Comms Dealer

The Cloud Industry Forum (CIF) has signed a formal Partnership Agreement with the Data Centre Alliance (DCA), the not-for-profit industry association comprising of experts from across the data centre sector.

Under the terms of the agreement both organisations will establish a reciprocal, non-exclusive alliance partnership to encourage best practice within the Cloud Service Provider sector, as well as educating end user organisations on all cloud computing issues.

The DCA is an industry association comprising of a number of key experts in the data centre industry, be that as an individual or a commercial organisation. The DCA itself represents the industry to the business community, the media, government and the general public.

Simon Campbell-Whyte, Executive Director, DCA, said: "The widespread adoption of cloud computing has highlighted the need for a common standard that ensures transparency, capability and accountability amongst both cloud service providers and data centres - secure and efficient cloud infrastructures depend on an approach that addresses every layer.

"We believe that our collaboration with CIF and its Code of Practice will really bring these into play and will contribute heavily to the development of a credible and thriving IT industry."

Alex Hilton, CEO of CIF, added: "The DCA is a well established industry association not only here in the UK but increasingly across all member states of the EU, and in recent years has played an integral role in evolving the data centre industry to where it is today.

"Its members work together across a variety of product and service sectors to develop and improve the data centre sector's adoption of best practices and standards that are needed to underpin the future of cloud computing.

"In partnership, we will strive to expand the Code of Practice's market reach and continue to educate and champion the cloud to drive transparency across the industry."

Professor Dennis F Kehoe, CEO AIMES Grid Services and DCA Board Member, added: "The data centre is increasingly being seen as a critical component in the cloud "stack" in terms of resiliency, security, governance and cost base.

"This important new partnership between the Cloud Industry Forum and the Data Centre Alliance reflects the convergence towards XaaS (everything-as-a-service) and represents a significant step forward in the evolution of the digital infrastructure industry."

The partnership will see a number of initiatives between the two organisations including collaboration in the key areas of lobbying and market education, the development and sharing of joint research findings and the promotion of mutual membership.

The retirement of Microsoft's Exchange 2003 Server, the popular software that provides email, calendar, and contacts to businesses, creates a dilemma for its users, according to Giacom, the company behind MessageStream.

"This discontinuation brings the issue of migrating to the cloud or not to the fore," stated Giacom MD Nick Marshall.

"It also brings into focus an easier way to stay up-to-date with the latest server technology, and reminds us yet again that businesses are moving to the cloud for Exchange and that they're doing it quickly."

Marshall cited figures from the Cloud Industry Forum (CIF) that point to a 27% increase in the number of first-time cloud computing user over the last 18 months. CIF also estimates that over 75% of UK businesses are using at least one cloud service formally and that 80% of current cloud users have increased their spending in this area.

"With this in mind, now is the perfect time for IT support companies to be selling cloud services such as Hosted Exchange 2013 to businesses as a successor to on-site Exchange 2003 or Microsoft's Small Business Server," urged Marshall.

"It's been amazing to see the change in the IT infrastructure for businesses since we entered the market more than 15 years ago.

"Now more than ever, businesses are recognising the need to move to the cloud. By doing so, they're making their business much more efficient while cost-effectively revolutionising their communications."

MessageStream delivers cloud-based IT solutions to over 2,000 IT support companies in the UK and Europe.

French integrator Sopra and European developer Steria have agreed on a merger which will create a major player with a combined revenue of €3.1bn and operations in 24 countries, employing 35,000 in Europe and Asia.

In terms of business activities and geographic segments, the fit between the two entities gives it a large organisation in France from Sopra with experience in banking, human resources and real estate products and its effective application management  model.

For its part, Steria brings its international reach (Europe and Asia) with a position in the United Kingdom, a pertinent offering in Business Process Services and its expertise in IT infrastructure management.

Industrial-scale production capacity would be significantly reinforced with an array of offshore and nearshore service centres representing a workforce of approximately 8,000 people, including over 6,000 in India.

Reinforcing competitive positioning and the complementary fit of offerings and geographic locations could lead to faster revenue growth, it says.

For example, Sopra would be able to benefit from the European positions of Steria to accelerate the commercialisation and rollout of its software solutions; for its part, Steria would be able to leverage Sopra's offshore capacity in India for its French clients.

The proposed tie-up should also generate annual operational cost synergies of €62m commencing in 2017. The transaction is expected to have a neutral effect on basic earnings per share in 2015 and be strongly earnings enhancing as of 2016.

The ambition is to form a group that is capable of generating strong organic growth with the objective of achieving revenue of over €4bn and progressively improve the operating margin on business activity to approach the 10% mark.

Nimans has become the official distributor of a docking solution that turns an iPhone into a desktop business handset.

The iFusion solution features Bluetooth technology and integrates with all SIP voice applications such as Cisco, Skype and Avaya.

Group Sales and Business Development Manager, Richard Carter, says the high performance device features charging and syncing functionality.

"Research from iFusion indicates 70% of iPhones are used for business, regardless of who owns the device - and iFusion instantly transforms an iPhone into a desktop business phone - adding a new dimension to mobile and office-based communications."

A new report from Juniper Research has found that the value of global payments via mobile devices will reach around $507 billion this year, a rise of nearly 40% year-on-year.

The report - Mobile Payment Strategies: Remote, Contactless & Money Transfer 2014-2018 - found that growth would continue to be driven by purchases of physical goods via mobile devices. Average transaction sizes over tablets are already exceeding those via desktop PCs in many markets.

It also observed that while spend via smartphones was increasing sharply, their primary function in retail was as search and discovery devices with the final purchase being made on the tablet.

