channel news

Posted: 01/2005

channel news

IPtimize Acquires DTT

Managed VoIP services provider IPtimize Inc. has acquired the assets of Denver-based Digital Telecom & Technology (DTT). DTT, a provider of IP telecom systems and IP integration services to businesses, specializes in IP phone systems from Toshiba, Nortel and Avaya. The company is Colorado's largest Toshiba phone dealer.

DTT CEO Rus Withers is joining IPtimize as vice president of national accounts, while Michael Dozier, vice president of sales and operations for DTT, becomes COO for IPtimize.

"DTT's local and national customer base and expertise in IP phones is complementary to our hosted VoIP solution," says John R. Evans, chairman and CEO of IPtimize. "We know that having both networkand hardware-based VoIP solutions provide customers with a greater range of choices as they migrate to this next wave of communications."

IPtimize now offers stand-alone IP and hybrid IP phone systems that allow businesses a VoIP migration path at their own pace, without abandoning investments in existing voice equipment.

IPtimize's core product is Voice Pilot, a network-based VoIP application that runs over an existing broadband connection. It is available as an SIP-enabled handset, an analog handset or a soft phone.

Consultedge Named Avaya Platinum BusinessPartner

Consultedge Inc. has been named a Platinum BusinessPartner by Avaya Inc. The Platinum certification is the highest Avaya offers, and designates a recipient as having met rigorous criteria to ensure technical competency and strong customer service and support.

Consultedge sells Avaya communications systems to businesses in California, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York and South Carolina.

"Avaya's certification program is an avenue that allows us to clearly state our commitment to our current and future clients," says Neal Stanton, president and CEO of Consultedge. "We have continually invested in hiring, training and retaining only the best and brightest personnel to ensure that we meet our clientele's loftiest of expectations."

To achieve the Platinum rating, Consultedge had to meet customer satisfaction ratings of 85 percent or higher, and certify that employees had completed courses and passed an exam to earn the "Avaya Certified Specialist" designation.

"Through its commitment to certification, Consultedge has proven its tremendous value both to Avaya and its customers - commitment to the continuous development of their support and technical expertise and to the consistent delivery of superior customer service," says Todd Meister, vice president of North America Channels for Avaya.

DevSource Joins AltiGen Partner Program

Kentucky-based DevSource, a business technology solutions provider, has partnered with AltiGen Communications Inc., a manufacturer of IP PBX telephone systems and IP contact centers. DevSource will sell AltiGen's IP PBX telephony solutions in western Kentucky and Charlotte, N.C. The company provides solutions for industries including disaster recovery, networking and telecommunications, traditional PBX, VoIP and custom software development.

"We are excited to join the AltiGen Communications reseller team," says Mike Hopkins, COO of DevSource. "Our partnership with AltiGen Communications provides us with a tremendous VoIP product offering. The telecom requirements of our customers are changing and we needed a comprehensive solution that is powerful and affordable to offer our customers."

DevSource has been in business for more than three years.

Zultys, nexVortex Partner on IP Technology

Zultys Technologies, which makes VoIP products and runs a VAR program, has partnered with nexVortex, an IP service provider in northern Virginia, to help businesses interconnect VoIP with analog or ISDN circuits more efficiently outside of the enterprise.

Zultys says companies using its products now can link directly to the nexVortex service to make IP calls from a business, using the open standard SIP. Zultys supports this capability on its media exchanges, the MX25 and the MX250.

The partnership does not require additional hardware, the companies say. Existing installations can upgrade the MX software to version 2.2 to support calling outside the enterprise. An MX250 can simultaneously connect to the legacy PSTN and the ITSP, to offer the user preferences in call routing.

Zultys says the agreement gives its channel partners a way to help businesses create better IP communications systems. The offering relies on a "pay as you go" model, businesses are not required to pay a setup fee for the service and there are no monthly minimums. Users can access information and reports through a Web portal.

"Our channel partners can now offer the best IP PBX to a customer along with the best solution for phone service," says Iain Milnes, president of Zultys Technologies. "With this combination, a business is implementing VoIP within the business, as well as VoIP to the outside. This is the way of the future."

NEC to Provide CPE Services to Level 3 Partners

NEC Unified Solutions Inc., an integrated communications provider, has signed an agreement with Level 3 Communications LLC to become a preferred provider of CPE fulfillment services to Level(3)Enabled Partners in North America who are reselling the company's (3)Tone Business VoIP service.

The deal means (3)ToneBusiness resellers have access to NEC's IP communications products and services - including site surveys, IP assessments, implementation and installation, and monitoring and management - at competitive prices, NEC says. In turn, end users will save money, have access to more VoIP features, and receive customized service and support.

"Level 3 and NEC joined forces to provide an alternative to end-user customers looking for a less complex and more cost-effective choice in hosted IP solutions," says Charlie Langdon, senior vice president of sales for NEC Unified Solutions. " ... [T]his revolutionary distribution model ... enables resellers to strengthen their position in the IP market and differentiate themselves from their competition."