Comms Dealer

Vision has been awarded a place on the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) over a three year term for Managed Print and Content Management Services.

Vision has been developing its Public Sector team and strategy over several years and experienced success within Higher and Further Education and Healthcare including NHS trusts, Universities and Colleges helping them Manage Printing and Documents more efficiently and delivery continued savings.

Vision's Head of Public Sector Leon Wragg commented: "Our remit as one of the Framework holders is to engage with all aspects of the Public Sector, to deliver a fully managed service focused on centralisation, security and standardisation of all print output.

"We will help manage and develop organisations print and document strategies by delivering a new solution and service and enhancing existing technology and infrastructure, developing best practice and improving efficiencies."

BroadSoft has surpassed 15 million cloud unified communications lines deployed globally and in the cloud PBX/UCaaS space has claimed 41% global market share according to industry analyst Frost & Sullivan.

On November 14th BroadSoft will launch its BroadSoft Business application suite at its user conference, Connections 2016.

"BroadSoft believes that the cloud market for new cloud PBX/unified communications will surpass on-premise PBX/unified communication equipment shipments by 2020," stated Taher Behbehani, Chief Digital and Marketing Officer.

"BroadSoft Business positions us to maintain our position. As a multi-tenant UCaaS solution, BroadSoft Business can deliver cost and scalability benefits to services providers and businesses alike."

Stephanie Watson, General Manager, MZA, added: "Multi-tenant cloud solutions have dominated cloud telephony/UC deployments to date and over the forecast period this situation is expected to continue, representing more than 55% of all cloud deployments in 2021.

"MZA estimates BroadSoft based technology has a share of more than 50% of the worldwide multi-tenant user base, and over 45% of the EMEA user base."

Peterborough-based GreenCity Solutions has acquired Total Solutions enabling the combined entity to offer businesses a broader set of solutions including telecoms, managed print and software development along with stronger technical support.

Rob Baldacci, Group MD, said: "Hot on the heels of our £1.5m investment into Peterborough's connectivity infrastructure this coming together of two businesses opens the local business community up to far greater options when considering their IT and communication solutions as a whole."

Jon Hunt, Director of Operations, added: "Merging Total Solutions and GreenCity makes sense for us and our customers, creating a larger team of technical staff and on-site engineers that enables us to react quicker to customers' needs."

Hackers linked to the Russian military have exploited a previously undisclosed Windows security flaw, according to Microsoft, as President Putin looks to strip the software out of government offices and firms.

US senior intelligence officials have told NBC News the Russian leader is planning to replace all foreign software with domestic alternatives, and has already blocked LinkedIn which is being bought by Microsoft. 

The software maker said in an advisory on its website there had been a small number of attacks using 'spear phishing' emails from a hacking group known as Strontium, which is more widely known as 'Fancy Bear', or APT 28. Microsoft did not identify any victims.

Washington has accused Moscow of launching an unprecedented hacking campaign aimed at disrupting and discrediting the upcoming election.

G3 Comms has secured Diamond accreditation as part of Avaya's new channel programme called Avaya Edge.

Diamond accreditation is the highest level in the programme. G3 was also named a Partner in Customer Excellence and is currently the only Diamond partner in the UK with this designation.

Tony Parish (pictured), Chairman of G3 Comms, stated: "The Edge programme has been created to support performance and the ability for channels to differentiate in the evolving digital market.

"We found it easier to complete the necessary qualifications in this programme and we are now rewarded with sales in recurring services and software."

G3 Comms has a long-standing relationship with Avaya and has been the first company to deploy many of its solutions including Avaya Definity, Aura Contact Centre, G3R and the first UK converged management platform.

Zen Internet has partnered with UK cloud services provider VanillaIP to bring a new BroadSoft-based UC solution to its UK channel.

Zen Channel Partners MD Stephen Warburton said: "The market is moving beyond hosted PBX where you are essentially replicating PBX service from the cloud, to a solution that is more apps-based than device-based.

