Comms Dealer

essensys has been named in the Gartner Cool Vendors in the European Cloud Computing Market 2015 report.

essensys has been selected by Gartner for its cloud orchestration platform, Bluefin, which allows for the automation of a range of IT processes, as well as for JEFF, its front-end interface.

The Bluefin orchestration engine and JEFF user interface were built from the ground up to enable the provisioning, management and monitoring of IT services across all layers (from infrastructure to applications), in a single environment.

"To be recognised as a true innovator in the European cloud space is a huge honour," said Mark Furness, CEO, essensys.

"essensys is at the centre of a number of meta-trends that are now driving business technology, including IT as a service, process and workflow automation and user self-service.

"Cloud solutions such as essensys' are redefining how people think about, resell and consume IT and digital services."

Dartford-based ISP Astro Communications has completed the roll out of a new MPLS network and data centre migration project for restaurant chain TGI Fridays UK.

Astro has had a longstanding partnership with TGI Fridays for the supply and management of the wireless network for its restaurants and support centre, and after competing in a formal tender process late last year has been awarded a three year contract for the supply and management of the WAN and the centralised data centre services.

With a range of connectivity types including Ethernet, FTTC and ADSL, many backed up by 3G failover, the TGI Fridays WAN delivers all essential services to the restaurants including payment traffic, supplier orders, internal team communication via the intranet and hosted VoIP voice traffic along with the usual services of email and web browsing.

The WAN and infrastructure in the primary and secondary data centres along with the shared services centre (Head office) are monitored 24×7 by the Astro Network Operations Centre (NOC) and a granular and bespoke alerting process has been put in place to ensure that the maximum available uptime and minimum disruption to the network is guaranteed.

Jeremy Dunderdale, Head of IT for TGI Fridays UK, said: "Combining the provision and management of all our services and infrastructure through Astro has enabled us to have better visibility of the service we offer and simplify troubleshooting of any issue.

"We are able to fully monitor and manage all issues and improvements within our infrastructure through the close relationship of a single partner. The drivers for change were a combination of a need for an improved level of service, an improved network performance and reduced total cost of ownership."

Steve Hodges, MD of Astro Communications, added: "The performance of the infrastructure and the managed service are living up to the expectations we set with TGI Fridays, and I am looking forward to a long-term working relationship with them and transitioning more services over the network as TGI Fridays continues to grow in the UK."

Exertis is to exclusively launch the new LG G4 'premium' smartphone into the UK, a device designed for the top end of the market with a strong emphasis on the visual experience.

The premium Android 5.1 Lollipop smartphone will be available from the end of May in the UK from distributor, Exertis, and select high street and network operator LG partners.

Simon Woodman, Exertis Mobile Sales Director, said: "Its photographic capabilities will make the G4 a sure-fire hit with users interested in taking more than just snaps, while the handcrafted leather casing, beautiful design and business features mean its set to be an executive favourite."

Andrew Coughlin, Head of Mobile at LG Electronics for the UK and Ireland, added: "We see this smartphone being popular with a multitude of users, from consumer through to business.

"Over time, smartphones have become slabs of flat metal. We wanted to create a smartphone that was more natural than that, so we put the user at the centre of the G4. This isn't about chasing after technology for technology's sake, this is about innovation for a better life."

Service provider VoIP.co.uk has embarked on a partner recruitment campaign following the launch of a new partner programme.

The company aims to on-board traditional telecoms, IT and security partners in a move that coincides with the launch of a new UC suite and a drive to boost sales of its SIP Encrypt solution, a compliant VoIP offering that meets Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards.  
 
The revamped partner programme recognises the need for telecommunications to be further integrated with IT and information security properly considered, to ensure a business is protected from security threats, according to Chris Harding, Channel Director.

He said: "Our new partner programme will see us extend our reach through the creation of regional hubs across the UK in addition to continuing to work with our existing partners. 

"We are aiming to bring the UK up to the same standard as other countries, such as Denmark, where ISDN is dead. 

"For that to happen, IT and information security managers need to ensure telecoms is included as part of their overall strategy and not treated as a stand alone service." 
 
VoIP.co.uk is providing free sales and technical training to existing and new partners to support a tiered programme consisting of Referral Registered, Referral Accredited and Gold partners.   

The tiered approach will reflect the breadth of knowledge and service offering provided by the partner in addition to training received from VoIP.co.uk, noted Harding.
 
