Unified Communications

Cisco's Rowan Trollope demonstrates Spark Assistant at Partner Summit
Unified Communications

Cisco adding AI assistant to Spark collaboration tools

November 3, 2017 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Cisco adding AI assistant to Spark collaboration tools
Cisco previews Spark Assistant, which aims to bring voice control to its collaboration tools, and ultimately create a AI-based meeting moderator.

Cloud

Avaya preaching cloud to Canadian customers and partners at road shows this week

October 16, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Avaya preaching cloud to Canadian customers and partners at road shows this week
Educating customers – and partners – about pure play and hybrid cloud options is a critical part of the Avaya strategy.

Unified Communications

Sennheiser enhances cloud IT management with new HeadSetup Pro Manager

October 13, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Sennheiser enhances cloud IT management with new HeadSetup Pro Manager
HeadSetup Pro Manager provides the ability to roll out updates globally, as well as full asset management and configuration management capabilities. It can also scale to manage up to a million devices.

Unified Communications

Avaya unveils channel-only video conferencing and collaboration service

September 25, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Avaya unveils channel-only video conferencing and collaboration service
Avaya Equinox Meetings Online is a rebranded and significantly upgraded updating of Avaya Live Video. It is a service which integrates well with on-prem video, and is aimed at the premium part of the market where video quality matters.

Networking

Aryaka enters first UCaaS partnership with 8×8 deal that creates a ‘meet in the channel’ solution

September 20, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Aryaka enters first UCaaS partnership with 8×8 deal that creates a ‘meet in the channel’ solution
The best-of-breed partnership is aimed at enterprises with a global presence, as well as regional customers with significant challenges.

Unified Communications

Avaya Canada names David Robertson new Canada country manager

September 13, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Avaya Canada names David Robertson new Canada country manager
Following Rejean Bourgault’s departure for AWS Canada, Avaya names a replacement from within, hoping for some stability in the Canadian country manager role.

Channel Programs

Sennheiser unveils their first deal registration program for North America

September 8, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Sennheiser unveils their first deal registration program for North America
The deal reg discount comes bundled with a permanent spiff for completion of a registered deal, and Sennheiser says that some interesting new products in the new year will add to the program’s value.

Distribution

8×8 signs on Ingram Micro as key part of channel expansion strategy

July 28, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on 8×8 signs on Ingram Micro as key part of channel expansion strategy
The Ingram Micro deal is part of a significant initiative 8×8 has been making this year to up its investment in the channel.

Channel Programs

Mitel lays out channel plans stemming from ShoreTel integration

July 28, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Mitel lays out channel plans stemming from ShoreTel integration
Because the closing of the acquisition will take place during a planned extensive restructuring of the Mitel channel program, the integration of both programs into a new one will take place in relatively short order.

Cloud

UPDATED: Mitel accelerates move to cloud with ShoreTel acquisition

July 28, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on UPDATED: Mitel accelerates move to cloud with ShoreTel acquisition
The plan is to rationalize and simplify the portfolio, although there is no rush to settle on a common platform. There is also relatively little channel overlap, so no need to rationalize the number of partners.