"The continual R&D VanillaIP demonstrated in adding its own services to the BroadSoft platform convinced us it has the innovation we need."

Zen Internet's wide customer profile, from SME to corporate mid-market and enterprise, meant that the chosen solution must address the whole market spectrum and have the scalability and automation to support Zen's largest customers.

"A key element in enabling this, and in combining Zen's connectivity and other services, was VanillaIP's Uboss portal," added Warburton.

"One of the challenges for us all is how do we package complex technology solutions in a way that our customers will understand. Uboss lets us do this".

Underlying the new partnership is Zen's connectivity with an Assured service which supports IP voice traffic only, along with a converged service which supports prioritised IP voice traffic and data.

Dave Dadds, CEO at VanillaIP, added: "Zen Internet is a long-established network services provider and a technology supplier trusted by its reseller channel and thousands of customers."

The new cloud UC offering will combine BroadSoft cloud PBX, apps and call centre with third party apps such as the Unity suite.

Uboss will unify these within a single portal, while also providing reporting and self-service for end users.

"The channel needs to move beyond a one bundle fits all approach," stated Warburton. "Customers are embracing cloud in all elements of their business. They are aware of the possibilities and we need to present them solutions that are more tightly aligned with their own requirements."

SpliceCom has unveiled its latest managed service offer, SpliceCom Select Cloud Voice for Smaller Businesses, a proposition that provides customers with 'choice without complexity', according to Stuart Bell Head of Sales for the UK & Ireland.

He said: "The delivery of SpliceCom Select Cloud Voice for Smaller Businesses has benefited from our experience with the original SpliceCom Select offer which targeted mid-to-large enterprise customers, and from discussions with our channel partners.

"They now have flexible pay-per-month cloud services that can be tailored to their business requirements.

"This flexibility also allows them to provide a cloud solution for customers whose broadband, Ethernet or leased line service may still be in-contract."

24 Seven Communications is set to broaden its service offering with a new software upgrade in partnership with HTC.

24 Seven's national roaming SIM card, Jump, will become compatible with HTC's premium device range, with plans to roll out the software to more of the manufacturer's products over the coming months.

David Samuel, MD and founder of 24 Seven, said: "This new compatibility deal and software advancement will take our national roaming offering to a wider business audience.

"Jump solves the longstanding issue of poor signal across the UK. Businesses across the country can now easily access the tools they need for enhanced success and communication."

Grieg Williams, President of HTC Europe, added: "Combining the technical specialisms of our premium range with the national roaming power of the Jump SIM is an exciting step."

Mitel's Q3 2016 results shows revenues of $279.8m and a
margin increase of 50 basis points year-over-year to 53%.

"In Q3 the Mitel team delivered a solid performance reporting GAAP EPS of $0.20 and non-GAAP EPS of $0.12," said Richard McBee, Mitel's Chief Executive Officer.

"With a clear migration path for customers, a series of new product offerings now in market, and a strong pipeline, we are well-positioned moving into what is typically our strongest quarter of the year."

Recurring cloud seats grew by 43,000 during the quarter, up from 31,000 seats added during Q2-2016, and now stand at 494,000 seats.

Sennheiser has extended its line of wired Culture Plus headsets with new Culture Plus Mobile variants which offer smart, dual connectivity via the headsets' 3.5mm jack and a detachable USB cable, enabling office workers to become more mobile and help businesses accelerate the adoption of Unified Communications.

"Allowing employees to use the same equipment both in the office and in other mobile working contexts is a step forward in driving the adoption of UC solutions," sasid Brian Brorsbol, Director of Product Management at Sennheiser Communications.

"With the dual connectivity offered by Culture Plus Mobile, we are facilitating this adoption process and enhancing the communication experience - whether the headset is connected to a PC or a mobile device."

Certified for Skype for Business and compatible with all major UC clients and softphone brands, the Culture Plus Mobile variants are suited for enterprises and offices that are adopting a new UC work culture.