Accredited and Gold partners will also be offered a sales toolkit and 24-hour technical support will continue to be provided to all partners, irrespective of size and level business.
 
VoIP.co.uk has recently acquired Danish unified communications firm, Firstcom, in addition to Teleforte, a traditional telecoms firm based in Germany with offices throughout Europe. 
 
Adam Crisp, VoIP.co.uk's Co-founder and CTO, added: "Although we have an aggressive expansion plan across Europe, the UK is still very much a key focus.

"The accelerating growth of our cloud services is because of our new generation improved service that is fully integrated with wider communications and completely secure.

"There is so much potential for us and our channel partners in the UK and we intend to build on our existing and new alliances."
 
The company's expanded product portfolio will allow partners to treat VoIP.co.uk as a one-stop-shop for unified communications needs.

The cloud security services market grew 13.5% in 2014 to $7.2bn worldwide, up from $6.3bn the previous year, says Infonetics Research.

"Our long-term outlook for the already very large cloud and CPE (Customer-premises equipment) managed security services market, especially for cloud services, is quite strong as providers begin to leverage their software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualisation (NFV) rollouts to really scale the delivery of managed security services," said Jeff Wilson, research director for cybersecurity technology.

"Providers are leaning heavily on SDN and the promise of NFV, and this will help them deliver a wide range of new security services that leverage virtual appliances for protecting applications, data and infrastructure in their own clouds, and delivering new services to customers," Wilson said.

Managed security service revenue totalled $15.8bn worldwide in 2014, rising 10% from 2013. Cloud-based offerings made up 46% of security service revenue in 2014, with CPE-based services contributing 54%. By 2018, Infonetics/IHS expects cloud security services to surpass CPE-based security services.

The largest contributor to cloud-based security service revenue is content security, followed by managed firewall services, other security services, distributed denial of service (DDoS) mitigation and intrusion detection/prevention systems.

A team of 18 staff from Pennine Telecom led by Account Manager Nick Simister is to take part in the Salford Dragon Boat Festival and raise funds for Bury Hospice.

The Pennine Pirates will compete in three races in a bid to reach the Grand Final of the event which takes place at Salford Quays on Sunday 31st May.

Originating from China and still very much celebrated in many communities in East Asia, dragon boat racing sees teams paddling traditional longboats to the pulse set by a drummer who stands at the rear of the craft.

"I've sailed once off the coast of Tenerife and was violently sick," said Simister. "However, I'm expecting the Salford Quays waters to be a little more forgiving than the Atlantic."

The Pennine Pirates hope to raise £1,000 for the hospice which Pennine Telecom has long supported through fundraising and sponsorship activities.

The first business to specifically help resellers enter the burgeoning Machine to Machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) market has opened its doors. Pangea has been launched by former Head of Partners and Strategy of O2 Wholesale Dan Cunliffe (pictured) with backing from experienced channel investors. They aim to be the leading provider of SMART global connectivity and apps to the M2M and IoT market.

Cunliffe says a 'stellar team' has been assembled to bring the market to life with innovative connectivity options as well as a wealth of applications.

He said: "We have invested well over six figures in this market on infrastructure and capabilities to give our partners the edge on a global scale.

"Pangea offers two propositions to support and drive revenue for our partners underpinned by the Pangea Portal which drives provisioning, billing and diagnostics, and is fully stocked with APIs if required."

For resellers wanting a SMART global connectivity partner in the mobile data space Pangea offers a simple proposition that fits with existing and new solutions.

Its second proposition offers turnkey solutions that partners can white label or sell as a dealer directly to their market via existing distribution methods.

"This proposition includes a nationwide CCTV solution, a sophisticated Fleet and Telematics management solution and a Mobile Wide Area Network offering, with more options available as we progress," commented Cunliffe.

"We also understand the ability to offer these services as either a public or private service and can support resellers with both of these options."

Pangea has already secured several partner relationships, large fleet management companies and some innovative market players to use its network and solutions.

"The channel's response has been great and we are in talks with several more leading players in the market to seize the opportunity," added Cunliffe.

"People who have worked with us in the past have shown that same level of support for Pangea, hence we have been able to demonstrate our capability across a variety of sectors."

Paul Richens, Co-Founder at Tricca Consulting, added: "Working with the team in the past was a great experience. We are focused on providing best in class project and programme management for our clients who are across various industries. We are looking forward to introducing the Pangea M2M solutions to some of these clients."

