Comms Dealer

Channel Islands-based JT Group has introduced its first bilateral 4G roaming agreement following the launch of a 4G network in the Islands in February, with roll-out in Jersey due for completion by the end of April.

"JT is proud to be among the first operators globally to launch this new roaming technology and have an aggressive roll-out planned this year with the aim to have all major roaming destinations covered with 4G by year end," said a JT spokesperson.

JT boasts a network of over 550 direct roaming agreements that cover multiple networks in virtually every country worldwide, which rivals the coverage of some of the major players in the global telecommunications industry, claimed the firm.

Genband has entered into a new partnership with service provider Timico to deliver UCaaS to enterprises across the UK

Genband's Nuvia platform can be resold under the Nuvia name or rebranded and resold in a multi-tier model, while Timico will take Nuvia to market branded as Synergy available directly and through select Timico partners.

Genband's Nuvia solution leverages the millions of lines Genband already has deployed in service providers across the UK, and claims to be the only UK cloud service able to reuse legacy Nortel IP phones

Genband is also joining the NextPlane UC Exchange, which already numbers more than 250 federation-ready organisations and 1,000 UC domains around the world.

NextPlane's UC Exchange enables end users to engage their business associates across different organisations via real-time communication, using instant messaging, presence and multi-party chat.

he NextPlane UC Exchange Federation Service enables seamless collaboration regardless of device or location and connects a broad range of UC platforms.

NEC has launched a new Toll Fraud Guard application to help combat the increase in toll fraud.

Designed for NEC's UNIVERGE SV9100 communication server for SMBs plus the SL1100 for the small business, the application is built-in, which means no extra PC is required for installation.

The Toll Fraud Guard application works by monitoring the SMDR output of the system and identifies calls that could be deemed fraudulent. It can then either alert the company via email or if the activity is considered to be more suspicious also block the activity immediately.

NEC Sales Director Andrew Cooper said: "Toll fraud stats in the UK are shocking with an estimated cost of £1.2bn each year and an average cost of £10k per victim. NEC resellers can now help protect their customers with an easily configured solution at an entry-level price."

Reseller Steve Hogan of EBT communications added: "In 2015 toll fraud applications will quickly become an essential for every system install, particularly in the UK, being the third most targeted country in the world."

Demand for intelligent workplace management techniques is on the up, according to Frost & Sullivan, which cites the following as key drivers: The need for real-time information to accelerate decision making processes, manage remote employees, individual workers and distributed value chain vendors, and secure the connected open infrastructure.

The research firm says technologies that drive machine and human intelligence will continue to play an important role in business management across enterprises globally.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Technologies Empowering the Smarter Workplace, has identified six key areas for technology implementation within an enterprise that have the power to completely transform an organisation's capabilities in terms of innovativeness, manageability and efficiency.

"With global economic pressures to lower the cost of operations and services as well as improve business efficiency and productivity, enterprises are adopting technological support to effectively bridge the gap between business operations and customer demands," said Technical Insights Industry Analyst Swapnadeep Nayak.

"In line with these trends, several disruptive technologies such as data management, analytics, social media, mobiles and cloud computing are converging to meet evolving needs."

Using these technologies, enterprises can move beyond communicating with key stakeholders to attaining a better understanding of market demands and business operations for effective strategy implementation. Enterprises will also be able to transform every segment of their business processes and become future-ready smart workplaces by leveraging the convergence of emerging technology concepts.

"As outsourcing and offshoring businesses across the globe lack technological support, companies need to become independent of them to gain a competitive advantage over rivals," noted Technical Insights Research Analyst Debarun Guha Thakurta. "Moreover, companies must identify technologies that can help them apply strategies for better engagement and interaction with their customers."

Red Box Recorders has launched a new solution for organisations using Skype for Business or Microsoft Lync as their Enterprise Voice platform.

Red Box is a member of Microsoft's Independent Software Vendor (ISV) qualification programme and has designed a recording solution that will enable organisations using Skype for Business, and the 2010 and 2013 versions of its predecessor Lync, to capture calls and data for compliance, fact verification, quality monitoring, and other requirements.

By integrating with both platforms, Red Box's Quantify solution offers a number of deployment options to meet the needs of financial institutions, contact centres and more.

In order to support its new solution, Red Box has recruited a senior professional with sales experience in Unified Communications and Contact Centers to help build the Microsoft channel within the business.

Lloyd Bowden joins the company as UK Account Manager with a key remit to create a network of specialist Microsoft Lync and Skype for Business Enterprise Voice Resellers and System Integrators.

