Unified Communications

Channel Programs

ShoreTel enables partner cloud installs with new PartnerStart Program

November 29, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on ShoreTel enables partner cloud installs with new PartnerStart Program
ShoreTel has done all the cloud installs itself since it acquired its cloud business in 2012, but now their Enabled partners who get certified through the new program will be able to do so.

Unified Communications

Enterprise VoIP vendor 8×8 looks to take channel to next stage with new partner program

November 15, 2016 Mark Cox 1
8×8 only began to actively a develop a channel in recent years, but now the channel has grown to the point where the company has had to introduce a new program with more resources to support it.

Unified Communications

Avaya sees new Equinox integrated UC as game-changer for the channel

October 18, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Avaya sees new Equinox integrated UC as game-changer for the channel
While Avaya plans to extend Equinox to the mid-market in the future, today it’s based on Aura and as such is just an enterprise play.

Unified Communications

Sennheiser moves into commercial noise cancellation market with MB 660 Series

September 26, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Sennheiser moves into commercial noise cancellation market with MB 660 Series
The new Sennheiser headsets, designed specifically for knowledge workers in noisy open offices, feature high end adaptive noise cancellation capability.

Distribution

Westcon brings U.K. voice solution provider Speakerbus to North American channel

September 16, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Westcon brings U.K. voice solution provider Speakerbus to North American channel
Speakerbus makes a high quality product used in financial segments, and by first responders and the military, but it is also exceptionally well suited to managed services.

Unified Communications

Built-in encryption, user experience changes highlight Avaya IP Office 10

September 6, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Built-in encryption, user experience changes highlight Avaya IP Office 10
The new release of IP Office also makes some architectural and administrative changes designed to make things easier for Avaya channel partners who sell the product.

Networking

Avaya, FatPipe launch first integrated SDN and SDN-WAN solution

July 20, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Avaya, FatPipe launch first integrated SDN and SDN-WAN solution
The joint solution will be available through the channel of both vendors, although in Canada, the FatPipe channel is more limited, so Avaya’s channel will likely carry the ball here.

Cloud

Actiance sees big benefits in Skype for Business certification

July 18, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Actiance sees big benefits in Skype for Business certification
Apart from the typical benefits from certified status of Microsoft’s validation with customers, Microsoft’s policies of encouraging partnerships is generating new business for Actiance from other Microsoft vendor partners, and developing a higher value-add channel for them.

Networking

Sonus Networks expands support for Skype for Business

July 13, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Sonus Networks expands support for Skype for Business
Sonus sees significant opportunities here for partners, who are their sole go-to-market in the enterprise space. They also announced their SBC portfolio has been certified for Skype for Business.

Unified Communications

Microsoft relationship now key for independent Polycom

July 12, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Microsoft relationship now key for independent Polycom
With the Mitel deal now off, Polycom needs to build its own bridge into a cloud future. Nick Tidd, who runs their Global Partner Organization, outlines the company’s plans to do just that, with one key objective being to get their own channel to sell Polycom and Microsoft together.