FreshTL goes global with LotusLive
IBM Business Partner is first UK ISV to have its TeamPoint application integrated into LotusLive
IBM partner FreshTL has scored a UK first by getting its TeamPoint business compliance application integrated into the vendor's LotusLive platform.
The Manchester-based ISV/VAR is one of just a dozen global partners to make the initial cut, along with the likes of SugarCRM, Skype, Salesforce.com and Cast Iron.
John McGuire, chief executive of FreshTL (pictured), said the accolade opens up a world of opportunity. "We are a small and young company in Manchester and as a result of this we are getting enquiries from across the globe - in just two weeks we have had calls from Australia and across Europe - it is fantastic.
"We are the first firm outside North America to be awarded this and it is a massive achievement for the business considering we are a small company in comparison to the others."
McGuire said FreshTL submitted its app to IBM about 12 months ago and it has gone through a rigorous testing and evaluation process to be selected. The application tracks and manages the creation of a user's controlled documents and helps them remain compliant with employment law, health and safety regulations and standards such as ISO 9001.
It also allows firms to capture an employee's acceptance of key policies and procedures. FreshTL is now on the hunt for a channel of its own to help it resell the app and is appealing for both VARs and distributors that are keen to get ahead in the cloud, to get in touch.
"We are looking across multiple sectors - business compliance is a very broad subject," he said. "We are desperate to find partners so we can pass on leads. It is an unusual situation to be in. They can be a reseller just establishing a cloud business, or one already with a cloud business, and if there is an open-minded distributor that is keen to add to its cloud offerings, we would love to hear from them too."
McGuire said the IBM accolade has also opened up doors for the company to expand and take on more staff. "Business compliance is such a broad area and the application will constantly need updating and developing, so we will be raising additional funds to expand," he said.
To find out more about TeamPoint and how to partner, click here.
IBM also praised FreshTL's achievement and encouraged other firms to get in touch.
Mark Barrett, business partner software sales leader, IBM UK and Ireland, said: "We are very pleased to see FreshTL launch their LotusLive Integrated Application, TeamPoint for document and process compliance."
"We work closely with our Business Partners to help them integrate with and leverage the LotusLive services and provide functionally rich, complementary offerings," he added. "We are keen to have more of our Business Partners approach us with their ideas for applications to integrate with LotusLive. If you're out there and you have an idea, do get in touch with us. "