Comms Dealer

Nimans has strengthened its working relationship with Doro by becoming the official sole distributor of the AUB 200 and 300i business models.

Nimans' Purchasing Director, Andy Winfield, says the business phones are firm industry favourites, renowned for their reliability and robust no nonsense performance.

"This new agreement is another example of how there's plenty of life left in the traditional handset market despite a perception in some quarters that it's dramatically slowing down," he said.

"The new deal represents a significant step forward in a long standing and productive partnership between Nimans and Doro and our continued confidence in this area of the market."

A series of webinars hosted by Exertis Micro-P, Samsung and guest management systems specialist TigerTMS will educate resellers on how Samsung's OfficeServ Hospitality helps the hospitality industry run more efficiently, offering resellers an opportunity to check-in to this lucrative sector.

The initial webinars are scheduled for Friday 16th May and Monday 19th May and will detail how OfficeServ Hospitality can automatically handle end user reservations and telephone call management, providing efficiencies for the front-of-house teams.

There are facilities to allow guests to express check in if required and the application supports single or multiple languages to provide international travellers to use the product simply and efficiently.

In addition, telephone rates and tariffs can be configured easily to meet revenue income requirements and the product suite can encompass Point of Sale (POS) systems, internet metering systems, non-room bookings (e.g. Spa treatments) as well as reporting on guest history, room usage and a whole suite of reports required by the hospitality industry.

John Bird, Head of Systems and Support Services at Exertis Micro-P, said: "Hospitality products are perceived to be a 'black art' and these webinars are designed to update the channel as to the capabilities of the product and allow resellers to quote, with confidence, solutions for the Hospitality vertical market."

To register for a webinar please email comms.samsung@exertismicro-p.co.uk

Basingstoke-based Southern Communications has scooped the NEC Best EMEA Reseller Award for the second consecutive year at the 2014 NEC EMEA Partner conference held in Cape Town (23-26 April).

The conference was attended by NEC's major distributors and key business partners from 135 partner organisations across the region and top performing business partners were awarded in recognition of mutual commitment and business success.

Directors Andrew Robinson and Simon Campbell were at the conference to receive the award for Southern Communications, a NEC Premier Partner.

"Winning this award for the second consecutive year is a fantastic achievement and demonstrates the continued focus, commitment and capability of Southern Communications," said Paul Bradford, CEO of Southern Communications.

"We have shown an exceptional growth over the past two years and recently celebrated the appointment of Mathew Kirk, previously a Director at TalkTalk, to the Board.

"It is a great honour and privilege to receive this award for the second consecutive year. This is fantastic recognition for all our staff who have worked conscientiously to deliver outstanding service to all of our customers. It is a great achievement for a company our size to beat organisations across 40 countries and scoop this prize."

Data blending and advanced analytics firm Alteryx has secured a European foothold having established a UK and key partners.

With the analytics power shift, the company expects a growing demand for its analytics software products.

"This is an exciting time in the analytics space and companies need to move quickly to realise the full benefits of this massive analytics power shift. 

"The shifting market dynamics and new requirements have created a spike in European demand, so with our analytics power shift event, Alteryx is officially launching our UK and European presence to address these needs," said Stuart Wilson, regional vice president, Alteryx UK.

Alteryx already has a strong presence in the UK via its key partners, with over 100 current customers that include clients across retail and grocery, property, banking, consumer goods, energy, media and marketing services, it says.

Telenor Group has reported Q1 revenues of NOK 26.5bn (€3.2bn), representing an organic revenue growth of 1.5%. EBITDA before other items was NOK 9.3bn (€1.12bn), the EBITDA margin was 35% and operating cash flow was NOK 5.6 bn (€670m).

"I am pleased to present a solid start to the year. We added 6 million new mobile subscribers in the first quarter of 2014, the company's best customer surge in two years. This growth was mainly driven by India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The underlying mobile service revenue growth improved to 5% in the quarter,'' said Jon Fredrik Baksaas, President and CEO of Telenor Group.

