made by European buyers in the US, notably, the acquisition of Freescale by NXP, and the acquisition of Igate by Cap Gemini.

Money being redeployed from BDUK schemes with higher subscription rates than anticipated should be put to competitive tender according to Malcolm Corbett, CEO of INCA, the Independent Networks Co-operative Association.

So far around £130m has been earmarked for reallocation, but rather than giving the money back to BT, INCA is urging local authorities to seek competitive responses from BT and a range of alternative suppliers.

As the collective voice of more than 55 alternative broadband suppliers INCA has first-hand knowledge of the sheer value for money that these providers are delivering.

Malcolm Corbett, CEO of INCA, said: "INCA represents a wide range of alternative suppliers, and many are already making excellent progress delivering super and ultrafast broadband services in urban and rural areas.

"Increasingly, government and BDUK see these suppliers as forming an important part of the mix for maximising coverage and achieving the best possible value for money for local broadband schemes.

"More often than not, investment from altnets requires less public subsidy than telcos, for example, 50% rather than 85%, and regularly requires no public funding at all.

"This is in part due to their local knowledge of the community and geography, as well as the fact that they can be far more flexible in their approach and commit private investment to areas that BT finds challenging.

"In many of our towns, cities and rural areas, alternative suppliers are building new ultrafast and superfast networks with great success, creating the digital infrastructure necessary to help our businesses and economy thrive.

"Often they work in partnership with other providers and with community schemes, for example B4RN, Fibre GarDen and Cybermoor. It is unacceptable that many urban areas, in addition to the well-publicised rural notspots, still suffer from poor broadband.

"It is the alternative providers that are often willing to invest in digitally deprived areas when others would prefer to wait for a subsidy to materialise."

A recent survey among INCA's membership reinforced the fact that these providers are gaining momentum and significant traction. It revealed that more than 1 million premises can already connect to infrastructure built, owned and managed by the firms that responded, a figure set to rise to 10 million over the next few years.

The success of the sector brings extra capacity and investment to assist the Government in reaching its rural broadband targets and supports the emerging 'ultrafast' agenda outlined in the Digital Communications Infrastructure Strategy.

Corbett continued: "Partnerships between alternative providers, local authorities and community schemes can often pay real dividends. For instance the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham has struck a deal with ITS Technology to run fibre optic cable through the existing CCTV ducts on a concession basis.

"This means that not only are the costs and disruption of digging in a busy area dramatically reduced, but citizens and businesses get access to dedicated, ultrafast digital infrastructure, and the local authority will generate new revenues from an under-utilised asset.

"INCA is providing a platform for these alternative providers to collaborate and strike up partnerships that will improve the UK's digital infrastructure, and in turn help improve the UK's economic performance.

"It is by engaging the independent, competitive sector that coverage can be extended further and more quickly, with the maximum value for taxpayers' and investors' money, and to the benefit of the end user."

A business-only network provider that almost lost everything after the September 11th attacks and the latest recession is celebrating its 20th year with turnover now running at £10m-plus.

TFM Networks, which launched as Technology Facility Management in 1995, provides networks to UK hospitality, retail and construction companies.

The Buckinghamshire-based business specialised in hospitality and retail in its early years, redesigning networks for the likes of Travelodge and Officers Club, building the first check-in network system for Premier Inn.

However, on 11th September 2001, with the ink still drying on a deal with a major US hospitality chain, the hotel industry collapsed almost overnight, threatening to take TFM with it.

"Despite all the fantastic work we'd completed for major clients, the acquisition we made on 10th September was rocked by the terrible events of the following day," said Tom Yates, Chairman and Co-Founder of TFM.

"The US hotel market crash almost put us out of business and we had to sell many of our major assets and downsize in order to survive.

"Despite turning over millions the year before, we were reduced to just six staff and back to square one financially, turning over under £200,000 that year."

After a period of consolidation the company was reborn in 2003 as TFM Networks, developing a scalable MPLS solution over broadband with Tiscali.

The business was also quick to recognise the imminent rise of Chip and PIN and how this would create a need for faster, always-connected networks in the retail world.

In 2006 TFM Networks installed a QoS-enabled broadband MPLS VPN for high street fashion retailer H&M. This guaranteed a consistent high quality service that the retailer could depend on. TFM's growth subsequently accelerated and the company continues to go from strength to strength.

Stewart Yates, CEO of TFM Networks, commented: "We have come a long way since we began in 1995. Our ability to adapt and committed people got us through a continually evolving technological and economic landscape not to mention the worst terrorist attack and economic recession in living memory.

"We remain a proud family-run business that continues to deliver networks that have helped UK businesses grow immeasurably over the last decade.

"We're already preparing business for the next wave of challenges we will face as communications technology and our online activity continues to dominate our lives.

