Comms Dealer

Simwood's focus on VoIP uptime, fraud prevention and real-time APIs helped the wholesale network operator to secure a deal with the London Internet Exchange (LINX) for the provision of reliable voice services.

As one of the world’s largest Internet Exchange Points LINX provides a meeting point for 600-plus ISPs including Simwood. The London network currently handles approximately 5Tbps of peak traffic and is within reach of around 85% of the global Internet. 

"Having previously deployed VoIP internally in and between its two offices, LINX wanted to embrace the wider benefits of VoIP while enhancing availability," said Simwood CEO Simon Woodhead.

Simwood operates an IP network spanning Edinburgh, Manchester, Slough and London and is built for high availability.

It also operates its own SS7 interconnects to BT and Virgin, each in multiple sites.

The VoIP stack is distributed throughout the network and at each level is able to fail over between sites. It has no dependence on and competes directly with services from other operators such as BT's IPExchange, noted Woodhead.

"It was a joy to receive an RFQ stipulating requirements that matched our USPs from such a technically competent organisation," added Woodhead.

"The process was exhaustive right down to an examination of fibre maps and failure scenarios, because if LINX sneezes the Internet catches a cold."

LINX CTO Richard Petrie added: "We want the flexibility VoIP offers, but not at the expense of availability. And Simwood's achievements on VoIP fraud mitigation and excellent real-time API were a welcome bonus."

The solution is currently in the deployment phase and will be brought into service over the coming months.

Lancs-based Abbey Telecom has recruited Andy Wilson (pictured) as Director with a remit to leverage sales opportunities in the north west region.

"We've hundreds of clients nationally but it makes sense to win business locally and do more on our home patch," stated Wilson.

He joins from cost management consultancy firm PCMG where he was Managing Director. Wilson's previous experience also includes a stint as Head of Sales and Service for BT Conferencing in the 1990s before becoming Sales and Marketing Director at Ryder Systems. He assisted in the sale of Ryder Systems to The CTI Group where he became the Worldwide VP for Sales and Marketing.

Abbey Telecom MD Tony Raynor added: "Our goal is to help new and existing customers understand the options they have with us in terms of lines and minutes packages, mobile solutions, as well as the high tech range of Samsung traditional and VoIP telephone systems. Andy will play an integral role in making that happen and he will be a fine addition to our team."

A WebRTC partnership between Telefónica' and Mozilla has come to fruition with the beta launch of Firefox Hello, the latest version of Firefox's browser which incorporates a screen sharing feature.

The update offers a new way for people to communicate and collaborate in real-time on the web, according to Ian Small, Telefónica's CEO of Communication Services & Product Innovation.

"Back in January we announced that Firefox Hello had been released into the Firefox browser allowing everyone to experience seamless real-time video communication," he said.

"We also mentioned that we were testing new exciting features that will help to make the Web a more open and collaborative place. I'm very excited to announce that the latest version of the Firefox browser now includes screen sharing capabilities within Hello.

"This new feature allows the host to share a browser tab or application window while in the video conversation, opening up new possibilities for collaborative web browsing with friends, family and co-workers. It's a great way to shop online together, collaborate on a document, or just watch a video with a friend."

Hello requires no plugins, accounts or sign-ups. A video conversation is started between two people by using a link to connect the two parties. The guest can join a video call simply by clicking the link that is provided by the host and screen sharing options are then made available in the chat window.

At this stage Hello is still in Beta, so please try out this latest version and let us know what you think - but keep your eyes peeled for more features that enable even closer collaboration and show that the Web is much better when experienced together."

Watford-based Freedom Communications has augmented its UC portfolio with the addition of DXI's cloud-based EasyContactNow solution.

The agreement signals DXI's push to recruit more UK partners to its channel programme, a campaign led by Glenn Warrington who aims to extend DXI's reach into new markets.
The move comes hot on the heels of DXI's acquisition by 8x8 for £16.5m late last month, extending US-based 8x8's European expansion strategy.

Freedom MD Pat Botting said: "DXI's products are quick to install and deliver a fast impact with minimal disruption to our business.

"The scalable solution is well suited for a small internal department supporting colleagues as well as a large customer-facing contact centre managing thousands of calls a day."

Warrington stated; "I have worked with many organisations, helping them to build their go-to-market strategies, and DXI stood out with its innovative approach and determination to deliver for the customer."