"In Norway, our growth and efficiency initiatives continue to be a top priority. We see rising demand for larger data packages, which resulted in improved mobile revenue growth of more than 3 percent in the quarter. Competitive pressure and declining revenues from traditional fixed telephony require us to focus on streamlining our operations and investments. At the same time, Telenor is implementing a major technology shift with an annual investment of more than NOK 4 billion," said Baksaas.

"The migration of customers to our new 3G network in Thailand is on track, with some 60% transferred. The move from a concession to a licence regime is already contributing to significant regulatory cost savings. The slow-down in revenue growth is explained by reduced interconnect rates, lower voice prices and the recent weakness in the Thai economy," said Baksaas.

"Mobile data represents the next growth curve for Telenor. We are persistently working to increase the number of active internet subscribers across all our markets. Out of our total customer base of 172 million subscribers, some 20% are currently active internet users, representing a large growth potential. While Telenor recently secured new spectrum in India and Pakistan, our business in Bangladesh, significantly improved its 3G coverage during the first three months of the year. Our Indian operation reported an organic revenue growth of 44 percent in the quarter, gaining significant market share. We also launched a new internet strategy in India, focusing on affordable and service-based internet offers," said Baksaas.

"In conclusion, we had an encouraging start to the year. Our efficiency agenda is progressing, while we continue to work on bringing affordable internet to all and connecting the unconnected. However, we need to see continued improvement in all our markets, in particular a pick-up in revenues in Thailand and improved returns on the significant investments in Norway," said Baksaas.

A GP surgery in Dumfries is the third in Scotland to install an automated telephone appointment booking system developed by Voice Connect to help patient communication and reduce missed appointments which cost the health service millions of pounds each year.

The service, known as Patient Partner, enables patients to call the practice at any time, night or day, even when the surgery is closed, to check, book or cancel their appointments.

The system has been designed to be simple to use. Patients call the surgery's usual number and enter data such as their date of birth and/or telephone number for security purposes. The system is able to detect spaces in the doctors' and clinic diaries and the patient can then choose the appointment time which suits them best by pressing a button on their touch tone telephone. They can also use the system to cancel or re-arrange appointments 24/7.

"Patients may continue to book appointments via a receptionist," said Michele Postans, Practice Manager at Greyfriars. "However, by providing a round the clock service, we can offer greater flexibility for all our patients, including those who work unsociable hours. We also believe that it will free up valuable time for our receptionists to attend to patient care."

A study by psychologists at the University of Glasgow estimated that missed appointments (DNAs) at UK GP practices and hospitals cost the health service around £600 million a year.

They concluded that the most common day for missed appointments was Monday while other surveys have found that younger patients were most likely to fail to attend.

One of the ways that Patient Partner helps reduce DNAs is by sending automated text message appointment reminders.

Voice Connect MD Stefan Olsberg believes that the system is an important step towards improving access, and ultimately, patient care.

He said: "Getting through to their surgery is a priority for patients across the UK, and while online booking has helped to ease call congestion, many people still prefer to use an automated telephone system, which doesn't require passwords or usernames - all patients need is their date of birth."

Peach Telecom has been chosen by the Chichester Chamber of Commerce and Industry to be the primary telecommunications provider of all Chamber members.

As of 2nd June 2014, Peach will be the official partner of the Chamber, working with the business organisation to provide telecommunications equipment and services for all members.

Using the buying power of the membership network, Peach will be able to provide Chamber members with telephone systems, landline and call packages, mobile solutions, as well as broadband and fibre connectivity.

Peach CEO Darren Scott-Healey said: "We will be helping local businesses to grow by improving the efficiency of their telecommunications equipment.

"Peach will essentially regard all Chamber members as one company, allowing even the smallest of businesses to benefit from lower rates which would normally only be available to larger companies with high numbers of telecom users."

The service will be provided under the name Chamber Communications. Chamber Business Development Manager, Julie Harrison, commented: "We are pleased to partner with Peach because we will be able to offer our members yet another benefit.

"They will have their telecommunications needs sorted which will give them time to concentrate on what they do best - running their own business."

Custom Connect, a global managed service provider of carrier neutral and microwave connectivity services, has announced the appointment of Anthony Kingsnorth as Group Chief Operating Officer.