"Growing online demands are driving the expansion of networks requiring more data intensive networks and the expansion of IP addressing into v6.

"We're also embracing the Internet of Things, a world of interconnected smart devices that will automate a variety of services for business and consumers alike.

"We're looking forward to the next twenty years in a rapidly evolving industry."

Brian Lodge has been named MD for South West Communications Group following former MD Harry Langley's move to the FD role, taking over from Sarah Tadd who retired.

Langley held the MD post for nine years but health issues prompted his move to a less demanding role.

CEO and Chairman Tony Rowe OBE said: "Harry's workload was becoming a challenge and Sarah's retirement presented an opportunity to make some changes at board level as part of our wider plan to achieve a turnover target of £30m.

"Our new Commercial Director, Jon Whiley, has taken on some of Harry's commercial duties and will support the sales department, headed up by Sales Director Sarah Flowers."

Director of ICT John Holdstock and Director of General Operations Sean Doyle have been elevated from their Non-Executive Director roles to full executive directorships on the board.

GCI Channel Solutions has relocated its midlands-based operations to Grade 1 listed Darley Abbey Mills in Derby. GCI moved to the historic building, which dates back to the 1700s, following a £1.2m investment from owners Patterns Properties.

"The refurbished open plan office is the ideal location for our fully cloud-based business," said Mark Whitehead, Director of Channel Sales. "The Mills provide a collaborative open plan and stylish working environment.

"While staff will benefit from a vibrant collective working environment, beautiful surroundings and great onsite facilities, for GCI the move was an important element in the growth of Darley Abbey Mills and the Derbyshire business community, marking major milestone in the establishment of a Creative Village in the area by attracting creative businesses in media, technology and telecommunications."

Virgin Media Business has been awarded preferred supplier status in all ten categories of the Government's new Network Service Framework (NSF).

The framework is now operational and is estimated to attract more than £500 million of public sector ICT spend by the end of this year.

Released by the Crown Commercial Service (CCS), the NSF is the main procurement communications framework for public sector organisations in the UK.

The framework will help healthcare providers, emergency services, local councils and other public sector organisations realise greater flexibility and value when they're looking to procure a full range of communications services including mobile, VoIP, video conferencing and local area networks.

By securing a place in every category, Virgin Media Business cements its status as a leading supplier to the public sector and enables it to fulfil cross IT service requirements. To gain acceptance on each of the lots, suppliers were asked to pass a series of technical and commercial hurdles.

Peter Kelly, Managing Director, Virgin Media Business, said: "Virgin Media Business has a long track record of working in partnership with the public sector. It's essential these organisations have the tools and solutions they need to securely communicate, share information and collaborate with each other. We are delighted to be recognised by Crown Commercial Services as a preferred partner with outstanding products and services."

Virgin Media Business has nearly 20 years experience servicing public sector organisations including more than 250 NHS organisations, 60% of the UK's police force and half the UK's fire and ambulance services. It works with over 3,000 schools and universities to enable more innovative learning and local councils to improve connectivity in communities.

Customer contact technology specialist Sabio has appointed Ben Le Feuvre as Head of its Network Services business.

He joins from Capita IT Enterprise Services and in his new role will be responsible for developing Sabio's expanding network services portfolio.

The proposition leads on SIP Trunking and Inbound 08/03 solutions but also encompasses data connectivity and interactive text as well as traditional ISDN services managed through the company's customer billing portal.

"We're committed to developing our Network Services proposition at Sabio, so bringing in Ben Le Feuvre, with his expertise in developing and growing UK voice and data services operations, is a great move for Sabio," commented Sebastian Henkes, Sabio's Managing Director.

"A key driver behind organisations selecting Sabio is our ability to back all our solutions with a services wrap, significantly reducing complexity for our customers. Sabio Network Services is an important part of that offering, and we look forward to expanding this part of our business under Ben's direction."

Le Feuvre added: "Sabio Network Services complements the company's broader customer contact technology portfolio. I'm looking forward to helping develop the Network Services proposition and making it a compelling choice for organisations wanting to streamline their solutions and services supply chain.

"In addition to helping organisations optimise their core telephony spend, Sabio Network Services can add value by easing the transition to more resilient and flexible next generation services. Taking full ownership of the whole telephony estate is an extremely powerful proposition, especially with Sabio's single point of support model."

Le Feuvre brings over 25 years senior carrier and channel expertise to Sabio, and joins the company after five years heading up Capita IT Enterprise Services' Voice Network Services business.

He served as channel director at Gamma Telecom from 2007 to 2010, and before that helped Telstra establish its wholesale, service provider and dealer channels in the UK.

Earlier in his career Le Feuvre worked with other major carrier and communications organisations including Siemens, WorldCom and Tiscali.