Unified Communications

Avaya’s Zang introduces new cloud phone service, and new collaboration tool

February 13, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off

Zang moves into the cloud PBX market with Zang Office, although at this stage, the channel opportunities, other than referral fees, are limited. Partner opportunities for Zang Space, the collaboration tool, appear stronger.

Jive, inContact, and Polycom announce UCaaS technology predictions

February 13, 2017 Guest Poster Comments Off

Jive Communications, inContact, and Polycom share their top predictions for 2017 in the unified communications-as-a-service space.

Avaya looks to reduce debt burden and re-emerge stronger with Chapter 11 filing

January 19, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off

Avaya says that the sale of its Contact Center business is not being considered as a way to restructure its balance sheet, but that it is in discussions to possibly sell off other assets.

ShoreTel enables partner cloud installs with new PartnerStart Program

November 29, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off

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.

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

October 18, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off

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.

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

September 16, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off

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.

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

September 6, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off

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.

Actiance sees big benefits in Skype for Business certification

July 18, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off

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.

Nectar unveils QoS automation solution for collaboration environments on Cisco networks

July 18, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off

Nectar also announced a second new offering, around Microsoft Skype, with a suite of cloud enablement solutions that parallels ones they had previously offered for on-prem deployments.