Hosted VoIP

XO Communications, a provider of 21st century communications for businesses and communications carriers, has formed a strategic partnership with Tech Data (News - Alert) Corporation, an IT products distributor. The two companies plan to work together to offer technology resellers advanced IP services and solutions for small and medium-sized businesses.

The terms of the agreement provide that Tech Data will provide resellers and systems integrators with XO’s converged IP voice and data services, leverage networking technologies from Cisco (News - Alert).

XO Communications expects to benefit from Tech Data’s extensive marketing resources and nationwide reseller base in an effort to further expand the sales of XO Communications’ (News - Alert) services among SMB resellers.

With this partnership, Tech Data Cisco Express, Advanced, and Master Unified Communications Specialized partners will be provided with the ability to resell XO Communications’ portfolio of IP services, include XO SIP, which provider converged voice and data services to businesses with IP-PBX (News - Alert) systems over a single, high-speed connection.

To deliver what is positioned as a cost-effective, feature-rich IP communications system, Tech Data resellers will be able to offer a bundled solution combining XO SIP Service with Cisco Unified Communications solutions.

“This is a major agreement for the XO Business Partner Channel as it brings together Tech Data’s nationwide network of resellers with XO’s leading IP services capabilities and nationwide network reach,” said Tom Gorey, director of XO Communications’ Business Partner Program, in a Monday statement.

“Tech Data will help us reach an even larger number of resellers with our industry-leading IP solutions and address their customers’ needs for converged IP solutions.”

“Tech Data provides Cisco resellers with an extensive array of dedicated sales, technical, marketing and product management support to help them profitably capitalize on the demand for the latest networking and communications solutions,” said Chuck Bartlett, Tech Data vice president, Networking Product Marketing, in Monday’s statement.

“The addition of XO Communications enables our customers to grow their revenue and enhance the value they provide end users by bundling Cisco-based solutions with reliable, enterprise-class IP voice and data services.”

“Enabling resellers to more profitably deliver Unified Communications is important to Cisco,” said Richard McLeod, Senior Director of Unified Communications Solutions for Worldwide Channels at Cisco, in Monday’s statement.

“The combination of Tech Data’s exceptional support and XO’s powerful converged IP services give channel partners a level of services and support that can help them to capitalize on new revenue opportunities.”

XO Communications is making a smart strategic move by partnering with Tech Data. As a result of this arrangement, XO will ensure that its solutions are available to a wide range of companies, especially those operating in the lucrative SMB market.

The integration with Cisco solutions also provides extended benefit through this co-branding opportunity, making this offering beneficial for Tech Data. Resellers and customers will gain significant benefit from this arrangement as it extends advanced technology offerings that improve service deliverables.

----------

Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMC and has also written for eastbiz.com. To see more of her articles, please visit Susan J. Campbell’s columnist page.

Don’t forget to check out TMCnet’s White Paper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users.

Today’s featured White Paper (News - Alert) is titled VoIP Doesn’t Require Any Phone Equipment Investment, brought to you by Accessline.