NATD in the news
911
Avaya
In the news
Leasing
Mitel
MACs
The great race
Used Cisco

NATD in the news

ADTRAN simplifies Hosted VoIP applications for SMBs
ADTRAN, Inc. announced a unique, all-in-one platform designed to simplify Hosted VoIP, Internet access and business connectivity services for Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) and distributed enterprises. The NetVanta 1355 delivers converged IP access by combining SIP gateway functionality with advanced routing, Power over Ethernet (PoE) switching, security, Layer 3 Quality of Service (QoS) and survivability features in a single platform. This solution allows carriers to deliver next-generation services and expand their service footprint by providing a unique service offering to address the fast-growing VoIP market. The NetVanta 1355 provides dynamic access to carrier IP networks allowing both SMBs and distributed enterprises to benefit from increased telephony feature sets, simplified network administration and cost savings without sacrificing voice quality or service availability. The NetVanta 1355 is powered by the ADTRAN Operating System (AOS) and includes comprehensive data and security networking features, Virtual Private Networking (VPN) and Wide Area Network (WAN) interface options including T1, Multilink T1, E1, DSL, SHDSL or Ethernet.
Visit www.adtran.com.


NATD Conference / Las Vegas
Universal Air Filter (UAF) enjoyed exhibiting and meeting most of you during the recent NATD 2007 conference in Las Vegas.  We are excited to be a new NATD member and look forward to working with you. As the OEM approved air filter manufacturer for Avaya, Nortel, Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco Systems, Adtran and many others, we have the exact replacement filters for the system.  Whether refurbishing a telecom or datacom device, maintaining and servicing your customer’s equipment, or simply stocking and reselling replacement parts, we can help.

Since the air filters should be replaced every three to six months, filters are an excellent reason for approaching a new customer, or an easy way to maintain and improve customer loyalty and satisfaction.  Air filters serve as inexpensive equipment insurance and provide the seller a perpetual revenue stream much like an insurance policy does for the insurance salesperson.  Many equipment resellers and distributors have found the air filters to be a quick and long-lasting way to generate sales revenue and increase profits.

Please e-mail us at [email protected] or call us at 800-541-3478 so we can help set you up with the parts necessary to refurbish the systems or distribute to your customers.  

Mike Miano
Universal Air Filter Company
Ph: 618-271-7300
Fx: 618-271-8808
e-mail: [email protected] ^Back To Top

911

Rosum Corporation urges awareness of reliable in-building 9-1-1 location capability
“There are multiple trends in consumer telephony today that highlight the need for reliable ‘in-building 9-1-1’ location capability,” said Skip Speaks, CEO of Rosum Corporation. Speaks noted four specific trends: the growth in wireless-only subscribers who use their wireless handset as a primary line, the growth in users of nomadic VoIP services and users of VoIP lines as a primary line, data showing the bulk of wireless 9-1-1 calls are made indoors, and the emergence of home base stations that need to be located indoors for activation and 9-1-1 purposes. Speaks continued, “As these new capabilities enter the home, they expand the definition of the home telephone. One can expect that a 9-1-1 call made over the traditional home phone connected by copper wire will result in first responders going to the right address. While substantial resources have been invested by providers of wireless and Internet telephony service to implement E9-1-1 service, it is clear that there is still work to be done to ensure that accurate, actionable location information is consistently delivered to our first responders. We encourage the Senate Commerce Committee and the Federal Communications Commission to conduct a thoughtful review of the future of 9-1-1 services, with a focus on in-building 9-1-1 performance. There is every reason for consumers to expect rapid and accurate response to 9-1-1 calls regardless of the technology they have chosen.”
Visit www.rosum.com. ^Back To Top

Avaya

Witness Systems Impact 360 Workforce Optimization solution receives additional ''Avaya Compliant'' rating
Witness Systems announced that the second generation of its Impact 360 Workforce Optimization solution is compliant with the latest release of key IP telephony and contact center solutions from Avaya. The Impact 360 Workforce Optimization solution powered by Avaya helps businesses capture customer intelligence and optimize their workforce performance. The software is one of the first applications compliance-tested by Avaya for compatibility with Avaya Communication Manager 4.0, a new release of the company's industry-leading IP telephony application that supports the distributed communication and contact center needs of today's businesses. Avaya and its Business Partners sell Impact 360 Workforce Optimization as part of the company's comprehensive contact center portfolio. Witness Systems is a member of the Avaya DeveloperConnection Program -- an initiative to develop, market and sell innovative third-party products that interoperate with Avaya technology and extend the value of a company's investment in its network.
Visit www.devconnectprogram.com.^Back To Top

In the news

Economic Smoke Signals

Does manufacturing slowdown signal economic softness ahead for tech sectors too?
North America's commercial trucking sector is reeling from a sharp decline in new orders following last year's pre-emissions buying frenzy, compounded by a weakening U.S. economy. The Financial Times reports that U.S. truck makers have encountered an even steeper slide in orders than expected. Data from ACT Research cited by the Financial Times shows new orders for Class 8 trucks were down 72% from January through March compared to last year. The downturn has had a ripple effect on the entire industry, leading to a decline in freight volume, diminishing freight rates and layoffs at most major truck manufacturers. The American Trucking Associations reported U.S. freight volume fell 1.7% in February compared to 2006, marking the eighth straight monthly decline. An analyst from ACT quoted by the Financial Times predicts that North American truck manufacturers will build only about half as many vehicles in coming months as in the second half of last year. Kenny Vieth, a partner at ACT, added that an improvement in 2008 depended heavily on an economic rebound in the second half of this year.


