Comms Dealer

Resellers who take the wireless route to headset sales stand to gain most as cordless devices are set to 'dominate the sector', claimed Nimans.

"Wireless are on the rise and set to overtake corded, so this is a significant growth area for resellers to exploit," stated James Burns, Head of Sales, Systems Integrators.

"Wireless headset sales are rising across the industry at around 35-40% whereas traditional contact centre and office headset sales remain fairly stable."

The two dominant market sectors for headsets - contact centres plus office and UC deployments - are vibrant, according to Burns.

"In the traditional contact centre space the emergence of high-end intelligent headsets is the next big thing," he added.

"The integration of headsets with intelligent communication platforms is all the rage.

"The buzzword for several months has been around contextual intelligence, based around software developments and headset smart sensors.

"For example, smart sensors enable an agent to take off their headset which alerts the system to automatically take them out of a group status. This creates a slicker call centre operation."

Skype for Business adoption is also driving the uptake of headsets, especially following the changes in how Microsoft issues payment commissions, pointed out Burns.

"Changes to licence commissions are paid means that only half is delivered upfront with the remainder triggered upon activation of a licence," he said.

"This offers a real growth opportunity for headsets because in order to use a voice licence a suitable UC end point needs to be connected to optimise audio performance.

"The quality end points must match the quality of the overall system otherwise there is a risk to the user experience. Many resellers understand this, but there remains too many that don't."

avsnet has formed a new strategic partnership with Redscan, a managed security service provider (MSSP).

Staffed by avsnet and Redscan's network and security specialists, the companies' combined operational centres will provide customers with complete network visibility and 24/7 protection from a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

This includes protection from risks that can result in extortion, data loss, reputational impacts, network outages and financial loss.

Specific services include immediate information on actionable security events, remediation guidance, compliance audit reports, data for forensic analysis and security device management.

Graham Fry, Managing Director at avsnet, said: "IT security used to be a taboo subject, however businesses have awoken to the very real threat of what doing nothing could mean to their reputations and bottom lines.

"After all, cyber-criminals never rest on their laurels. Our customers are increasingly looking to us for advice and protection. Whether it is minimising the damaging effects of security issues, rapidly mitigating threats or providing general peace of mind, we chose to partner with Redscan because of the company's consultative approach."

Redscan's capabilities bolster avsnet's managed services portfolio. This includes proactive network management and monitoring services, cloud-based unified communications and video solutions, managed visual communications, and proactive support services. Furthermore, Redscan's certifications (CREST, CISSP, OSCE, CEH and numerous others) match avsnet's focus on regulatory compliance and industry accreditations.

Simon Heron, CTO at Redscan, added: "As our penetration tests regularly demonstrate to new customers, most organisations incorrectly believe their network is well protected.

"This is rarely the case - there is often an insecure network end-point, weak password or unpatched vulnerability that is putting their business at risk.

"Critical issues such as these need identifying and rectifying the moment they occur. Much like avsnet's understanding of how important the corporate network is to improving business performance, we recognise how important security is to a business's day-to-day operations. This shared ethos makes the two companies a natural fit."

Jim Sewell has joined Virtual1 as a second non-executive board member, working alongside existing non-executive Steve Scott.

Sewell, a graduate of Manchester University, joined Alternative Networks in 1994, becoming a Sales Manager in 1996 and setting up the NGN Solutions division in 1997.

He went on to manage the Managed Voice Solutions division in 1998 and joined the board as Sales Director in 1999 before becoming Group Sales and Marketing Director in 2004, with a wide brief and helping to build Alternative into a £150m business, listed on AIM.

In 2014 Sewell left Alternative to join Restless Development, focusing on fundraising projects and is currently helping to set up an Entrepreneur Panel where UK entrepreneurs support and fund livelihood projects, backed by fundraising initiatives, mainly in African countries.

Virtual1 Chief Executive Officer Tom O'Hagan said: "I have known Jim for many years and worked closely with him when he was at Alternative Networks. His skill and experience will be invaluable to us as we continue to expand our business."

Sewell added: "I have always admired Virtual1 as a focused and successful business and am looking forward to being involved in its continued success. There's no doubt that exciting times are ahead, and I'm pleased to have the opportunity to work with Tom and the team."

Avnet has unveiled the latest initiative in its HP Silver Partner Programme to be delivered in the UK.

The new initiative is designed to assist HP Silver Partners develop business technology solutions for organisations in different sectors, including central and local government, banking and finance, manufacturing and media.

As part of the programme, Avnet is holding a series of industry sector briefings based on its SolutionsPath methodology.

The first in the series is a GovPath event which focuses on transforming technology into business solutions for central and local government and is being held at Avnet's customer briefing centre in Bracknell on 24th September 2015.

Miriam Murphy, senior vice president, Avnet Technology Solutions, North region, EMEA, said: "We launched our HP Silver Partner Programme to enable our Silver Partners to transact more HP business by gaining accreditations and additional revenue opportunities.

"Using Avnet's proven SolutionsPath methodology, the programme includes briefings to deliver insights and best practice and will give the opportunity to gain skills in specific market sectors in order to provide relevant industry solutions."

HP Silver Partners operate in the mid-volume market and have foundation skills in enterprise technology, software and personal and printing systems.

Lifesize, a division of Logitech, has announced the new Lifesize Cloud Web App, a fully-featured calling platform for anyone using Google Chrome.

The WebRTC-powered offering provides access to Lifesize Cloud's collaborative environment including HD video, chat and screen sharing for all without requiring any software downloads.

The Lifesize Cloud Web App is available for the Chrome browser, with the capability expanding to other browsers including Internet Explorer and Firefox in the near future.

