Zed-3 gears up for UK debut

Zed-3's Milnes returns with new modular gateway device

Milnes: The GS8 is a unique product fitting a variety of different applications.

IP telephony vendor Zed-3, spearheaded by channel veteran Iain Milnes, is set to launch its GS8 modular gateway product in the UK next month.

Milnes has operated only in the US, Asia and the Middle East since losing control of Zultys in 2006. Zed-3’s UK launch, scheduled for earlier this year, has been delayed as its phones contravene EU regulations by using lead as a solder.

Milnes claimed he has lined up a UK country manager and has received positive feedback on his product from UK resellers and distributors. “This is a unique product as it allows users to connect their PBX to GSM or CDMA networks,” said Milnes. “It fits a variety of applications.”

He added he is looking for two distributors and 30 resellers and hopes to generate in excess of £500,000 turnover in Zed-3’s first year in the UK.

“I am never going to be as well-known as Cisco or Avaya, but Zultys needed to charge the same as them as the products were incredibly high-level technology,” he said. “Customers needed to be convinced. We were two or three years ahead, but I do not think Zultys has carried on that innovation and development.”

Keith Reading, managing director of Zultys reseller QoLcom, said: “I am always interested in new, innovative products and because Iain is that kind of guy, if he calls me, we will look at the new product.

“With Zultys he spread himself too thin and tried to conquer the global market when he should have picked off countries.”