Comms Dealer

Nimans is raising the profile of Asterisk, an open source framework for building communications applications.

It forms the basis of IP PBX systems and VoIP gateways such as Nimans' iQ PBX platform, conference servers and other custom solutions.

"This technology is perfect for resellers who want an all-in-one solution as well as those who prefer to 'get under the bonnet' and create a more bespoke comms platform," said Nimans' iQ Business Manager Judith Addison.

"Today, there are more than one million Asterisk-based communications systems in use
in more than 170 countries. Often deployed by system integrators and developers, Asterisk can become the basis for a complete business phone system, or be used to enhance or extend an existing system, or bridge a gap between systems."

ScanSource Communications Europe is set to launch a new cloud solutions programme under its existing hosted brand VaaS-t following a link-up with data centre and connectivity provider Virtual1.

The hosted solution will be based on Unify's OpenScape Business system.

The move is a response to growing demand for cloud solutions and hosted UC and introduces subscription-based, cost per-user per-month license models with cloud-based, on-premises or hybrid deployment options.

"Many of our resellers were looking at alternative solutions to our on-premises systems as a number of their end user customers have now adopted a cloud-based strategy," stated Paul Emery, Director of Technical and Services, ScanSource Communications Europe.

"We have responded to this market change by establishing our cloud solutions for voice as well as video." 

The UK is the first market to launch new cloud solutions under VaaS-t.  

Analytical data management platform Zizo has become part of Dell's Service Provider Partner programme.

Zizo has signed up to Dell's Service Provider Partner programme in an greement that sees Zizo's analytical data management solution proposed alongside data centre hardware and support provided by Dell.

The company delivers an end-to-end Analytics-as-a-Service platform based on its own patented technology, with customers including the BBC, Marks and Spencer and the Royal Mail in the UK.

Managed service provider 365itms has snapped up IT services, support and training business Deverill.

The deal broadens 365itms's range of technology and services enabling it to provide end?to?end solutions.

The combined organisation will double the size of the company to a £20m turnover business with offices in Poole and Reading.

The enlarged organisation holds a number of vendor accreditations including VMWare, HP, Cisco, Microsoft, Dell, Citrix and a range of other household name manufacturers.

365itms MD Steve Ellis said: "Deverill's infrastructure and managed service capabilities are broad and deep. Our partners and customers will have access to an enhanced range of services and a larger skilled team."

Jay Bradley, Head of Vendor Engagement at Deverill, added: "Two successful companies joining forces in non?competing sectors gives us a great opportunity to build the business."

Nimans opened the door to 18 kids from Bury and Whitefield Jewish Primary School who were given a guided tour of the company's Manchester HQ.

They also took part in an interactive presentation and learned how a phone system and two-way radios operate, and they got the inside view on video conferencing.

The 10-11-years-old also learned about aspects of Nimans operations including sales, logistics, marketing, purchasing and IT.

Nimans' Sue Goldfine commented: "The children were enthusiastic and keen to discover what makes a big company tick. They asked interesting questions and left with big smiles on their faces having gained valuable experience about working life."

Deputy Head Melanie Kobak added: "The children had a fabulous time. Nimans taught them about telecommunications and various job roles, inspiring some of our pupils to become sales people, warehouse workers and many other jobs."

James Kenn has joined Exponential-e as regional business manager with a remit to drive expansion in the north of England and Scotland.

"Digital infrastructure is at the heart of achieving regional prosperity and we have experienced a strong appetite for our services," stated John Kyrillou, Sales Director at Exponential-e.

"Since opening in Manchester last year we have achieved in the region of 60% increase in revenues. As the UK's vision for a northern powerhouse starts to take hold, we are confident that James will be able to blend his skills in business development, client consultancy and leadership to open up new opportunities for us." 

Kenn brings 15-plus years experience in B2B sales with a focus on managed IT services to enterprise organisations across a number of industries including retail, FMGC, automotive and construction.

Prior to joining Exponential-e he was a Business Development Director at Vodafone where he developed sales strategies for cloud-based managed convergence solutions.

He also spent 14 years at BT where he nurtured CXO relationships for high value accounts, supporting organisations with strategic initiatives including M&A activity.

