Comms Dealer

Heartfelt tributes have flooded in following the death last week of channel legend David George, formerly founder of Crane Distribution and latterly Chairman of Pragma Distribution. A private family funeral will take place later this month but a memorial service is being planned and details will be posted on this website once arrangements have been confirmed.

Tributes

We are deeply saddened by the news of David’s passing and our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and relatives. David was key in establishing the LG brand in the UK market at a time when LG was not a recognised brand. He did this the only way David knows how, with a high dose of integrity and hard work peppered with fun and laughter. We will all miss him greatly.
Ahed Alkhatib, VP Global Sales, Ericsson-LG Enterprise

I am so sorry to hear of the very sad passing of David, a true gentleman of our industry. Our thoughts and wishes are with his family, from all at Incom Business Systems.
David Hughes, Managing Director, Incom Business Systems

From the first time I met David his infectious smile and gentlemanly demeanour had an immediate positive impact on me. The business world can be heartless and without compassion but David stood for fairness and the forces of good practice. His sense of fairness and justice while in pursuit of business success was exemplary and outstanding. Like most, I was inspired just by being in his company.
Bahman Rahimi, CEO, BDR Voice & Data Solutions

Many of us knew David for over 25 years and through him a great number of friendships and bonds were formed. It is fair to say that The Concert Group would never have existed without David's influence. He had an extraordinary ability to build both commercial and personal relationships with those he knew, and the industry was enriched by his presence. Something to be very to be proud of. We will miss him.
Jonathan Sawyer, Taurus Clearer Communication, on behalf of The Concert Group

Like many others I knew David for over 25 years and it was an absolute pleasure to do business with him and a privilege to call him my friend. Like many of you, I could go on for hours recalling the memories of the various DG trips that I have enjoyed with David over so many years, and I often recall the memories and have a laugh to myself. What great times we had, with memories that will last a lifetime. There is no doubt the industry and his many friends will recognise the great loss of David George, otherwise known as Sir David. God bless you David.
Tom Cullen, Managing Director, Digitel Europe

When David spotted an opportunity he game-changed the industry - such was his vision. He was a man, who in recent times, knew that he was battling once again with Father Time, yet always found the time for others. The passing of a true gentleman and an industry giant. He will be missed by one and all, but never forgotten.
David Wardell, Managing Director, Evoke Telecom  

I am so sad to hear of David's passing. He was instrumental in Future Telecoms' success and a true leader of people. A very sad day for the industry.
Gary Allsopp, Founder, Future Telecom

I have had the honour and pleasure of working with David for many
years.  He always challenged, inspired and motivated me and I owe him a
great deal. David built a reputation in the UK telecoms channel for
being  fair, honest and easy to do business with, a legacy we are all
charged with continuing at Pragma. His loss has affected us all deeply,
but we are comforted by the many messages of affection and support we’ve
received from so many who also cared about David.
Tim Brooks, Managing Director Pragma Distribution

David will be remembered fondly by all who worked for and with him. Many of
us owe our current careers and in my case my wife and family to the time
spent at Crane.
Craig Walden, Big Beach Marketing

Great sadness at the loss of David. A great man, great boss and best friend.
Will miss him very much and my thoughts are with his family.
Denise Drew, Former Director Crane Telecommunications

Really lovely guy. Sad day.
Andrew Dickinson, Jola

I will miss David so very much it hurts, but I have so many happy memories and they can never be taken away. I have friendships created by David that will remain for life and always serve to remind us all of his ethics, hard work and above all else his sense of fairness to everyone around him. See you when I get there my friend, and rest in peace.
Dave Corgat, Managing Director, Rainbow

David was a real champion of the industry. He led the way as a hands-on distributor, keen to support the smallest of businesses as much as the largest.  The support from Crane to the reseller channel was second to none and enabled so many people, businesses and relationships to grow. Out of those relationships came friendships and good times which I will always cherish and be thankful for. I will miss him.
Bruce Sutherland, Operations Director, Carritech

28 years ago I was a frustrated product manager for National Telephone Systems when David approached me and offered me the chance to expand my role working directly for him – how lucky was I. David became my mentor, developing my skills and business knowledge, putting this to a test when in April 1990 he suggested that we should set up a UK distributor for LG – the rest is history. David gave me the start in life most never get. I will always be in his debt, he was a true friend through thick and thin, he praised when deserved but gave me a big kick when required. David you will always be part off my life rest in peace.
Tracy Jackson, MD, ETS Communications

I first met David when I was employed by Crane as a Sales Support engineer. I found him to be a kind, generous and understanding man – a true gentleman. He will be sadly missed by all. My thoughts and prayers go out to David’s family.
Paul Norton, Managing Director, Comms2Comms

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SIP and hosted carrier tIPicall has passed the SIP interoperability tests with SpliceCom, developer and manufacturer of soft, hard and virtual telephone systems.

Guy Miller, tIPicall MD, said: "We are always keen to work with British manufacturers in the communications sector and as a supported SpliceCom service provider this gives confidence to our resellers."

