Comms Dealer

Siemens Enterprise Communications has released details on Project Ansible, a communications and collaboration platform designed to extend beyond UC to deliver increased business performance through real-time engagement by unifying voice, video, social communications, search, business process applications and other channels into a seamless, immersive, intuitive experience, claims the firm.

Developed over two years in collaboration with frog, a product strategy and design consultancy, Project Ansible is an immersive platform that erases the boundaries separating multiple communication channels and business process applications and integrates them into a 'single pane of glass' providing visibility across a workgroup, an enterprise and the Web at the same time.

With Project Ansible, challenging or time-consuming tasks such as searching for information across multiple sources (e.g. text, email and social channels), conducting live/virtual meetings, or generating transcripts of conference calls becomes as easy as making a phone call, claims the vendor.

"Project Ansible is designed to address core challenges faced by so many organisations today. Enterprises are at the centre of a complex web of interconnected systems that are hard to manage, companies are failing to drive the full value of those investments, and, while communications tools increasingly play a more central role in business the user experience is broken," said Hamid Akhavan, CEO of Siemens Enterprise Communications.

"Our aim is to define a new industry category through aggregation, experience and integration into business processes.  Project Ansible defines a clear path forward to next-gen solutions through an evolutionary approach for our existing customers and creates an opportunity for Siemens Enterprise Communications to reach a wide range of new customers while leading our industry to the next generation of user experience."

Project Ansible is expected to begin limited customer trials at the end of 2013 and be generally available later in 2014.

Siemens Enterprise Communications will unveil more Project Ansible features over time as the company continues development and moves toward general product availability. 

"Project Ansible integrates all the bits and pieces that we have been talking about in UC," said Nicole Dufft, Pierre Audoin Consultants. "Based on WebRTC, Project Ansible integrates and puts into context all the tools we use in our daily work routines - voice, web and video communication, team collaboration, social networking, business process applications, content management, enterprise search, and even some analytics.  Equally important to this 'contextual integration', usability has been a key focus in developing Project Ansible."

Cloud communications provider Voicenet Solutions has launched VNiStream Plus, a new connectivity solution that builds on its current range.

VNiStream Plus was developed to provide an enhanced level of service and availability to companies that have high call usage and typically fall into the 10 to 30 employees bracket.

By developing a solution that incorporates two PSTN and Business Grade DSL lines and incorporating this into Voicenet Solutions' communications platform they can provide seamless connectivity in the event of a line fault, normally only available to larger enterprises.

Voicenet offers a range of connectivity solutions from single Business Grade DSL to implementation of MPLS Networks with VNiStream Plus bridging the gap between Standard Business Connectivity and EFM.

Call management service provider Akixi has concluded an agreement with Inclarity Communications to supply call management reporting for the Inclarity hosted VoIP service.

Inclarity is branding Akixi call management as Inclarity Reporter for its channel partners and customers.

Akixi hosted call management reporting works with Broadsoft Broadworks technology to deliver all features remotely as SAAS (software as a service) and not as a conventional package on a customer's server.

An important consideration for Inclarity in partnering with Akixi is the service's wallboard functionality, a real-time reporting system. All standard reporting features are provided and alarms can be set for time intervals relating to wait times or call lengths.

Enzo Viscito, Managing Director of Inclarity Communicationsm, said: "The addition of call management and ACD reporting with wallboard display rounds off our service offering."

Bart Delgado, Managing Director, Akixi, stated: "Inclarity joins a growing list of VoIP service providers that have found the Akixi call management service to be a complementary offering for their channel partners and customers.

"The Inclarity Reporter call management and ACD reporting service offers 'cradle to grave' call tracking with reporting and full real-time wallboard display."

Plantronics has named Erna Arnesen as VP of Global Channel and Partner Marketing with a remit to develop the company's global channel and strategic alliance marketing strategies.

"Our partners are strategic to Plantronics so it is important that we develop programmes that can help them be more successful," said Marilyn Mersereau, chief marketing officer, Plantronics.

"Erna brings such tremendous experience with channel and alliance partners in both the hardware and software industries. She will help us build a global programme to unify and accelerate our channel efforts."

Arnesen will work with both channel and alliance partners on developing customised marketing programs. In addition, she will develop programmes for new channels such as in health care and with cloud service providers.

Arnesen said: "The ecosystem we build with our channel and alliance partners is going to be critical as the company expands its footprint in enterprise and SMB environments through broader deployment of unified communication solutions."

Arnesen previously worked at Cisco, most recently as vice president of Global & Strategic Partners for Cisco Services.

She also led the WW Global Services Channels organisation during her time at Cisco, including services channel strategy and go-to-market, channel programmes, distribution, marketing and partner enablement.

