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Esna gives Google channel chance to fight Microsoft Lync

Software-based UC player hits UK market and looks to rapid growth with Google Premier channel

The Google Apps channel is being given the chance to go toe to toe with Microsoft Lync as software-based comms vendor Esna Technologies looks to make waves in the UK market.

The 23-year-old Canadian vendor recently landed its first feet on the street in the UK and is now courting the top tier of Google resellers as it looks to deepen its footprint across Europe. First to sign up is Bracknell-based Ancoris, which has been a staunch Google partner since the search giant first launched its reseller programme in 2009.

Ancoris managing director David McLeman said: "We have just started having conversations with some of our larger customers and are hoping to get a really good attach rate."

Esna claims customers opt for its solution, rather than competitors such as Microsoft Lync and Cisco Jabber, as it interoperates with new and legacy hardware and software technologies from all the major comms vendors.

Davide Petramala, executive vice president of sales and business development at the vendor, claimed the Nortel installed base was particularly fruitful hunting ground for his firm.

"There is a large Nortel base and a lot of their apps are end of life. They would rather go with Esna because they can retain Nortel," he said.

Petramala added that the swathes of enterprise customers in need of an email upgrade provide Esna with the chance to sell a full UC suite.

"About 70 or 80 per cent of the market is on old email, and in 2012-2013 people will be migrating," he explained.

Esna EMEA president Mehdi Nezarati added: "Currently Google only represents three per cent of the enterprise email market. That is going to grow to 60 per cent by 2020."