Robin Hayman, Director of Marketing & Product Management at SpliceCom, added: "We're pleased to be able to add tIPicall to our worldwide list of certified SIP providers. We've found unbelievable levels of synergy working closely with a British company who provide a global reach and deliver an offer that's built to the highest specifications, based on an architecture designed around scalability and resilience."

Recruitment's Manic Monday reveals that over 30% of telecoms people would like a new job. With the first week of the recruitment year behind us, 2015 looks set to be the year of much change for most resellers and their employees, writes Clive Jefferys, JMA Network.

The first key evidence originates from the rapid rise in new candidate registrations in the last seven days. After a typically quiet holiday period, the influx of new interest rose rapidly, delivering what the jobsites dubbed as Manic Monday when activity broke records on the 5th January. For example; one leading job board witnessed a 37% spike with over 400,000 unique visits in just 24 hours.

Closer to home that day, we chose to survey a select cohort on our private database, emailing over 1,000 qualified telecoms people that have contacted us in the last decade. At time of writing, we have received 164 direct replies from people seeking a new position immediately, and going by the hits on our job pages, I would say the same proportion again are passively interested in new opportunities.

Now this doesn't mean that droves of people are going to walk away from their desk tomorrow, however it does show interest at the highest level I've seen for donkey's years. Following the old adage that 'where there's a will, there is a way', it's pretty obvious that a lot of people will be on the move.

On the other side of the coin, I've been sitting in front of clients most of this week - mornings, afternoons and evenings. The keywords with them are Sales, New Business and Expansion and we are still in the process of publishing all the new vacancies that have come in.

As you would expect the recruitment industry is now operating at peak flow, as 70% of all job moves happen in the first half of the year.

Overall, my impression from these surveys is one of great confidence among both communities. It's fantastic to be able to report such news at long last!

Change is not a bad thing, as people advance their careers they bring new skills to new jobs allowing us all to reach our goals. So if you are in the wrong job, or you want to incentivise your people to achieve more - ride the wave and go for it!

Daisy Group's business partner division Daisy Indirect is aiming to catch the eye of comms and IT resellers with a new upfront commission payment structure.

The division's model of offering upfront commissions on its EFM solutions gives partners access to payments at the point of install rather than at the point of billing.

Chris Burney, Head of Daisy Indirect, said: "With an anticipated 32% increase in our data business this year we are offering partners an opportunity to jump on the bandwagon.

"Those in the IT market can gain access to our portfolio of data services without the risk that they are usually perceived to carry."

The Daisy Indirect division has witnessed a significant uplift in its new data business over the last 12 months.

Burney noted: "The success of our data business is due in large part to the accreditations we hold. It is important for partners - especially those that are new to data solutions - to team up with a provider that has the knowledge and experience to support them and their customers with their data service.

"With the rise of cloud-based solutions, quality connectivity is becoming essential in the SME workplace. We hope that by launching our upfront commission offer to the channel we can take away that risk element and enable more partners to access such opportunities in the market."

For the second year running Adept Telecom has been shortlisted for Best Telecommunications plc at the UK Stock Market Awards 2015.

"We are honoured to be shortlisted alongside such great industry names as BT, Manx Telecom, Talk Talk and Telecom Plus," said CEO Ian Fishwick. "We'd like to say a huge thank you to all of our shareholders for their support."

The UK Stock Market Awards 2015 will take place at the Sheraton Park Lane Hilton, London on 26th March.

Yorkshire-based Vital Technology Group has expanded its portfolio with the launch of Vital Telecommunications following a link-up with Gamma.

The comms arm will provide the latest next generation communications solutions via a telephony system branded as Vital Horizon Hosted.

The new company will also offer a full range of IP and traditional fixed line services and call packages to complete its portfolio.

Lee Evans (pictured), MD of Vital Technology Group, said: "The telecoms market is undergoing a rapid shift towards IP and data network-based systems. After all, what is a modern phone or smartphone if not a computer?

"While this convergence offers many potential benefits to business, there are also a number of new challenges represented by the increased complexity of the IT environment.

"This is a natural fit for Vital with our expertise and proven track record in deploying and managing our clients' IT infrastructures through our Vital Network Solutions subsidiary."

With the additional of Vital Telecommunications Vital Technology Group now encompasses three divisions serving businesses with IT solutions through Vital Network Solutions, web, ecommerce and online marketing through Vital Online Studio plus the telecoms offering.

The benefits of becoming an apprentice are to be promoted to hundreds of local high school students following the recruitment of a young Bury man as an Apprenticeship Ambassador.

In his new role Ben Howarth (pictured), 22, will visit schools across Greater Manchester explaining what apprenticeships are and the career paths they can offer. He will also draw upon his own positive experiences as an apprentice with Bury-based data and telecommunications specialist Pennine Telecom.

The former Elton High School and Bury College student is taking part in Apprenticeship Ambassador Programme which was initiated by Manchester City Council in partnership with the Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network.

Howarth made his first presentation to Year 10 pupils at Bolton's Harper Green School last month and so impressed the programme's organisers that they promoted him to a Lead Ambassador. This means he will handle future presentations without the need for supervision and will be responsible for supporting other ambassadors.

