Alcatel goes hunting for application partners
Vendor seeks resellers that complement existing channel as end-user's technical demand broadens
Telephony vendor Alcatel is targeting application partners to help its traditional channel to expand its technical remit.
Hybrid distributor and software developer Avanquest has signed with Alcatel to support its channel with unified messaging applications.
Unified messaging, which allows users to manage email, voice and fax messages from any phone, PC or information device, is one of many areas Alcatel claimed channel partners wish to expand capabilities.
Speaking to CRN at last week’s annual Alcatel Forum in Paris, Nigel Jones, business development manager at Alcatel, said the channel is becoming more tech-savvy.
“We are introducing new application development partners to make products for the channel and take these to the customers and add value by offering a complete solution.
“The channel is shifting up a gear with the applications it offers and asking customers about their pain points,” he added.
Jones said Alcatel is keen to spark more “channel buddying” where partners can work together to gain more from customers.
“Our existing channel is doing well, but we would want more resellers to complement us, such as IT VARs which offer Microsoft and Lotus,” added Jones.
Matt Lambert, product manager at Avanquest, said: “We have done well in unified messaging and were brought on board to assist Alcatel partners.”
Lambert said working with Avanquest will give Alcatel’s resellers the creditability to operate in the unified messaging market.
Alcatel has also launched the Omni Touch Contact Center, designed for the mid-market of 20 to 150 seats. “I hope to extend Alcatel’s products into our channel and offer unified messaging, fax and text,” Lambert added.
Thierry Seignol, vice-president of communications applications at Alcatel, said the new release will provide a channel opportunity.
“OmniTouch maximises profitability for our channel and partners can install and offer configuration for the customer.”