Kenn said: regional business manager, Exponential-e. "I am confident that I will be able to use Exponential-e's heritage to achieve regional prosperity and support the progression of the brand moving forwards."

Connectivity and co-location company SSE Enterprise Telecoms has become the UK's first national service provider to buy dark fibre capacity over CityFibre's newly acquired long distance network (LDN).

The 15-year agreement secures capacity along a 48 kilometre stretch of network between Reading and Slough and provides SSE Enterprise Telecoms with access to significant additional fibre capacity to better serve their customers.

Colin Sempill, MD of SSE Enterprise Telecoms, said: "It is encouraging to see the breadth of fibre assets available both regionally and nationally from CityFibre. We look forward to a long-term, mutually rewarding relationship as each of our businesses continues to grow rapidly."

Rob Hamlin, Commercial Director at CityFibre added: "This agreement with SSE Enterprise Telecoms marks our first LDN transaction and the beginning of a key trading relationship with a major national service provider."

VIA's on track to take the chequered flag as sponsor of Rick Parfitt Jnr's bid to win the 2016 British GT Championship which kicks off at Brands Hatch on April 17th.

The racer was crowned 2013 GT4 champion and he enjoyed success during last year's British GT Championship as a part of the Ginetta team.

This year he's switched to Team Parker Racing, and his partnership with VIA will see his Bentley Continental GT3 emblazoned with the firm's trademark blue logo.

The seven-race season includes on track showdowns at Rockingham and Silverstone before drawing to a close at Donington Park in September.

Rick Parfitt Jnr said: "To drive a Bentley Continental GT3 for Team Parker Racing is a dream come true and I can't wait for the first race of the season at Brands Hatch. I would like to thank everybody at VIA for their ongoing support."

Iain Worthington, Financial Director at VIA, said: "We are proud to be sponsoring Rick ahead of what promises to be the most exciting British GT Championship to date. We will be cheering him on from the pit lane and it will be a great honour to see our VIA logo pass that chequered flag."

Pure fibre network builder Gigaclear has secured an additional £24m in new equity to drive the build of new Fibre-To-The-Premises (FTTP) networks to UK homes and businesses.

Led by Infracapital and Woodford Investment Management the investment was fully subscribed by Gigaclear's existing shareholders. 

This new equity investment follows hard on the heels of the 25m euros EIB loan facility announced in January.

Gigaclear offers customers speeds up to 1Gbps via fibre optic cable in areas typically underserved by the existing large broadband providers.  

The company has built and operates 60 rural fibre networks with a further 25 in construction. It targets a market of 1.5 million households and businesses across thousands of rural communities seeking ultrafast and reliable broadband.

Ed Clarke, co-founder and Director, Infracapital, said: "Having successfully secured several BDUK contracts and completed this round of fund raising Gigaclear is well placed to deliver its 2016 roll out plans."

Matthew Hare, Chief Executive, Gigaclear said: "We are building to tens of thousands of potential new customers this year. The strong financial support of our shareholders lets us get on with the job of delivering future-proof broadband without delay."

Gigaclear was advised in this transaction by Cameron Barney LLP.

Azlan has appointed Simon Bennett as Business Unit Director IBM Dell/EMC and Lenovo Enterprise, and Peter Spreadbury as Director of Software.

They join the board under the leadership of Rob Tomlin who was appointed as Managing Director of Azlan in January.

Bennett has 15 years industry experience and has worked at Azlan for almost seven years, previously operating as General Manager of Sales, and before that Internal Sales and Operations Manager.

In his new role he will be responsible for managing key enterprise infrastructure partners, including IBM, Dell, EMC, Lenovo, Avaya and Brocade.

Spreadbury was previously at SCC for 13 years, latterly as Software Director and previously as Director of Vendor Alliances.

Prior to SCC he worked in various senior roles at Hewlett Packard and has a total of 28 years IT industry experience.

As Software Director at Azlan he will be responsible for managing the relationships with leading vendors such as VMware, VERITAS, Citrix, Nutanix, IGEL, and Atlantis.

Tomlin stated: "Both Simon and Peter have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the market and a deep understanding of partner needs. They will make vital contributions as Azlan advances its strategy."