Meanwhile, it argued that the scale of digital transactions was receiving a significant boost through the adoption of mobile ticketing applications, with metro and transit authorities in Europe and North America, that have already deployed services, experiencing high levels of adoption.

However, the report observed that progress in contactless mobile payments had been slow, with few commercial launches. Nevertheless, it argued that the prognosis for the medium term was brighter, following the emergence of cloud-based SE (Secure Element) solutions which offer the opportunity for reduced time-to-market for NFC (Near Field Communications) solutions.

According to report author Dr Windsor Holden: "The prevalent business models for NFC have been unattractive to banks and left them dependent on multiple network operators, each of which may have its own approach to mobile wallet management. HCE (Host Card Emulation) solutions have the potential to revitalise a market which has struggled to gain traction."

TFM Networks has strengthened its internal structure with key leadership hires, a redoubled sales team and more expansive office space at its Aylesbury HQ ahead of an energised growth push.

The move follows the company's acquisition of managed IT services provider Waveworks in 2013 and coincides with the formation of the TFM Group which will see TFM Networks operating alongside Waveworks as a brand of the Group.

Non Executive board member Alison Greensmith has been drafted in as Group Sales and Marketing Director while Tim Metcalfe joins as Group Finance Director, Rob Stevens as Director of Customer Services and Keith Harvey becomes Head of Sales, Partners and Channel.

TFM Networks CEO Stewart Yates said: "We have ambitious plans for further growth. In addition to investing heavily in new product and solution development, it is essential we also make significant investment in our people to ensure we have the specialist skills and experience to provide our partners with the support their businesses need."

The new starters bring industry experience to their new roles with Greensmith having operated for than 20 years in sales and sales management roles.

Metcalfe, a chartered accountant, joins after performing a series of interim advisory roles which followed his tenure as Finance Director for Cranberry Foods.

With 15 years experience in the ISP and IT support service industry under his belt Stevens' new remit is to strengthen service and customer relations across the TFM Goup.

And channel head Harvey has been operating in the comms space for 20-plus years including several Siemens PLC Business Unit Board Level positions.

Unify has appointed Daniel W. Papes to lead the company's global direct sales organisation.

As Executive Vice President of Global Sales, Papes will report to CEO Dean Douglas effective immediately.

Douglas said: "Dan brings to Unify strong experience in global enterprise sales, understands how to build long-term relationships with customers, and will create consistent global approaches for our direct sales operations - all of which will help drive our growth ambitions."

Papes comes to Unify with more than 25 years of IT industry sales and services experience, including a long career at IBM where he served as Vice President of Sales for Cloud Services, Vice President of Global Telecommunications Industry Sales, and General Manager of the Mobile Enterprise Services business unit, among several other roles.

Most recently, Papes served as Senior Vice President of Global Cloud and Data Centre Services at the Westcon Group, a value-added distributor of unified communications, networking, data center, and security solutions and services.

He added: "I'm highly motivated to begin my work transforming our global sales organisation into an engine for the company's growth, and further deepen our relationships with direct accounts globally."

Since he took over as CEO, Douglas has recruited strong, experienced executives to the company.

Papes joins new leaders including Jon Pritchard, EVP of Worldwide Channels; Steve Shank, General Manager of North America; and Bill Hurley, Chief Marketing Officer.

In a trading update this morning ahead of entering the close period for its preliminary results Daisy Group confirmed that revenues and adjusted EBITDA are expected to be in line with market expectations for the year ended 31 March 2014.
 
There has been a material improvement in cash generation in the second half of the year aided by a significant improvement in working capital versus the first half, stated the company.
 
Matthew Riley, Chief Executive Officer of Daisy Group plc said: "I am pleased to report that our revenue mix continues to improve, further boosted by the acquisitions made during the year. It is also pleasing to report a marked improvement in free cash flow generation during the second half. 
 
"Our recent acquisitions are performing well and we will continue to monitor acquisition opportunities where we believe we can derive clear value for our shareholders."
 

PSU Technology Group has secured a contract to supply, install and maintain an IP-enabled communications solution for Morrison Utility Services, a UK utility service provider.

The platform will be based at Morrison Utility Services' new headquarters and will link communications between its 90 nationwide offices and depots.

Plans for the new solution, based on Mitel 3300 technology, include integration of the Mitel MiCollab Client for full desktop and Microsoft Outlook integration, presence and instant messaging, voice, video calling and web conferencing.

PSU Technology Group MD Michael Lounton said: "Like many of our clients, Morrison Utility Services recognise the productivity gains that unified communications solutions can achieve."

UC provider Olive has launched the Olive Academy staff training programme as part of its investment in the personal and professional development of its workforce.

Over the next 12 months, all Olive's 160 staff will attend bespoke training sessions delivered by leading skills development company Space2. It has worked with Olive to devise 32 different learning modules, tailored to suit different business functions within Olive.

Olive Chief Executive Martin Flick said: "We recognise that the success of Olive, and our ability to provide the highest levels of customer service, relies on the success and skills of our people.

"We believe the training will also inspire and reinforce a real sense of togetherness within the business, as well as supporting personal development."

"This isn't a 'one size fits all' approach either, as much like our customers, everyone within Olive is different. That's why they all have their own individually structured training programme that will enable them to grow in their roles and develop new skills, and help them build their career."

The launch of the Olive Academy coincides with Olive bolstering its HR function, with the arrival of a new Olive HR Manager Nick Evans, who joins after seven years at online retailer Shop Direct in a similar role.

Evans commented: "Joining Olive is an exciting move for me with the huge appeal of a rapidly expanding and ambitious environment to work within. I want to make both a personal and professional impact at Olive and work with the team here to help the business reach its long-term objectives."