Jonathan Sheridan, MD at Converged Coms, added: "The IoT and M2M opportunity is everywhere, and having spent time with the team at Pangea we have started to see the opportunity become a reality.

"We are excited about partnering with Pangea to seize more of this market."

Cunliffe enthused: "This is a truly special time for mobile connectivity and solutions on a global scale."

Virgin Media Business has marked Flexible Working Awareness Day by calling on companies to provide employees with the tools they need to enable them to work effectively outside of the office.

Organisations across the UK have the power to boost performance by embracing digital, says the firm.

Research conducted by Virgin Media Business last year found that 81% of workers believe that being able to work remotely increases their productivity.

Yet many are still not doing so, despite the knowledge that businesses that make it easy for staff to work flexibly are also likely to see an increase in loyalty. 84% of people surveyed said that allowing remote working shows that a company trusts and values their work.

To take full advantage of the benefits digital has to offer, organisations need to equip staff with the tools they need to work from anywhere at any time, says Virgin.

Duncan Higgins, Marketing Director, Virgin Media Business, said: "Technology connects companies and employees in the globalised world. Yet these digital advancements also mean that global competition is more significant than ever before for UK businesses.

"Providing employees with the right tools, be they unified communications, mobility or secure, remote access, to work flexibly around both their personal and professional needs will not only transform productivity but it will also allow businesses to take on their biggest competitors, both nationally and internationally."

Cloud robotics will lead to the development of smart robots that have higher computing efficiency and consume less power, claims new analysis from Frost & Sullivan.

These attributes will drive down the cost of manufacturing as there is less hardware and also result in lower emissions.

Innovations in cloud robotics have gained significant momentum, with initiatives by large companies such as Google and IBM and the engagement of research institutes in several active projects around the world. The need to develop robots that rank high on performance and accessibility has been the key focus in research activities.

"As cloud robotics moves beyond its nascent stage, numerous applications of these technologies will come to the fore," noted Technical Insights Research Analyst Debarun Guha Thakurta. "For the moment, healthcare, transportation, consumer robotics and manufacturing are areas that can benefit from the use of shared resources and the elimination of the need to manage or update robotics software."

Considering the prevalence of cloud computing technology and smart phones/tablets, the consumer robotics market will witness strong growth. In fact, cloud robotics will be a catalyst for the emergence of a mainstream consumer robot marketplace, reckons Frost & Sullivan.

The major challenge for market participants, however, is the high dependence of cloud robotics on active Internet connectivity for processing any function. In areas of limited or no connectivity, robots powered by the cloud are unable to function effectively and respond promptly in critical situations.

"The convergence of cloud robotics with big data, context-aware computing and high-speed ubiquitous wireless networks, along with the use of advanced wireless sensors, could solve connectivity issues that slow response times," said Technical Insights Research Analyst Mousumi Dasgupta.

"Operations that require the execution of tasks in real-time will also need service-oriented robots with on-board processing capabilities."

Fewer, but larger deals are being favoured for European venture capital investment, says Dow Jones in its latest study of deals in the first quarter of 2015.

European companies raised 2.6bn euro in venture capital for 345 deals during 1Q 2015, an increase of 41% in the amount raised from 4Q 2014 despite a 5% slide in the number of deals completed. Consumer Services was the strongest sector of the quarter in terms of attracting investment with Business and Financial Services in second.

Information Technology was placed third, with companies in the sector gathering 16% of the total amount invested for the quarter. The sector received 436m euro across 75 deals; a rise of 65% and 1% from 4Q 2014 in capital invested and deal flow respectively. 

49 venture-backed M&As took place in Europe during 1Q 2015, up 7% from 4Q 2014 but down 6% on the figure for 1Q 2014. 12 venture-backed IPOs took place during 1Q 2015, two more than those seen in the prior quarter and four more than the listings for VC-backed companies completed in the year ago period.

Germany was the most favoured destination for equity financing during 1Q 2015, receiving €921m across 64 deals. The country took 35% of all equity financing for the quarter, tripling its 4Q 2014 investment total.

The United Kingdom placed second, attracting a 34% share of European financing. Investment rose by 54% from the prior quarter to total €886m while deal flow increased by 16%.

France occupies third position raising €292m, 11% of the total for the quarter. Austria rose to fourth position with a 7% share, raising €173m during 1Q 2015.