During her tenure, the Cisco Services Partner Program (CSPP) was developed, integrating channel programs and initiatives into a globally consistent program.

Previously, Arnesen led the Global SMB, Partner and Industry Solutions Marketing team at Symantec, where she was responsible for messaging, campaigns, and programmes for the SMB segment as well as for global development teams covering key vertical industries.

She also served as vice president, Global Channel and Partner Marketing, responsible for creating and building the channel and alliance marketing organization, strategy and programs globally for Symantec, during and after the acquisition of Veritas.

Prior to joining Symantec, Arnesen had more than 20 years experience in channel sales, marketing, and alliance management with such companies as Fujitsu Softek, Saba Software, CyberSource and SGI.

She also led channel teams, defined and built channel strategies and programs at NeXT and at Apple Computer. She began her career as a value-added reseller selling vertical applications on DEC platforms.

Arnesen was honored with the 2011 Women of Influence Award by the Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal. She has also received the YWCA Tribute to Women in Industry (TWIN) award, and is a graduate of Leadership California. In addition, she was named a 2012 Woman Who Made her Mark by Watermark. Arnesen has a master's degree in business administration from Harvard Business School and a bachelor's degree from Wellesley College.

It has been a successful year for Content Guru and its reseller offering, NGware. Now part of the Vodafone product arsenal, the NGware proposition appears set for a further 12 months of strong uptake by the key players in the reseller market.

Content Guru made a splash in the channel last year when it entered the market in partnership with Cable&Wireless Worldwide with its reseller offering, NGware. Since first showcasing the product at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium in July 2012, NGware has continued to generate interest across the market, with some of the channel's key players getting on board. Underpinning the success of Content Guru's platform is the years of technical know-how and experience that the business brings to the table.

Content Guru was founded back in 2005, making it one of the pioneers of the cloud communications revolution. The company was the brainchild of Redwood Technologies directors, Sean and Martin Taylor, who founded the company after realising the early potential for the development of cloud services. The company cut its teeth in cloud with the creation of the revolutionary storm platform in partnership with Cable&Wireless Worldwide, now part of Vodafone, using the platform to service mission-critical processes for some of the UK's best- known blue-chip enterprises.

When it came to creating NGware for the reseller market, Content Guru opted to build the platform from the same mould. The model of the NGware platform mirrors that of its enterprise predecessor on both an organisational and networking level to deliver the same degree of power and flexibility.

"When we began building NGware, we made a conscious decision not to water down any of the functionality that we had developed for our enterprise customers."
John Rees, Content Guru Commercial Director

Embedded in Vodafone's tier 1 network infrastructure, the platform is able to provide its users with massive scale and real blue-chip grade resilience. This enterprise heritage, argues Content Guru Commercial Director, John Rees (pictured), has been fundamental to the success of NGware over the past year.

"When we embarked upon building our proposition for the channel, we were in the unique position of having access to tried-and tested technology and a well-established partnership model," Rees explains.

"Cloud is a learning process and getting it right takes time. Our position as early adopters and our work with storm meant that when we built NGware we already had more than 6 years of experience in delivering cloud-based solutions for a range of flagship enterprise customers, from EDF Energy to National Rail."

"Those years have been invaluable in allowing us to hone and perfect the processes required to effectively deliver and administer cloud-based communications," Rees continues. "Thanks to that formative period, when it came to launching NGware, we were able to refer to this experience and take our proposition to market with real confidence of being able to deliver real high quality solutions."

The enterprise heritage of NGware permeates down to a technological level. The software which drives the platform has been developed by Content Guru sister-company, Redwood Technologies. Founded in 1993, Redwood has twenty years of experience in providing best-in-class solutions for tier one carriers, banks and governments in more than 50 countries worldwide. Content Guru has taken this enterprise grade technology and made it available to its channel partners via the NGware platform.

"When we began building NGware, we made a conscious decision not to water down any of the functionality that we had developed for our enterprise customers," says Rees. "As a consequence, NGware provides resellers with a truly unique proposition. The platform is perhaps the only offering in the market that provides the reseller with access to enterprise-grade inbound, SIP, PBX and contact centre functionality as part of a seamless integrated suite."

This, Rees explains, is part of the company's philosophy for the channel: "We don't believe in simply giving our customers a rigid set of limited features to sell on. That simply leads to a commoditised market and squeezes that margin that our customers can make on what they are selling."

"We believe in working with our customers in a collaborative partnership model. We don't provide a finished product, but rather a powerful set of building blocks. We then work with the partner to help them package the features of the platform in a way that suits them, their strategy and their customers. We even extend the option for customers to white label services and create their own intellectual property. This is all designed to support our customers as much as possible, and help them build their own offerings that will help them really stand out in the marketplace and win, valuable, long-term, sticky relationships."