Bowden was previously at Mitel where he was responsible for creating and growing a Microsoft Channel business for the company's MiContact Center for Lync contact centre solution across EMEA.

Will Hopkins, Global Sales Director at Red Box Recorders, said: "Skype for Business is an exciting technology that is set to grow rapidly as businesses increasingly recognise the benefits of Unified Communications.

"As a Microsoft partner, Red Box is able to offer recording solutions for Lync and Skype and the expansion of our team is a reflection of our commitment to support these platforms and meet the evolving needs of our customers." 

Chess Partner Services has become part of the O2 Direct Partner Network and sealed a new long-term commercial agreement with the operator.

John Pett, Sales Director for Chess Partner Services commented: "We are totally focused on growing the business in 2015 and this new long-term agreement allows us to invest further in the plans we already launched in the last two months, such as the Elite Partner Program and the O2 commercials.

"The agreement also gives us scope to invest in new products and services that ensure we support our partners and our own growth plans for the future."

Jason Phillips, Head of Partners at O2, added: commented: "We're focusing on developing deeper relationships with our partners."

The agreement means Chess Partner Services is able to offer partners up to 45% revenue share on existing an customer base and up to 50% enhanced revenue share for re-signs, plus further connection bonuses for new voice and digital connections.

2015 also sees a renewed focus on Digital Products, with O2 and Chess Partner Services due to announce a further set of incentives designed to encourage partners to build digital connections.

Aegis IT has been rescued by Technology Services Group (TSG) which bought the failing firm out of administration from rescue and recovery specialists Begbies Traynor.

TSG saved the jobs of all of the Aegis staff who will be integrated into the TSG team.

TSG Chief Exec David Stonehouse said: "Given the quality of both the customer base and the team there was a high level of interest in acquiring Aegis.

"Both the team and the customers fit perfectly with delivering our strategy to increase penetration in the mid-market, most importantly sharing our consultative approach and a deep understanding of technology.

"I'm also delighted that the staff are so enthusiastic about the opportunities for development and career progression that we can offer at TSG."

With expertise across cloud, infrastructure and applications, TSG is an ISO 9001 accredited IT solutions company headquartered in Newcastle with 400 employees in offices around the UK.

TSG holds six Microsoft Gold competencies and continues to make significant investment in the development of its own managed IT services solution, SystemCare.

O2 has launched Just Call Me, a new conference calling solution for businesses. The service turns a mobile number into a conference bridge, removing the need for lengthy and complex dial in details and hidden premium rate charges, said the company.
 
According to O2 Business's own research, over half (52%) of UK workers found conference calls to be more personal, and one third (32%) felt they helped them manage their time more efficiently.

But conference calls are often not widely used in the workplace with the main reasons cited as noisy environments (24%), and difficulty with scheduling calls in diaries (19%).
 
Furthermore, over a third (38%) of respondents believe it is easier to get a point across during a conference call, whereas nearly two thirds (58%) of workers worry that the content of their emails will be misconstrued.
 
Paul Lawton, General Manager of SMB for O2 Business, said: "Our research shows that there's often a reluctance amongst UK workers to pick up the phone even though it might be a better option.

"With O2 Just Call Me we've made conference calling as easy as it can be. O2 Just Call Me forms part of  our recently launched business apps portfolio, giving our customers a range of communication tools so they can work smarter and more effectively."

The average UK worker now spends 288 hours, equivalent to 36 working days of the year, writing emails according to the study from O2 Business.

Research has found that over a third of employees feel 'overwhelmed' by their inboxes, sending on average 4,118 emails a year and receiving 6,225.
 
Despite over half (56%) believing that calling is more effective, the study into workplace communication revealed that the UK is  becoming increasingly over-reliant on email with nearly two thirds (59%) of workers using this form of correspondence more than any other.
 
O2 Just Call Me provides an alternative to email overload, said the company. The app can host a call for up to 20 participants, with no PIN codes and no premium rate dial-in numbers.

Participants do not need to have the app installed themselves and to join a call they just need to dial the host's mobile number as normal.

After years of on-off discussion and persistent industry speculation, Nokia has confirmed it will acquire Alcatel-Lucent (ALU), its rival in the telecom equipment business, for EUR 15.6 billion (a 28% premium for shareholders).

Subject to regulatory approval, the all-paper deal is expected to close during the first half of 2016.

