Konftel to maintain channel strategy

Audio conferencing vendor claims acquisition by Avaya will benefit dealers

Konftel’s chief executive has assured partners that the audio conferencing vendor’s channel strategy will not change in the wake of its $15m acquisition by communications giant Avaya.

Konftel operates a pure two-tier channel strategy, working through Nimans and Trust Distribution in the UK.

Konftel chief executive Peter Renkel said the Swedish firm currently boasts 35 per cent share of the European tabletop audio conferencing market - trailing only Polycom. He argued its acquisition by Avaya, announced today, would benefit dealers.

“This gives us a better technology base for new products," he told CRN. "Avaya has around 5,000 patents we can use and more engineering resources we can use in our product development."

Avaya axed Nimans from its distribution line-up in November, but Renkel said Konftel would continue working with the Mancunian distributor under its new owner. “We won’t change anything,” he said.

Through its OmniSound brand, Konftel provides audio collaboration devices ranging from desktop conference units to conference room systems and large auditorium implementations.

Alan Baratz, senior vice president of Global Communications Solutions at Avaya, said that OmniSound would form a key element of Avaya’s audio and video proposition, including its recently announced Avaya Flare Experience.

“The acquisition of Konftel represents a logical step in Avaya's drive to lead in business collaboration,” he said.