To find out more about NGware call +44 (0) 1344 852 350 email sales@contentguru.com

Sennheiser has completed its business headset portfolio with the PRESENCE Mobile Series, a UC audio device that incorporates HD voice clarity, three digital microphones and the new SpeakFocus technology that detects the user's voice and filters out background noise, allowing phone calls in noisy environments and providing listeners with a crystal clear sound experience, claims the firm.
 
WindSafe technology reduces wind noise, addressing one of the biggest sources of annoyance for the listener at the other end of the line. It does so by choosing the best mix of the three microphones and processes the sound to determine the optimal way to balance and enhance the voice of the user.
 
PRESENCE Mobile Series has been designed for Unified Communications professionals and consists of a headset and a USB dongle that allows for a plug & play experience with computers, switching seamlessly between a mobile phone and the Unified Communications client. PRESENCE Mobile Series is also optimised to be used with Microsoft Lync.

PRESENCE Mobile Series is also equipped with the patented ActiveGard hearing protection system to safeguard users against hazardous incoming noises that can be dangerous to hearing.
 
Jane Craven, Director of Sales for Sennheiser UK Telecoms, said: "With the evolution of the modern enterprise towards more flexible, agile working practices that allow people to work remotely and across multiple locations, there is a need for a high quality headset solution that can meet these demands."

Fortinet has launched a new four-point programme for Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) in the EMEA and APAC region.

The new programme will offer beneficial pricing, technical support and training and MSSP-specific marketing assistance, claims the firm.

This two-tiered programme will aim at smaller security integration companies as well as 'pure-play' MSSPs and large telecoms. It focuses on four business components: infrastructure enablement through special discounts, business development, marketing and sales support and MSSP Specialised support, it says.

FortiGate network security platforms are the backbone of the Fortinet MSSP security portfolio. This can be coupled with FortiManager, FortiAnalyzer or FortiCloud to help MSSPs keep their customers' networks protected, the company says.

Fortinet also offers network security platform integration into Cloud, Virtualisation and Software Defined Networks (SDN).

Top business tips and insights into market trends feature as part of O2 Wholesale's updated YouTube channel, with videos from Ben Johns, Business Development Manager at O2 Wholesale, and Dan Cunliffe, Head of Partners and Strategy, talking business.

Meanwhile, Geoff Malvisi, Business Development Manager, discusses how channel businesses can avoid the sting of the recession, while Adrian Barnard, founder of Modern Communications, sums up his experience of working with O2 Wholesale.

To find out more click here:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6IidUlXsyDsYe9MA0Jy4nptQuksLsmgX

BT Business Partner Sales has boosted its partner proposition with the launch of a new portal called AcademyPoint.

The portal offers sales and marketing content but also gives partners access to personal development courses supplied to BT by  e-learning partner Skillsoft, a provider of cloud-based learning solutions.

Martin Clarke, BT General Manager, said: "We know that having the right people with the right skills is essential to a successful business; so having taken feedback from our partners on what development they wanted we launch AcademyPoint."

Channel-only SIP trunking firm VoIP.co.uk is including a number of VoIP security features as standard.

The Oxfordshire-based ITSP recently become a PCI-DSS Level-1 Service Provider for its secure SIP Trunking service, SIP Encrypt.

"Our Partners have often voiced their concerns about security when deploying VoIP as no matter how careful you are with the CPE there's often a weak link with the service provider," said Adam Crisp, MD.

"As such, we take a lot of those headaches away and ensure that the care taken by the partners to secure the CPE elements of the deployment is continued into the cloud by us."

VoIP.co.uk's Enhanced SIP Trunking includes security features such as Toll Fraud Detection where irregular activity triggers an alarm for a technician to investigate and take steps to minimise the impact of any security breaches.

"The alarm is investigated at any time of day or night and our technician will attempt to confirm whether the activity is legitimate or not with the named stakeholders," added Crisp.

"Where we are unable to reach the stakeholder a conscious decision is taken to err on the side of caution and kill the call. Our Partners agree that it's easier to start the call again after speaking with us than to deal with the fallout from a security breach."

Beyond the Enhanced Sip Trunking solution, says Crisp, VoIP.co.uk has taken security to the 'next level'. "SIP trunk usage within the Payment Card Industry (PCI) is attracting a lot of close scrutiny from PCI Security Standards Council as well as organisations such as Barclaycard and Visa and there is now a compliancy requirement for merchants processing transactions across SIP Trunks," he added.

"We have developed a PCI compliant secure VoIP solution which encrypts and protects telephone calls which has obvious applications for PCI but also prevents eavesdropping and subsequent intellectual property theft."