New reseller licensed to sell MD110

Ericsson takes on Premises Networks Management as its second reseller

Ericsson has broken its reseller monopoly by certifying Premises Networks Management as the second company permitted to sell its MD110 PBX system.

Previously the only reseller from whom UK customers could purchase the hardware was Damovo.

The MD110 has proved popular because it combines the strengths of a traditional PBX with support for voice over IP traffic and cellular technology.

It also has a modular format to allow companies to expand or contract services, and offers five-nines reliability, Ericsson claimed.

"Now customers are getting a choice of service," said Maurice Lee, managing director of Premises Networks Management.

"We are direct partners with Ericsson, so we get new products and patches direct from the makers. We have sent engineers for six months' training in Sweden and Holland, and we will be audited annually by Ericsson to ensure we are up to date."

The module allows telecommuters to set up their home environment with office services, and lets resellers build in messaging services and other ancillary services such as call waiting. The Var can also carry out servicing contracts and patching.

But Damovo played down the significance of the move.

"Ericsson's decision to expand local reseller networks does not affect our alliance in any way," said Philip Taylor, vice president of partners and alliances at Damovo.

"Damovo is vendor-independent, holding partnerships with leading technology suppliers, so it does not wish to be an exclusive reseller for any one supplier. Damovo welcomes healthy competition, which ultimately allows the client more choice."