5i wants more resellers for expanding services

Communications consultancy 5i has kicked off a reseller recruitment drive after expanding the range of services available through its partner programme.

The firm, which works exclusively through the channel, provides services around Cisco and Microsoft convergence technology.

Peter Howells, managing director of 5i, said he was looking to double 5i’s channel network to about 50 active partners after adding several new services, including a managed service for unified communications (UC).

“We want virtual network operators that require additional skills sets, Microsoft resellers that want to extend their portfolio into voice and data or voice VARs that lack niche skills in areas such as presence or fixed-mobile convergence,” he said. “UC is becoming more complex, so there are many VARs out there with skills shortages.”

Howells claimed that 5i differed from conventional ‘body shoppers’ because it engages with partners from the start of the sales cycle. Plus, he claimed, for every pound that 5i makes on a deal, partners typically make £9 on additional services, equipment and infrastructure.

Jo Berry, sales director at VAR CNT, which uses 5i to provide the UC component of its IT projects, said: “Everyone is looking at UC, but it is a nightmare to add to your basket.

“Because the industry is so fast-paced and UC is very complex, you need to be a specialist to deal with it. 5i is different in that convergence solutions are all it does.”

Andy King, UC systems engineer manager at Cisco UK and Ireland, said: “UC is an important enabler in any IT business and it is important to have partners such as 5i that understand how to sell, develop and manage those systems.”

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