Sharon Maslyn, DXI Sales Director, added: "As more and more organisations are looking to harness the power of the cloud to drive superior customer communications, DXI is positioned to deliver both cloud and hybrid solutions that slot into existing infrastructures."

8x8 has acquired privately-held DXI for £16.5m and plans to bring DXI's EasyContactNow contact centre product to the US market by the end of 2015.

"The acquisition of DXI enables 8x8 to continue to boost its European expansion efforts," said Vik Verma, Chief Executive Officer of 8x8.

"With DXI's strong UK contact center market presence and technical team, 8x8 can broaden its European footprint, offer a frictionless, online sales approach for agile contact centres and line-of-business buyers, and add a stellar team passionate about bringing next-generation contact centre innovations to market."

Luca Pepere, DXI CEO, added: "Over the last couple years, we have seen an inflection point for cloud communications, and the contact centre continues to evolve from a stand-alone cost centre to a critical organisation-wide business asset.

"This market shift will propel the next phase of our business, and together we will drive a new level of disruption in business communications."

The upcoming release of Union Street's version 2.6 of its aBILLity billing platform features out-of-the-box integration with Creditsafe, a supplier of company credit reports.

Union Street claims that by integrating aBILLity with Creditsafe its channel partners will be able to access company credit reports and continually monitor the credit status of both existing and prospective customers.

According to Union Street, aBILLity presents data drawn from Creditsafe's database in a familiar traffic light structure, allowing users to assess clients' credit worthiness at a glance when browsing customer lists in aBILLity.

Credit score information for the entire customer base can be automatically monitored for changes on a daily basis, and email notifications can be configured to alert users in the event that a change in score is identified.

Other company data held by Creditsafe, including registered company address, full credit history, and director contact information can be viewed and automatically populated into aBILLity.

For resellers that use Microsoft Dynamics CRM, this functionality has also been made available in Union Street's CRM solution and is available as part of the aBILLity integration or as a stand-alone CRM solution.

Vincent Disneur, Head of Sales for Union Street, said: "By integrating with Creditsafe, aBILLity is able to offer business information in a low-maintenance, easy to use package which our clients and channel partners will already be familiar with.

"In addition to managing existing customers, this integration is particularly beneficial when bringing on new business.

"Giving Billing Platform users access to credit checking facilities ensures that new prospects can be vetted as they are added to the system.

"The simple to use interface opens this facility up to any member of staff with access to aBILLity or Microsoft Dynamics, and no longer just your financial department."

UK companies are wasting millions of pounds every year sending workers around the world to meetings, many of which are deemed unnecessary, according to the results of research by Sennheiser Communications.

The survey of 2,000 employees found that almost two thirds of respondents have to travel considerable distances to meetings even though 65% admit that they've had a wasted trip.

The furthest distance on average that respondents had to travel was 218 miles, 53% travel over 100 miles for a meeting, and a further 10% have jetted over 500 miles.

Nearly half think their company wastes money on train tickets and flights, with 54% saying that a Skype call would suffice.

Yet the average UK worker makes less than three conference calls or video calls per week, with 61% making two or less, a precedent that's costing unnecessary amounts of money, not to mention the environmental impact of travelling, says Sennheiser.

"We're living in a time when video conferencing and Skype calls are as simple as picking up a mobile and putting on a headset, yet many companies still seem reluctant to take full advantage of the benefits this technology can offer," said Charlotte Waterworth, Marketing Manager, Sennheiser Communications.

"Effectively managing meetings is no easy task, but modern advances in communication mean that there are high quality, cost-effective alternatives available that can make an immediate impact."

It would seem that keeping a sharper eye on meeting management would be a step forwards, noted Waterworth. An honest 53% admit to sneakily arranging meetings to spend longer out of the office, and over half say that the most common reason for attending a meeting is simply because it's scheduled even though there's nothing important to discuss.

And on their return to the office 37% admit to having 'fiddled' expenses as a way to squeeze a bit more value from a trip, with 10% justifying their actions by saying 'everyone does it'.

"Coupled with the fact that just 7% say that all of the face to face meetings they attend are necessary, and 60% say they believe their boss often holds meetings just for the sake of it, it seems as though there are a number of opportunities for improving workplace efficiency," added Waterworth.

"When you factor in unnecessary expenses and time out of the office, effective meeting management is an adjustment many struggling businesses can look into quite easily to help improve their bottom line."

Mark Quartermaine has been appointed CEO of Alternative Networks effective 1st October 2015 following the departure of current CEO Edward Spurrier on 30th September. 