His next presentation will be to teachers at Moorside High School, Swinton on Tuesday January 20th when he will provide them with insights into his apprenticeship experience and personal development at Pennine Telecom.

Howarth joined Pennine in 2012 after the company was approached by Bury College which is the company's main training provider and source of the majority of its apprentices.

Since then he has secured an NVQ Level 2 qualification in Customer Service, is now pursuing a Level 3 in Business Administration and plans to progress to Level 4 in the New Year. He hopes his first-hand experience will help convince students to include apprenticeships among their options when leaving school.

"I would have no hesitation in recommending apprenticeships to school leavers because I know their real value from my own experience. It's been a massive help to me," he said.

"There is so much more choice now, they're not just about training to become a plumber or electrician. You can also train right up to Level 6, equivalent to a foundation degree course, whilst gaining real work experience which employers really value."

He added that his ongoing apprenticeship at Pennine is equipping him not just with specific skills but a wider knowledge of how the business operates.

"I started in what's called the Service Control department, learning about delivery of maintenance and support services. I then moved across to the Sales Support team where I'm working alongside the Sales team and responsible for provisioning mobiles, billing, processing orders and liaising with customers.

"I've learned so much from being hands-on, receiving training on specific products such as mobile devices and even visiting Vodafone's HQ in Newbury."

Cisco is to invest 200,000 euros with Asystec, an Irish data analytics and data management solutions company in a Big Data joint venture focused on the Internet of Everything (IoT).

Privately owned Asystec has positioned itself as a data analytics provider in Ireland and the UK, and says it has a line-up of global brands and multinationals as clients.

The company has invested in a data analytics 'innovation labs' to meet the demand for data management solutions in the Ireland and UK market.

This joint venture sees Asystec deliver its expertise in data analytics while Cisco delivers infrastructure and expertise to provide a complete Big Data solution.

Asystec CEO Les Byrne said: "When it comes to data analytics you need a number of components to make it deliver. You have to form alliances, and Cisco was an easy choice because in terms of direction we are aligned with its future vision."

As well as the financial investment by Cisco, Asystec will be investing in the venture in terms of HR, marketing and training at the recently launched 'Innovation labs' at Asystec offices in Belfast, Dublin, Limerick and Cork.

Adam Grennan, Cisco Ireland Manager, said: "We are rapidly beginning to experience the Internet of Everything. With each new person, process, piece of data, or thing that comes online, the connection possibilities between all these elements grows exponentially.

And yet, it's not the act of getting connected, or even the number of connections, that creates the value. Rather, it's the outcomes the connections make possible.

"The rise of Big Data represents an incredible opportunity for those who are able to create the processes needed to extract the value and act upon it.

"Asystec, in collaboration with Cisco, provides the right combination to help businesses deliver new capabilities, richer experiences, and unprecedented returns."

The joint venture will be rolled out over the coming 12 months.

UK-based cloud services provider infiniserv has enhanced its platform with hardware upgrades, greater network performance and a new control and management interface.

infiniserv offers users the choice of fixed price VPS or scalable On-Demand hourly consumption.

infiniserv, billed as a high performance IaaS cloud solutions provider, focused on delivering solutions with developers in mind, selecting carrier grade hardware and now featuring OnApp cloud management software.

OnApp is designed for the Wholesale and Service Provider community, making it suitable for integration by infiniserv, as all hardware platforms are deployed in UK data centre locations.

In addition to the introduction of OnApp, infiniserv has invested in an increased estate of compute nodes which are connected to its Juniper fabric, providing direct connections up to 100Gbps from data centres across the UK.

"infiniserv developers have worked tirelessly on an improved design of the entire solution, where we have improved the hardware, software and management interfaces," said a spokesperson.

"The upgraded version of infiniserv has been launched at a time where cloud computing is ever more important across the globe and continues to be the most logical choice for developers."

Exclusive Networks has expanded its services portfolio with a new financing and leasing division, called Exclusive Capital, launched on the back of the Group's acquisition of Fibail System. Exclusive veteran Franck Laga has been appointed as the unit's new MD.

"The launch of the new division strikes at the heart of one of the enterprise IT channel's greatest challenges," said Olivier Breittmayer, CEO of Exclusive Networks Group.

"With new, easy to use value added services available from Exclusive Capital, resellers can embrace the opex-orientated, subscription-based IT consumption demands of their customers, while at the same time allowing IT vendors to recognise the full contract value of the deal."

Initially operating from France, further acquisitions will fuel the geographic expansion of Exclusive Capital in the coming months, pointed out Breittmayer.

"To support the 'as a service' business model while maintaining upfront cash collection, we wanted control over our own financing operation to make the process quick, easy and totally seamless," he added.

"We've been listening to our vendor and reseller partners, and developed this new strategy to address a growing market need rooted in the seismic changes happening to how enterprises consume IT.

"Fibail System is a successful business with great relationships with major French banks. These are early days for Exclusive Capital, but it will soon be making a significant contribution to our business as we target 1bn euro total revenues by 2017."