Comms Dealer

Exertis has expanded its Samsung voice solutions portfolio with the colour screen SMT-i5343 IP handset, incorporating NFC, Bluetooth and Wireless technologies as well as supporting gigabit hard wired IP connectivity and an optional 1.3 mega pixel camera.

John Bird, Head of Systems and Support Services at Exertis, said: "The handset is supported on both the Samsung OfficeServ and SCMe range of systems and suits the mobile worker particularly well.

"Bluetooth pairing with headset and mobile, Click to dial from your mobile, call move between devices, contact synchronisation and desk-phone control from your mobile device are all new features available with this handset.

"This feature rich IP handset now fully integrates the desk phone into a users' mobile world more than any other solution in the channel."

Channel diversification is the order of the day according to Daisy Distribution following an audit of its partner database.

The mobile airtime provider has profiled its partners to reveal trends in their portfolio development and the analysis found that a growing number of them have entered the UC market with a mix of mobile and fixed line.

So much so that almost a fifth do not consider mobile to be their primary business activity, with 60% offering fixed lines within their core services.

As well as business mobile 89% of partners offered lines and calls, with 51% selling VoIP, and 46% offering telephone systems and maintenance, while 41% offer Microsoft Office 365.

Julien Parven, Marketing Director, said: "We are seeing more and more of our resellers embracing new technologies and strengthening their portfolios with additional services. Channel diversification is on the rise and shows no signs of stopping."

The database analysis has also proved useful as a marker for partners who have the potential to adopt and implement UC solutions such as Office 365 and Vodafone One Net Business.

Based on its data the distributor will create programmes to help partners identify opportunities within their bases, including marketing tools and support.

The profile of a reseller's Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy is playing a bigger role in buyer decision making, believes Darren Farnden, Head of Marketing at Entanet.

"According to the UK Small Business Consortium almost nine out of ten consumers are more likely to buy from a company that supports and engages in activities to improve the environment and contribute to society," he said.
"CSR is a big subject but it is just as important to smaller businesses as it is to large corporations.

"It's not just about multi-nationals ensuring they don't use child labour, becoming carbon neutral or using sustainable resources, it's about managing your reputation and ensuring that you are seen as a company that contributes to the general well being of society, as well as simply providing employment and driving business activity."

In a bid to give resellers a deeper insight into CSR Entanet has published an eBook that outlines the various aspects of CSR and offers advice on how to plan and implement a CSR policy.

"Customers today are well informed," added Farnden. "They can research your business online and social media means that reputations, good and bad, can spread fast. Building a good name can make a real difference."

Resellers looking for a simple margin maker from business mobile solutions should welcome the launch of 'BLAP', a new mobile conferencing App from UK technology start-up Venncomm.

The platform enables call conferences on smart phones across the planet free of charge. Businesses users will simply pay a monthly fee to use the solution and all conference users can participate by downloading the free app.

The solution also records mobile conferences giving invitees who cannot participate the opportunity to retrospectively review the discussion that took place.

Venncomm claims the App brings ease of use, call quality and big cost savings to business leader s that regularly need to engage with groups of colleagues working locally or anywhere in the world.

Founder Lee Stonehouse (pictured)  told Comms Dealer: "Each end leg of a call is local to the App user and uses contract bundled minutes, while calls to non-App users are Least Cost Routed meaning a couple of pence per minute for calling landlines or other mobiles. International calls fall in to the same category with the end legs being local calls and Venncomm bridging in the middle.

"BLAP operates on a monthly subscription meaning monthly recurring revenue for partners and with it being an App it should sit nicely on top of the handset or contract conversation."

From a functionality perspective Venncomm says BLAP Users can create instant or scheduled calls with the BLAP platform automatically dialling call participants at the time of the call. Scheduled calls will also send calendar invites to other BLAP users.

"There is no dial-in required and there are no pins. A 'single touch' is the only thing that's required," added Stonehouse.

BLAP is available on the iTunes store and Google Play with BlackBerry and Windows Phone versions planned for the start of 2015.

Venncomm is offering resellers 15% of revenue subscriptions. To find out more contact Head of Indirect Sales Peter Whiting at peter.w@venncomm.com

AKJ is offering resellers utilising its Affinity billing platform one-to-one personalised 'health checks' to boost efficiency and ensure best practice for all users.

The billing software specialist says its new customer care initiative aims to prevent the complexity and inefficiencies that can develop from business growth and differing customer billing processes.

"Like so much technology and software, many customers simply don't optimise full use of their system to improve operational efficiencies," explained AKJ's specialist trainer Jeannette Goodred.  "This is particularly the case when customers take on new staff who then inherit their old bad habits, thus creating longer and less efficient bill run procedures."

AKJ advises all communication companies using a billing platform to review internal processes regularly to ensure the software and the people operating it are working together as efficiently as possible.

"Maintaining the highest customer care levels is a top priority for AKJ," continued Goodred.

"We are always looking at ways to add tangible value and we know from our long experience as billing software specialists that this is a relevant and hugely beneficial element of our customer service initiative."

The health checks have already been voted a success by Ardencom, a UC solutions provider and Affinity customer.

Director Adam Winwood said: "We find the Billing Health Check sessions hugely successful, as they have opened our eyes to elements of the system we weren't aware of. We are now getting the best out of our billing platform through practical advice on day-to-day housekeeping issues."