Quartermaine is currently Chief Operating Officer, a position he has held for over 12 months having previously been a non-executive director of the company.

Spurrier commented: "I have achieved everything I set out to achieve when I started my career here at Alternative Networks, and more recently when I took over as Chief Executive."

He joined as Finance Director in 1999, having previously advised the board as a consultant since its first year, 1995, and was appointed as CFO in 2003 before listing on AIM in 2005.

"I've been part of every stage of Alternative Network's development to date," he added.  "The company is in great shape, with a dynamic proposition and a strong management team and is well positioned for future growth."
 
James Murray, Chairman and co-founder of Alternative Networks, commented:  "Edward has been a driving force behind the development, growth and success of Alternative Networks. 

"As a director, he has led our strategy of organic and acquisitive expansion which has transformed the business from a telecommunications reseller into a thriving business technology managed service provider. 

"He has helped build a strong business with a great future and we are incredibly grateful for the contribution he has made."
 
Quartermaine has 30 years experience in the ICT industry in a variety of roles at IBM and BT Global Services, including MD of Public Sector as well as its UK President.  

Before joining Alternative he was Vice President of UK & Ireland for Juniper Networks. He also served as a non-executive director on Alternative Networks' board from 10 December 2012 until January 2014.

In May 2014 he was appointed as COO of Alternative Networks.  Since then, Quartermaine has overseen the successful integration of ControlCircle and Intercept IT into the company, an extensive project which included the restructure of all sales and operations functions and the development of new offices in London.
 
Quartermaine said: "Having been involved with Alternative Networks for a number of years, I have seen the company grow into a business with so much to offer - passionate people and a diverse product and managed service offering, which is wholly in tune with the B2B space and customers' specific needs."

Comms Dealer is sad to report the death of comms industry stalwart John Massey.

Perhaps best known as the founder and MD of Essex-based Actimax, Massey's channel roots reach back 30-plus years and his experience enabled Actimax to deliver impressive results ahead of the acquisitions of Universal Office Automation and Network Resource Group, and the relaunch of Actimax under the Cloud XL brand name in 2011.

Latterly Massey was Director of Acquisition at Arrow Business Communications.

Rainbow Telecom MD Dave Corgat commented: "John was a great man, a captain of our industry and a true flag bearer of the dealer community. For many decades he led the cause for the dealer community to have a greater voice. John will be sadly missed."

Ongoing budget cuts and greater competition for donations have given rise to new forms of collaboration in the back-offices of charities, according to Annodata.

This observation follows Annodata's 400th customer win in the Scottish charity sector, largely down to its collaboration with the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO).
 
PwC conducted a review of charities following the economic downturn in 2008 and has charted progress each year since.

The latest 2015 research report shows that 34% of charities collaborate in some way on service delivery, while 5% report sharing back office functions.

"For Annodata, this growing trend towards greater collaboration between not-for-profit organisations and the sharing of back-office functions holds the key towards creating a more efficient and sustainable Third Sector, and should therefore be encouraged," said Joe Doyle, Marketing Director.

"Our partnership with the SCVO means that we have seen first hand some of the challenges that the Third Sector has had to adapt to in recent years.

"Reductions in public sector funding, squeezed income from donors, and an increased demand for their services have radically changed the landscape in which they operate and necessitated the development of new operational structures.

"Many charity leaders have prioritised raising money and getting the best value in service delivery, so, to-date, collaboration has mostly occurred in these two areas.

"But, encouragingly, we are starting to see more charities sharing back-office services and infrastructure and, with levels of funding unlikely to improve any time soon, we expect this trend to continue.
 
"Back office services tend to have a uniformity between organisations - they all need print services, IT and other similar support - so it makes sense to combine these functions where possible.

"Working with managed service providers can make it easier for organisations to collaborate and secure better economies of scale. Without these additional and largely unnecessary overheads, not-for-profits can spend money where it's needed most."
 
SCVO has played a critical role supporting Scottish charities by providing services ranging from litigation, payroll services, procurement, HR to consulting on improving charity performance.

John Ferguson, Director of Development at the SCVO, added: "Establishing preferred suppliers is an important part of our work to support organisational change in the charity sector, so that they can focus on what they do best - whether that's supporting the most vulnerable people in communities across the country or conducting cutting-edge research.

"Increasing the use of shared services in the charity sector in Scotland is an important objective for us."