Avaya VARs to get IP Office 500 server
Communications vendor wants channel to attack sub-30 user IP telephony space
Communications vendor Avaya is poised to arm its channel with an IP telephony system to attack the sub-30 user IP telephony space.
The SIP-based IP Office 500 server, available to VARs from the end of February, comes with standard edition software aimed at the eight to 30-user market, or ‘professional’ edition software designed for 30 to 270 users.
The previous IP Office product catered for the 30 to 270 space only.
Paul Louden, SME sales director UK and Ireland at Avaya, said: “Our VARs can now compete in the sub-30-user space, where we haven’t played before and where our partners have perhaps had to carry another vendor to reach that space.”
He claimed that the products have improved and enhanced remote diagnostics, allowing the VAR to carry out maintenance work without having to send engineers on site.
Paul Blundell, managing director of VAR iQual, said the launch will allow him to reduce investment and training on rival vendors’ offerings.
“It was frustrating because I didn’t have a product I could sell to smaller customers at the right price,” he said.
Dave Smith, senior vice-president at voice over IP software vendor Swyx, which is focused on the 20 to 70 user space, said: “The SME market is where all the big guns want to get into.”