Unified Communications

Zoom launches Master Agent channel with related Referral Partner Program

The new channel and program are focused on taking Zoom’s video-first UC platform to market, which they believe will fit partner business models better through a referral system rather than doing deals on the partner’s paper.

Synacor sees Qumu merger as expanding channel opportunities for video in midmarket

Synacor has a large channel, for whom the addition of Qumu’s enterprise-grade video will significantly deepen their collaboration offerings.

Consistency remains key asset for Avaya Canada in midst of change

Avaya is introducing new cloud services through their RingCentral partnership, and is aggressively expanding into the Master Agent channel, but even as a Canadian channel exec moves on, the company still sees its stability in Canada as a major asset.

Avaya goes broader with ‘All In’ partnering strategy

New Avaya channel chief Jon Brinton lays out Avaya’s channel strategy for the year ahead, which unsurprisingly emphasizes the new Avaya Cloud Office but also focuses on developing new channels.

Kitchener’s Network Telecom delivers big results from small markets to win major Avaya award

While Avaya is putting more emphasis on the cloud, Network Telecom, whose customers are mainly in small town southwestern Ontario, won a Midmarket Partner of the Year award by leveraging a very traditional business model.

Avaya CEO Chirico spells out strategy at critical Engage conference

Avaya kicked off the first day of their big customer event by focusing on their partnership with RingCentral and how it fits into their overall vision. They also announced the Avaya Cloud Office UCaaS solution with RingCentral, which will be available later this quarter.

French communication platform vendor LumApps looks to build out Microsoft channel

LumApps, which is aggressively expanding in North America and now sells more here than in Europe, has joined the Microsoft Partner eXperience program and plans to build out a strong Microsoft channel, as they have already done with Google.

Poly looks to redesign huddle rooms with Studio X all-in-one video bars for Zoom Rooms

These new devices, which support Zoom natively and will support more third-party apps in the future, offer users greater simplicity, and offer channel partners 3x the margins compared to selling a solution around a PC.

Avaya expands ReadyNow’s global footprint, AI capabilities with IBM partnership

Avaya sees the synergy between the two companies and IBM’s consultancy capabilities as important assets in meeting the unexpectedly high demand for ReadyNow as-a-service from larger customers.

Teamline lets Microsoft Teams users join other platforms with one click through MultiJoin

Teamline is focused on the Microsoft platform, and MultiJoin won’t change that, but it does give users added flexibility with calls involving different platforms.

Pexip reaches out to Microsoft customers with new free CVI promotion

The offer to new customers for both Microsoft Teams and Surface Hub 2 is also intended to get some Pexip channel partners from the AV side of the house to work more closely with Microsoft.

Calabrio CEO Goodmanson says Teleopti acquisition makes company channel powerhouse

Calabrio’s CEO talks with ChannelBuzz about what partners can expect to see from the newly enlarged company, which he says now has the largest channel business in the space.

Steelcase launches Microsoft channel-focused initiative around Surface Hub 2

Steelcase makes Steelcase Roam, a mobile cart and wall mounting system designed specifically for the Microsoft Surface Hub 2, and has launched a new program and new IT distribution relationships to help Microsoft partners sell it.

Sennheiser restructures North American operations to improve channel efficiency

With the restructuring of Sennheiser into two separate business for the start of 2020 on schedule, the part of the company focused on unified communications has already implemented internal and channel sales changes.

Lenovo continues to build out Smart Office strategy with ThinkSmart Hub 500 for Zoom Rooms

The follow-up to last year’s original ThinkSmart Hub 500, which was for Skype for Business, continues Lenovo’s strategy of building out their Smart Office portfolio, and in the teams space in particular.

Avaya leverages Google, containers to take cloud UC downmarket with Powered by Avaya IX

The SMB space was a hard sell for partners with virtualized Powered by IP Office, but the company thinks this next-gen rebranded play that runs on the Google cloud will be a popular partner offering.

netTALK seeks reseller partners for newly launched cloud-based telephone system for small business

netTALK, which has been in the consumer phone market for years, enters the commercial market, and is looking for both Master Agents and VARs to sell it.