In addition, Lifesize Cloud now offers a voice and content-only web conferencing mode which will help companies save money by making subscriptions to web conferencing services redundant, said the firm.

This move also simplifies the user experience - letting people connect and share their entire screen for collaboration with up to 40 participants - without having to open a new application.

"The implications of WebRTC are profound. By 2019, there will be more than six billion devices supporting WebRTC, and Frost & Sullivan recently predicted that it will be one of the most disruptive trends in the enterprise telecommunications industry," said Craig Malloy, Lifesize founder and CEO.

"However, until now video collaboration tools haven't met the needs of the growing number of organisations migrating to cloud-based apps. CIOs can now scale video - and empower employees to freely reach all internal and external stakeholders - without increasing complexity or demands on infrastructure and support."

Wholesale cloud and network provider Virtual1 has cemented its position as one of the fastest growing tech companies in the UK having its residency in The Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100 confirmed for a third consecutive year.

The Tech Track 100 list ranks the UK's fastest growing private tech companies, based on the past three years' sales and, once again, London-based Virtual1 is the highest-ranked network provider with an overall ranking of 78.

In the financial Year 2014/2015 Virtual1 achieved sales of over £12.5m, showing an increase of around 35%, year-on-year, and a three-year increase of over 250%.

Privately owned Virtual1 has maintained this impressive record of year-on-year growth, through its heavy investment in UK-wide network infrastructure, product and service development, significant expansion in its London fibre network.

Chief Executive Officer Tom O'Hagan said: "Once again my team have worked hard on our vision of driving the company forward in a sustainable way and we are all delighted to have been listed in the Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100.

"As a technology company adhering to a strictly wholesale sales strategy we are fully committed to developing the new and innovative products and services that our partners need in order to develop their own businesses.

"In the past year we have expanded our London network still further, developed 1Cloud and expanded our data centre capacity, and will continue this innovation strategy in order to drive new markets and business opportunities."

Congrats to M12 Solutions MD Andrew Skipsey who completed the nine day 960 mile Deloitte Ride across Britain from Lands End to John O'Groats.

He said: "The whole experience was tremendous. Even though I was on the road for sometimes over 8 hours each day, the Threshold Sports organisation ensured we had fantastic food, were well cared for and our bikes were mechanically sound.

"We saw some wonderful countryside and travelled along every kind of road surface.

"Scotland was stunning with the most memorable stint being the exhilarating ride down through Glen Coe with the wind behind us, light traffic and wonderful weather.

"No such trip would be complete without some horizontal rain, headwinds and strong cross winds which we had, however the weather was mainly kind and other road users were generally considerate.

"I always wanted to do this trip and when I found out that it could be done in such a well organised fashion, I joined. Now in its 5th year, this is the flagship fundraising event for The British Paralympic Association. I am raising money for The Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund and Home-Start North Dorset."

ISPA, the voice of the UK Internet industry, has responded to Head of MI5 Andrew Parker who commented on the need for additional powers to access communications data.

ISPA believes that law enforcement should have reasonable access to communications data as long as the governing legislation has appropriate safeguards, oversight arrangements and does not damage inward investment and the UK's position as a leading place to do business online.

There currently exists a whole raft of powers to access communications data, and we support the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation David Anderson's view that the laws in this area are too complex and need to be more comprehensible. ISPA further agrees with Anderson that the case has not yet been made for an extension of powers.

Responding to Andrew Parker, Nicholas Lansman, ISPA Secretary General said: "ISPA calls on the Home Office to follow the advice of Parliament and consult with industry and the wider Internet community on the Investigatory Powers Bill. It is important to get the balance right between privacy, security, maintaining user trust and the cost to industry as key issues such as retaining third party data, judicial oversight and data hosted abroad are discussed."

ISPA will be working with members to analyse the impact of the Bill and we look forward to formally responding to the parliamentary committee scrutinising the legislation.

In year-one GENBAND's  Kandy communications Platform as a Service (PaaS) has grown at 'breakneck speed' and is currently powering more than 15 million users.

Kandy, which includes platforms such as the fring Over-the-Top solution, is helping communications service providers, enterprises, independent software vendors and systems integrators rapidly deploy real-time communications apps designed for today's mobile-first economy.

With more than 1,500 customer accounts and 50 partners including global brands such as IBM, Deloitte and SAP, Kandy is helping its ecosystem partners and customers bring thousands of innovative use cases to market, said the firm.

"We are intensely focused on enabling our ecosystem partners and customers with the latest in real-time communications technology," said Paul Pluschkell, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Cloud Services for GENBAND and Kandy Founder.

"With Kandy we are changing the game of how service providers, enterprises and every day individuals communicate by creating an easy-to-use, rapid service creation platform."

Frontier Voice and Data hosted a charity golf event for its customers and channel partners in aid of Essex-based charity First Step.
 
The day saw 70 players attend Upminster Golf Club to raise funds and perhaps also win a car, a holiday or a new set of golf clubs.

The high turnout ensured that a record £9,457 was collected for the charity that works with pre-school children and their families to offer education services, support, information and encouragement.
 
The winning team came from Voiceflex, one of Frontier's premier suppliers, and comprised Justin Blaine, Ken Blaine, Steven Mackervoy and Paul Taylor.
 
Nolan Braterman, Business Development Director at Frontier Voice and Data, said: "We are proud to be associated with First Step and their annual golf day and are extremely happy to have helped raise such a huge sum for First Step, which will enable them to carry on their excellent work.
 
"Congratulations go to the winning Voiceflex team who took on the 18 hole course and triumphantly won. Everyone had a great time and we're all looking forward to coming back next year."