Alianza (News - Alert) provides a hosted, fully-integrated IP-based platform for delivering Unified Communications Applications via SaaS for Broadband Service Providers. Value-added applications include VoIP, hosted PBX, IVR, integrated messaging, conferencing, and much more. I had the opportunity to catch up with Michael Alvarez, director of marketing at Alianza, who shared with me his insights into the industry.

 

 

MA: Two things come to mind:

1)      The launch of the Alianza PowerPlatform, which enables Broadband Service Providers to launch private-labeled VoIP and Unified Communications (News - Alert) solutions in less than 30 days, with no capital expenditures.

2)      Closing of a new Service Provider client who’s turned his back on a $1Million+ investment on an Asterisk-based voice solution to go with our platform.

MA: We will have closed and migrated more than 50 Broadband Service Provider contracts and clients, each having between 2,000 and 50,000 voice subscribers. In addition, we are launching the Unified Communications Exchange (UCX), Alianza’s API set and development platform for creating value-added, Web-based services to extend and enhance voice services running on the PowerPlatform.

MA: Greater expectations by the end-user (consumers) for on-demand and value-added communication services, which will fuel the growth for relevant technology. Hosted and IP-based Software-as-a-Service applications will also become the most sought-after technologies in communications. Further integration of services that joint voice, video, data, and messaging.

 

MA: SIP is an industry standard and we are SIP-compliant. It hasn’t changed our business, it is our business. We plan to launch a host of services, including presence and video integration in the near future. In essence, SIP enables a variety of services today and will enable future value-added services to create a robust UC solution.

MA: We are increasing our sales efforts in the U.S. and Canada in 2008 and expect to grow most in these two regions. We also continue to maintain our sales efforts in Latin America.

 

RT: Do you see the large service providers like Verizon (News - Alert), AT&T and cable companies as allies or enemies?

MA: Allies. They could potentially leverage our technology to provide Unified Communications services to their end users.

Our core product offering is based on a Web-based, hosted, software-as-a-service model. As such, the customer is not tasked with managing on-premise devices that tend to go obsolete.

MA: There will be more triple and quadruple play providers (providers of 3 and 4 types of services). There will be consolidation among technology providers and Service Providers.

MA: Visitors can see a demonstration of the Alianza PowerPlatform and how easily it can be private labeled. We can discuss the Return on Investment (ROI) resulting from partnering to offer voice services with our solution. We can talk about layering value-added services on top of a traditional VoIP offering to increase margins and customer stickiness.

MA: Broadband Service Providers looking for a turn-key, private label VoIP/Unified Communications solution for their end users (residential and small and medium businesses).

MA: In comparison to other providers of VoIP solutions, Alianza has four principal competitive advantages:

Unified Communications is core to Alianza’s strategy. We are more efficient and effective than any other provider that develops an IP telephony platform as a secondary line of business. We also believe we are better than most providers who develop IP telephony solutions as a primary business activity. Alianza believes that once a Service Provider accepts this type of strategic position, they can become highly productive in their core business while outsourcing and partnering with Alianza that which is core to Alianza.

 

MA: The facts are that VoIP has become a commodity and end-users are constantly evolving and requiring more sophistication in their services. Service Providers that don’t make the transition to Unified Communications will fade away due to slimming margins and lack of customer loyalty or be acquired at a low valuation point.