GlobalConnect gets Avaya gold stamp

Avaya has given a gold star to local communications integrator, GlobalConnect, as part of a rejig of its premier partners.

GlobalConnect managing director, Peter Jayaseelan, said it had been working towards achieving gold partner status since establishing an office in Australia in October 2004. Criteria required included customer references, revenue targets and technical certifications.

The company's internal goal was to have 100 per cent of staff certified in Avaya technologies. This figure currently sat at about 90 per cent, he said.

GlobalConnect has 40 employees locally.

"Gold certification is a tick in the box to say we have all the right ingredients in place," Jayaseelan said.

GlobalConnect's Indian-based parent company, Avaya GlobalConnect, is 59 per cent owned by Avaya. Despite its vested interest in the company, Avaya local channel manager, Peter Dillon, said it had squashed concerns that it would be favoured over its other partners.

"The direct concern has been raised before. We have spent a lot of time explaining that we will treat GlobalConnect as an indepenent business partner," he said. "All are treated equally on leads and pricing."

GlobalConnect's appointment is part of a shake-up of Avaya's top tier Australian partners. In March, the vendor announced existing integrator and gold partner, NSC Group, had been awarded platinum partner status. At the same time, Avaya parted ways with one of its longest serving and largest partners, Touchbase. The company was registered as a gold partner at the time.

While comfortable with its small but specialist band of certified partners, Dillon said he would like to see more systems integrators and solution providers come on-board to extend its customer reach.

He said its demand for high level skill sets and an Avaya-centric sales focus was difficult to obtain locally.

Avaya was also holding discussions with its local distributor, IPL Group, to expand its product offerings via distribution, Dillon said. The decision was prompted by the forthcoming release of its MultiVantage Express IP telephony product targeted at the mid-market. They were due to arrive next month.

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