Foreign demand may bail out U.S. economy
Citing commentary from the chief economist at HSBC in London, Bloomberg News reported that demand from overseas is throwing a lifeline to a United States weighed down by the housing slump and weak business investment. The flagging U.S. economy may get by with a little help from its friends. Demand from overseas is throwing a lifeline to a United States weighed down by the housing slump and weak business investment. With exports accelerating and imports shrinking, trade this year may add to growth instead of subtracting from it for the first time in more than a decade.
To read the Bloomberg story in its entirety, click here.

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Leasing

IDC releases preliminary data on global IT leasing market
Preliminary data from an upcoming report by market research group IDC revealed market sizing and forecast results for the worldwide IT leasing and financing market, encompassing leasing or financing IT equipment, software and IT-related services. According to IDC, the market exceeded $70 billion worldwide in 2006, and will pass the $100 billion mark by 2010, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 8%. Among the preliminary findings, the report noted the industry's mainstay product, equipment leasing, will come under increasing pressure from expected changes in accounting treatment, heightened global competition and limited increases in IT equipment spending growth. The changing market for IT equipment leasing will be overshadowed by strong growth in financing of both IT software and services. In 2006, equipment leasing accounted for approximately 70% of the worldwide leasing and financing volume. By 2010, IDC predicts that this share will drop by about twenty percentage points, while software and services financing will comprise approximately 50% of the worldwide market.
Visit www.idc.com.
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Mitel

ITG Networks becomes Mitel North American Channel Partner
ITG Networks announced that it has been named as a North American Channel Partner by Mitel, a long-established and proven provider of hospitality-specific communications worldwide. Hotels are constantly challenged with having to provide a variety of communications services for their guests. The combination of ITG Networks proven track record for providing and supporting technology solutions to the hospitality industry and Mitel's portfolio of hospitality specific IP communications solutions will provide customers with a complete solution. This solution will help lower the total cost of ownership, improve return on investment and provide greater guest satisfaction.
Visit www.itgnetworks.com or www.mitel.com.
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Moves, adds & changes

Founder takes over Vonage in big shift
Jeffrey Citron, the controversial founder of Vonage Holdings Corp., reassumed leadership of the embattled Internet-phone company and unveiled steep cost cuts as the carrier sought to limit damage from a legal battle with Verizon Communications Inc. Vonage said Michael Snyder, the former chief executive, resigned and that Citron would take over on an interim basis. The company also unveiled what several financial analysts called disappointing first-quarter results. Citron immediately announced plans to cut marketing costs by $110 million in 2007, to $310 million. Vonage also said it would reduce other expenses by $30 million annually. Vonage is under pressure to improve its financial performance after the company lost a patent lawsuit to Verizon last month. The company has already been ordered to pay Verizon $58 million for damages and royalties of 5.5% for violating three patents. The federal judge presiding over the case in Alexandria, Va., ordered Vonage to stop adding new customers. A few hours later, however, a U.S. appeals court issued a stay that allows Holmdel, N.J.-based Vonage to continue to do business as usual until an appeal is heard.
Visit www.vonage.com.
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The great race

Nortel, Cisco: The SMB battle is just beginning
The battle between Cisco and Nortel is just getting started. Only days after Cisco Systems launched its small and midsize business [SMB] initiative, rival Nortel Networks is ready to throw some counter punches. Nortel hopes to make lots of noise with a series of new SMB solutions spanning both voice and data. Details about the announcement remain sketchy, but the timing for Nortel's SMB campaign -- dubbed "My Business" -- couldn't be better. Cisco grabbed the SMB spotlight earlier this month by unveiling the Smart Business Communications System [SBCS] and Select Certification. SBCS is a unified communications platform for small businesses; Select certification is an entry-level certification for SMB channel partners. Now, Nortel will counter-attack with "enhanced SMB packaged solutions supporting a wide range of users at affordable prices," notes one tipster. Nortel is worth watching, partly because of the unified communications partnership with Microsoft. It's not a perfect relationship, but it potentially gives Nortel access to Microsoft's vast network of integrators and VARs. But will Microsoft partners recommend Nortel's networking gear rather than Cisco's? Cisco says it has a big lead over Microsoft and Nortel in unified communications. It's hard to argue with a company that's Number 1 in about a dozen tech markets. Still, Nortel is aggressively questioning Cisco's claims at every opportunity.
Visit www.nortel.com or www.cisco.com.
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Used Cisco

Network Hardware Resale expands management team
Network Hardware Resale (NHR) announced a newly expanded management team to fuel continued business growth. Glenn Fassett, a long-time NHR executive, has transitioned from the company's European headquarters to Singapore, where NHR is anchoring its new Asia-Pacific operation. As the new general manager of Asia-Pacific, Fassett will leverage his international experience and outstanding sales record to accelerate business throughout the region. NHR has welcomed onboard Robert Wolthuis, who succeeds Fassett in heading the company's European operations from its Amsterdam office. As the general manager of EMEA, Wolthuis will apply his experience as a business entrepreneur, venture capitalist and investment banker to sustain market momentum throughout Europe. NHR also has announced that Bryan Siever has been promoted to general manager of the Americas, following his tenure as the company's vice president of sales. An industry veteran who joined the company in 2005, Siever has more than a decade of sales management and organizational development experience. Additionally, CFO Karen Anne Platt has added the duties of chief operating officer to her responsibilities. A certified public accountant with more than two decades of experience, Platt joined the company as CFO in 2000 and has played a major role in guiding NHR's financial growth and global business best practices. Earlier this month, NHR announced 2006 revenues of $138 million, representing a 31 percent year-over-year growth rate.
Visit www.networkhardware.com.
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