Wholesale cloud and network provider Virtual1 has been named for the second year running by The Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100, as one of the fastest growing tech companies in the UK.

Virtual1 was listed at position 37 in the league, which ranks Britain's 100 fastest-growing private tech companies, based on sales over the past three years.

The London-based company achieved sales of over £9m for the year 2013/14 seeing an increase in turnover of almost 450% over the last three years.

Established in 2007 the company has invested heavily in its UK-wide network infrastructure over the last 18 months, with significant expansion in its London fibre network.

Tom O'Hagan, Managing Director, said: "As a wholesale technology company we are committed to helping our partners reap the rewards of our expanded London network, and we continue to drive new markets by providing a range of connectivity solutions."

One of KCOM Group's Trainee Software Engineers, Abbie Harper, has been named a finalist for the Young IT Professional of the Year award at this year's BCS & Computing UK IT Industry Awards.

This award recognises individuals among the young IT community who have demonstrated excellence in their profession in the last 12 months.

The annual event will be held in November at Battersea Park Events Arena in London where the winner of the award will be announced.

Steve Humm, CIO at KCOM Group, said: "Abbie joined our business in October 2013 as part of our graduate scheme and very quickly started adding tangible value.

"Abbie not only has impressive technical skills and competencies, but also a professional and collaborative approach to her work that has made her a role model for our latest set of graduates and other employees.

"We work in an exciting industry and developing solutions is not always straightforward, and Abbie tackles every challenge with infectious enthusiasm and positivity."

Adam Thilthorpe, Director for Professionalism at the Institute, added: "The Chartered Institute for IT would like to congratulate this year's finalists. They showcase not only the innovation and the professionalism of those working in IT, but also demonstrate the importance of IT in delivering business and social benefit."

With the creative industries being the second biggest sector in the UK, generating £70k per minute and 144k jobs per year, Dorset's universities, colleges, businesses and agencies are uniting to host a free conference at Bournemouth's Pavilion on digital careers and opportunities for young people of the county.

On the 7th October 2014, 'Digital Day Bournemouth' will feature a host of acclaimed speakers including Dorset Business Entrepreneur Matt Hawkins of C4L.

Run as part of the national BIMA Digital Day activity which aims to raise awareness of digital careers amongst young people through face-to-face meetings with professionals in the industry as well as capture future digital ideas through competitions.

As the creative and digital industries are growing, increased demand is appearing for people with the technical skills required.

Dorset and neighbouring schools are being invited to bring groups of students, and the event is also open to individuals outside the education system seeking direction into the creative industries.

Andrew Henning, CEO of RedWeb and Chief organiser of Digital Day, said: "We're delighted by the generosity and high profile speakers we have been able to attract. Everyone in the industry is aware of the need for more skills and talent, and this event is a way to try and raise awareness to an age group still to make their career choices."

Simon Mewett, CEO of C4L based in Westbourne, added: "Supporting Digital Day Bournemouth is another community initiative C4L is proud to be a part of, the impact this will have on the local community in regards to giving young people inside and outside of education some direction is fantastic.

"As a successful IT infrastructure company there is a sense of corporate social responsibility to ensure the doors of career into a company like C4L are clear and remain open."

Managed IT Services provider Netshield has expanded its portfolio with the addition of hosted IP Telephony.

The service will include features such as secure instant messaging, presence functionality, video calling, collaboration tools, simple administration and integration of office and mobile services.

Richard Carty, Commercial Director at Netshield, said: "VoIP is ideal for SMEs and remote workers because it has minimal capital expense, easy to manage, user friendly and it is scalable. With traditional systems companies have to deal with a number of suppliers for the upkeep, with VoIP it consolidates which saves a considerable amount of time.

"With the movement towards cloud technology, adding VoIP services will be complementary to our range of Hosted and Managed IT services."

A difference of opinion among MSPs and their customers on factors that influence the managed services market could signify an urgent need to rethink business models, according to research by IT Europa.

The study (sponsored by Webroot) revealed that while channel organisations see such factors as recurring revenue streams, scalability and customer retention as the main drivers, for their clients the crux of the matter is reducing costs and capital expenditure as well as greater flexibility.

The research also highlighted a lucrative role for channels providing they know how to charge for services.

"With falling prices for hosting and cloud services, MSPs need to differentiate in an environment where competition is increasing, and offering their specialisms could help them achieve this," said IT Europa MD Alan Norman.

"Customers lack expertise and skills in making it all work, particularly when linking into legacy systems, so there is a clear role for MSPs to use any vertical market expertise they have to provide an essential service, and charge for it."

The survey also found that clearer propositions are needed and that MSPs need all the help they can get in marketing, tools, integration and to use all the available skills and resources.

"MSPs also told the study that they have concerns about finding the right partners, particularly among vendors, citing quality of support and quality of product as the two main areas they regard as important or very important, especially by smaller MSPs," added Norman.

Concerns were also expressed over enterprise mobility, mainly because of the scale of involvement, pace of change and the integration issues.

The future of Managed Services in EMEA - a channel perspective report, is available free of charge to channel organisations via the IT Europa website: www.iteuropa.com/?q=future-managed-services-emea-channel-perspective

The launch of the report comes ahead of the Managed Services & Hosting Summit 2014, organised by IT Europa and Angel Business Communications, and staged at The Pullman St Pancras Hotel, London, on 25th September 2014 - www.mshsummit.com