Comms Dealer

SpliceCom has unwrapped MAP, its MultiApp Platform for small and medium sized business offering single and multisite IP PBX supporting <500 users on a single platform.

"MAP eliminates the Platform Tax imposed on customers by other vendors who have 'bought in' Call Recording, Call Management, Wallboards/Dashboard systems or Smartphone support on separate PCs or Servers," stated Robin Hayman, SpliceCom's Director of Marketing & Product Management.

"MAP's use of SSL technology for smartphones and the remote workforce also drastically reduces the VPN network overhead incurred by other vendors offerings.

"This designed-in rather than bought-in approach to product development and technology implementation substantially reduces capital costs for resellers and end users, so reducing real total cost of ownership (TCO) for SpliceCom's customers."

Nimans has launched a bundle offer combining a new BT conferencing unit with a smartstation docking solution that turns an iPhone into a desktop business handset.

To mark an exclusive supply partnership of BT's X500 audio conferencing device resellers will automatically receive a free iFusion docking solution.

Ian Brindle, Nimans' Head of Conferencing Sales, said: "The X500 is an out-of-the-box complete conferencing solution. The wireless microphones add a dynamic dimension to any conference call ensuring all parties can easily be heard. They sit neatly within the unit when not in use as part of a compact, user friendly and easy to use overall design."

A 25% drop in high-end storage spending meant that external disk storage and total disk storage sales respectively fell 5.2% and 6.9% yr/yr in Q1, says IDC.

IBM was a big loser, probably to cloud storage as the high end of the market dropped.

"The poor results of the first quarter were driven by several factors, the most important of which was a -25% decline in high-end storage spending," said Eric Sheppard, Research Director, IDC Storage.

"Other important contributors to the market decline include the mainstream adoption of storage optimisation technologies, a general trend towards keeping systems longer, economic uncertainty, and the ability of customers to address capacity needs on a micro and short-term basis through public cloud offerings."

Those figures follow Q4 growth rates of 2.4% and 1.3%. Market leader EMC, which depends heavily on its high-end Symmetrix line, saw its external share fall 110 bps yr/yr to 29.1%, and its total share fall 50 bps to 22.4%.

EMC previously reported that its high-end sales fell 22% in Q1; strong flash/scale-out storage sales partly offset the drop. NetApp's low high-end exposure allowed its shares to grow 30 bps and 50 bps to 15.1% and 11.7%, in spite of a 2.8% revenue drop. HP's external share rose 40 bps to 8.8% (through its brand 3PAR's strength), but its total share fell 20 bps to 15.1% (mainly on server weakness).

Things still look bleak for IBM, which reported a 23% yr/yr Q1 system storage revenue drop: Its external share fell 200 bps to 8.8%, and its total share 180 bps to 10.1%.The total disk share of non-top-5 vendors rose 370 bps to 28.8%.

Chalk that up to both surging demand for cloud storage (getting cheaper by the quarter) running on commodity hardware, and momentum for flash/hybrid storage upstarts such as Nimble and Nutanix.

Aspect Software is the first contact centre focused company to join the Cloud Industry Forum (CIF).

Mark King, Senior VP Europe & Africa at Aspect Software, stated: "As businesses look to progress with cloud-based technology it is important that the industry adheres to guidelines and rules in order to educate users and create a better and safer cloud for everyone, all of which the Cloud Industry Forum provides."

Alex Hilton, CEO of the Cloud Industry Forum, added: "Aspect is the first organisation from the to become a CIF member, and hopefully the example it sets will provide a platform for others in the industry to join as well.

"Aspect is an enabler for a truly agile business operation and the commercial exploitation knows no limit at this time, with strategies such as omni-channel aiding the way people collaborate and operate."

Partner demand for knowledge about Ethernet services has prompted Entanet to produce an eBook that explains how resellers can effectively approach the whole business of offering and delivering Ethernet services to customers.

"The eBook explains, in simple language and without getting bogged-down in technicalities, what drives an Ethernet sale, how it's provisioned, what takes place during installation and how Entanet provides ongoing technical assistance and customer support to its partners and their end-user customers," said Darren Farnden, Head of Marketing at Entanet.

"It also includes an FAQ (frequently asked questions) section that answers any queries that might still remain unanswered by the main eBook content."

Farnden also noted that the level of interest in Entanet's leased line, GEA and EFM services has 'sky-rocketed' over the past 18 months.

"While Ethernet isn't new, there are many different options available now and resellers need to be able to explain those differences and interpret what they mean for customers in business terms," he added.

"They also need to know exactly how services are provisioned, installed and supported - and how we will support them through that process. We think it's important in setting customers' expectations. The new eBook provides the answers to all these questions."

Click here to view Entanet's latest eBook

Bromsgrove-based Armstrong Bell has provided Dudley Zoological Gardens with a new automated comms system, offering outbound and cross-site communication and cutting the amount of time staff spend handling telephone enquiries by directing callers to the correct department or by providing them with pre-recorded information.