Kingsnorth will lead Custom Connect's global operations across its entire service portfolio, which includes fibre and microwave access solutions, ultra-low latency networking for trading and financial services, connectivity for media and e-commerce organisations, cloud and data centre services, and any emerging opportunities in new markets.

He will also be involved in the definition of the Group's overall business strategy as well as the development of its existing product and managed services offering. Anthony will sit on the Group Executive Committee and will be based in the company's London office.

"We are delighted to have Anthony join Custom Connect," said Jan Willem Meijer, CEO and Co-Owner of Custom Connect. "Anthony has a phenomenal pedigree combined with industry-wide respect and we have no doubt that his expertise in technology and managed services within financial services will be of tremendous value to Custom Connect, our customers and our partners globally."

Kingsnorth worked for a number of investment banks before moving to Fixnetix, a global provider of front office outsourcing solutions, where he served as Chief Operating Officer for Fixnetix and built the company's managed services proposition. Prior to that he worked at ING Barings, JPMorgan Chase and Lehman Brothers, where he led the EMEA Production Services team.

Kingsnorth added: "Joining Custom Connect is tremendously exciting, especially at a time of such phenomenal growth. Having worked with Custom Connect directly, I have experienced first hand the professionalism, level of focus and clear strategy centred around its market leading solutions and customer service. I intend to take this core belief to help develop the company and to implement this mentality across new service offerings as we continue to expand globally."

Hats off to Manchester-based ICT provider Calyx which raised over £2,200 in aid of Francis House.

As well as supporting Key103's Cash for Kids Day in aid of the children's hospice, it also held a charity auction and made a world record attempt.

Francis House is Calyx's chosen charity and the company has raised and donated over £4,000 to date. "Our staff voted on which charity to support and Francis House was a firm favourite - and since then we've all become passionate supporters," said Steve Clark, Calyx CEO (pictured wearing the pink pants).

In a world record attempt Calyx employees joined with customers, suppliers and co-workers to create what they hope was the largest ever 'Oops upside your head' dance. Details are currently with Guinness for verification.

Content Guru's sister company Bracknell-based Redwood Technologies welcomed His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex to its UK headquarters.

The Earl, youngest son of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and best known as Prince Edward, visited Radius Court as part of his 50th birthday tour of the historical Saxon Kingdom of Wessex.

Organisations from business, academia and the voluntary sector, representing the finest attributes of the Wessex region, were put forward by Local Government, with Redwood being nominated by Bracknell Forest Borough, in which the company has been based since its foundation in 1993. Radius Court, purchased in 2013, is Redwood's fifth home in the Borough.

The Royal Visit witnessed a double coming-of-age, with Redwood celebrating its 21st anniversary within days of The Earl marking his own half-century. The occasion also provided an opportunity to celebrate the success of Content Guru, as a fast-growing pioneer of cloud communications.

The Earl was accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant for Berkshire, the Honourable Mrs Bayliss JP, and civic dignitaries including the Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bracknell.

The Earl was welcomed by Redwood founders Sean Taylor and Martin Taylor. After meeting with the company's senior team, The Earl was escorted to Radius Court's Customer Experience Centre for an insight into Redwood's Big Communications technology. From there the party moved to the Network Operations Centre, where live services were inspected on the centre's newly-installed wall screen.

The Earl then toured Redwood's offices, meeting with departments ranging from project management and applications engineering, through research & development and technical writing, to sales & marketing, finance and administration.

The Royal Visit concluded with the ceremonial cutting of two specially-commissioned commemorative cakes to mark the double milestone.

Redwood Director, Martin Taylor, commented: "We are thrilled to have been selected to welcome His Royal Highness to the heart of Europe's tech industry in the Thames Valley. The Earl showed his keen interest in high technology and communications, and the whole team were delighted to give him an understanding of their work."

Redwood Managing Director, Sean Taylor, added: "I am delighted His Royal Highness made an important milestone for Redwood even more memorable. It was lovely to link historical Wessex with the modern heart of Tech Valley and a real honour for our business."