Nimans will carry the vendor’s Swyxware product, which is a software-based unified communications (UC) platform. Swyx is also distributed in the UK by Computerlinks and MTV Telecom.

Nimans’ chairman Julian Nimans said: “This is the first significant step for us to move from what is hardware-driven technology into a software environment.”

Phil Adams, systems sales director for Nimans, stressed that hardware revenues were important to his company. “Adding Swyx is a natural progression for us to address a wider product portfolio,” he said.

Swyx’s senior vice president for sales and marketing, Ralf Ebbinghaus, claimed the Nimans deal would not affect the vendor’s relationship with its distributors.

“We are quite satisfied with both our distributors, Computerlinks in the data field and MTV in the PBX market. What was missing was the geographical coverage,” he said. “We are very excited to work with Nimans and the others to increase our foothold in the UK market.”

Jess Thompson Hughes, managing director of telecoms distributor React Technologies, stated that companies need a broader approach to voice over IP.

“There is a place for software only and we have a solution in our portfolio. But in the enterprise business space you need a phone. Software only is not the answer,” he said.