In addition to call-handling, Armstrong Bell has integrated the telephone system with the zoo's public address system, allowing it to control announcements across the 40-acre site to keep visitors informed of activities and events that they may wish to visit.

Will Copley, managing director at Armstrong Bell, said: "The size and complexity of the site posed some challenges that our engineers overcame, including a fear of snakes and integrating the system with the zoo's existing network and public address system.

"Our work doesn't end here. We're now providing Dudley Zoological Gardens with our bespoke maintenance package, meaning we're on call when they need us.

"It is a much sought-after, flagship site for local communications companies and we are pleased to have added it to our client list."

Leeds-based IT reseller and managed services provider Pure Data Solutions has reported a 30 per cent rise in annual turnover to £14.2m, up from £10.9m a year earlier and up £4.1m on three years ago.

In a year-end statement (end of May) the firm also noted that it added almost 200 new customers (making its total of active clients more than 1,000) and recruited seven additional staff, taking its team to more than 40, during 2013-14.

Pure Data Solutions, based in Farsley, remains on course to achieve its target of £20m turnover by the end of April 2015.

The company aims to increase its headcount by 15 per cent and achieve its expansion targets through organic growth in its key areas of consulting, supplying, installing and support services, plus acquisitions of companies specialising in areas such as technical, managed, professional services and IT support.

Steve O'Brien, MD, said: "We're not just signing up additional customers, but our clients are spending more with us too.

"It's an old cliché to say people are a company's greatest asset but here that's unquestionably true.

"Our approach is to recruit the best talent available, provide the right working environment, supply training and development where it's needed and reward people as well as possible for delivering excellent performances.

"By that we mean doing whatever it takes to save our customers time and money on their IT procurement, while demonstrating our core values of honesty, quality and service.

"That's an approach which continues to serve us very well, given that we're maintaining our rapid growth in a difficult and competitive market."

8x8 Solutions (the UK/European arm of 8x8 Inc) is on the hunt for new UK channel partners wanting to capitalise on growing demand for cloud-based unified communications, contact centre and collaboration solutions.

"Following our acquisition by 8x8 we are investing in a recruiting programme to grow our channel team," said Charles Aylwin, Director, Channel and Public Sector for 8x8 Solutions.

"As well as looking for partners with an established pedigree in the voice space, we are also keen to talk to partners who have yet to look closely at the significant revenue streams available from cloud-based communications."

8x8 is hosting two channel recruitment days on Wed 11 June and Wed 18 June at the Williams F1 Conference Centre in Oxfordshire which will include a tour of the Williams Grand Prix collection. The dates of additional channel recruitment days will be announced shortly.

"Our channel partners can increase their revenues through the delivery of hosted business telephony systems that allow businesses of all sizes across all sectors, to take advantage of the benefits of cloud-based communications," explained Aylwin.

"Our training gives them the knowledge and expertise to help them close every potential sales opportunity and that's a win-win situation for everyone.

"VoIP and unified communications (UC) services are forecast by Infonetics Research, to grow from $68 billion to $88 billion by 2018. By increasing our channel partner base we are ensuring that both 8x8 and its partners successfully capture a slice of this growing revenue pie!"

Premier Business Audio and ITS Technology Group (ITS) have joined forces to combine marketing expertise with unified communication and IT platforms.

As an audio marketing provider, Premier works with more than 3,500 customers across the UK and Europe, including FTSE 100 companies such as BT, Barclays and Sainsbury's.

Roy Shelton, ITS Technology Group CEO, said: "With our combined skillset and solution offering, the potential to add significant value to our combined client basis is compelling."

Nick Findlay, MD at Premier Business Audio, added: "This partnership adds up to more than the sum of the parts. With a telecommunications specialist and a marketing and branding agency working closely together, we are going to have some great sounding and highly efficient joint clients."

Exeter-based IP Office has netted 300-plus customer contracts from failed telco The Bush Telegraph Company after it went into voluntary liquidation on May 28th.

IP Office has taken control of servicing Truro-based Bush Telegraph Company's complete customer base which includes the likes of Truro College, the Diocese of Truro, Truro High School, Taylors of Grampound and Lanner Primary School.

Mark Collett, MD IP Office, said: "The first thing customers will notice is that their service will be enhanced. Bush Telegraph was a substantially smaller company running 9am-5pm and customers would not see anyone on a year-to-year basis unless they had a problem.

"We are three times the size and their customers will now get our 24-7 cover and be able to contact us at any time. They will still be ringing the Bush telephone number but now get our service.

"In addition, we are proactive in account management with a post-sale team and qualified engineers. We will be visiting customers personally to let them know what is happening, and who to call for support. We will talk about how we can help develop their business and they will see much more account management.

"We are delighted to also be taking on Bush Telegraph Company's three existing engineers so the same engineer will be maintaining their systems."

IP Office has 35 staff and an annual turn over of £4million.