"The merger of near-equals will create a company ranked second in the sector with combined 2014 net sales of EUR 25.9 billion and operating profit of EUR 300 million," said Frost & Sullivan's Senior Analyst for Information & Communication Technologies, Europe, Sheridan Nye.

"This long-awaited move is primarily a defensive one. Neither Nokia nor Alcatel-Lucent alone could realistically take significant share from market-leader Ericsson, or fight off aggressive competition from Huawei. The merger creates a competitor that is stronger than the sum of its two parts. The timing is also good as both companies have completed the worst of their cost cutting programmes and Nokia has extracted itself from the lacklustre Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) joint venture.

"But the challenge is to convince employees and shareholders that cultural integration will be more effective than at either Alcatel-Lucent or NSN, both of which suffered from fragmented governance of merged companies with strong cultures and histories.

"Almost exactly 10 years ago, French national champion Alcatel merged with Lucent, AT&T's former technology arm, but the deal largely failed to realise its potential. Nonetheless the company's customer base in North America now represents its most valuable asset.

"In effect, this 'merger' could be seen as a takeover as the new Nokia Corp will be headquartered in Finland and Nokia's Rajeev Suri will continue as CEO. But implementation will take time and money and effective management will determine whether it succeeds or fails. Nokia also needs to convince competition regulators - notably in the United States and China - to approve the deal, a process that could take several months.

"The passing of the Alcatel and Lucent names into history will be mourned by some, but ultimately it is more important to enter the next phase of telecom transformation under a single, unified banner."

The line-up of finalists for this year's Comms Dealer Sales Awards (Café De Paris, London, May 7th) has been announced following a rigorous judging process. This must-attend event (headline sponsor Eclipse) recognises and applauds the creme de la creme of the ICT industry's revenue generating stars who have greatly excelled in their profession during the past year.

"We call on the industry to come and celebrate the success of our finalists and ultimately our winners at this year's awards ceremony luncheon," enthused event organiser and Comms Dealer Editorial Director Nigel Sergent.

"Whether you are a vendor, distributor or a reseller in the channel don't miss this unique opportunity to share the success of your partners and peers and network with industry friends and colleagues at one of the most motivating and fun events in the channel calendar."

Pete Tomlinson, Director of Sales, Marketing and Product at headline sponsor Eclipse (pictured above delivering the 2014 Sales Award keynote), added: "The ability of our sales and marketing teams to create value in our own businesses and to change the lives of our customers is unparalleled, yet all too often this goes unrecognised.

"These awards ensure that this is no longer the case and recognise the skills and commitment of the most talented people in what is now a true profession. I am delighted to be part of celebrating this success with Eclipse as headline sponsors."

To book your table or individual place please contact Simon Turton - simon@bpl-business.com 01895 454 603, or Claire Hatchett - chatchett@bpl-business.com 01895 454 476

THE COMMS DEALER SALES AWARDS 2015 SHORTLIST

Reseller Sales Team of the Year up to £2.5m

Dataphone
Exsel
LDD Group
Lilly Comms
Nexus IP

Reseller Sales Team of the Year £2.5m-£7m

Nix
Uplands Mobiles
Berry
Greenfields
Imerja

Reseller Sales Team of the Year £7.5m plus

Focus Group
Elite Comms
IP Solutions
Olive Communications

Reseller Best Marketing Campaign

Calyx
Lilly Comms
Olive Communications
T-TECH

Service Provider Channel Account Team of the Year

Channel Telecom
Comms-Care
Coms
Fidelity Group
Frontier Voice & Data
GCI
Node4
Vaioni Wholesale
Zest 4

Service Provider Channel Marketing Team of the Year

Channel Telecom
Comms-Care
GCI
Voiceflex

Service Provider Channel Marketing Campaign of the Year

Channel Telecom
Frontier Voice & Data
ICUK
Voiceflex

Distributor Channel Account Team of the Year

Daisy Distribution
Exertis
Nimans
ProVu
Siphon
Westcon

Distributor Channel Marketing Team of the Year

Pragma
Westcon
Siphon
Nimans

Distributor Channel Marketing Campaign of the Year

Ingram Micro EU
Nimans
Pragma
Westcon

Vendor Channel Account Team of the Year

8x8
Ebillz
Entanet
Gamma
Jabra
Union Street
Virtual 1

Vendor Channel Marketing Team of the Year

Entanet
TMS
Virtual 1
Union Street

Vendor Channel Marketing Campaign of the Year

BT Wholesale
Cisco
Entanet
Jabra
Union Street
Virtual 1