Avaya reaches out to lower-end SME sector

Firm claims the move will boost its presence in the data channel

Telephony vendor Avaya has extended its lower-end SME portfolio, in a move the firm has claimed will boost its presence in the data channel.

The vendor’s one-X Quick Edition is a peer-to-peer phone system for locations with 20 users or fewer. The vendor claimed that the release is a plug-and-play offering that enables users to start using the system within minutes.

Paul Louden, country manager for SME business UK and Ireland at Avaya, said: “This release is good for the data channel. We want to engage the data channel and this product will see more traction here.

“Our current resellers are excited about the release and a lot of our bigger partners are thinking about ways to address the low-end market.”

Louden said the release is a small- and branch-office offering, focused on the one to 25 users’ market space, with a particular ‘sweet spot’ of the eight to 12 users segment.

“It is a plug-and-play offering and it completes the Avaya portfolio in the sub-100 extensions space,” Louden added. “Now whether you have two or 20,000 employees, Avaya should have an offering for you.

“It is also SIP-based and gives end-users a simple and cost-effective set-up,” he claimed.

Tim Freeth, Avaya business manager at distributor Nimans, said: “For resellers we have been running a number of roadshows, which include workshops and these have been received very well.

“The new release enables resellers to bring more products and services through the SIP and it also further enhances an already strong Avaya portfolio.”

Freeth added he expects virtually all of Nimans’ Avaya resellers to carry the new offering, and the distributor will also be looking to recruit new partners in 2007.

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