5 Telecom Updates Solution Providers Should Check Out Right Now

Viva Channel Partners

The telecom industry was abuzz with new products, services and company updates as solution providers and carriers arrived in Las Vegas this week for the Channel Partners Expo.

CRN rounded up five telecom happenings from the show that solution providers should know about.

Level 3 Unveils Security Incentive For Partners

Telecommunications provider Level 3 unveiled Security Now, an incentive for channel partners selling managed security services that's available until Sept. 30, 2017.

Security Now will give qualified partners who sell $3,000 worth of managed security services a one-time payout of $3,000. Partners must fill out an incentive intake form to qualify, according to the Broomfield, Colo.-based provider.

CenturyLink unveiled its plans to acquire Level 3 for $34 billion in October 2016.

TelePacific Becomes TPx Communications

Service provider TelePacific took to the conference to unveil its new identity, TPx Communications, a managed services provider.

The Los Angeles-based provider said its rebranding effort will reflect that the carrier has outgrown its name following its acquisition of DSCI last year. The provider is no longer solely focused on serving traditional communications services in its Western footprint. Today, TPx Communications will build its future around hosted UC, connectivity and managed IT services across the country.

TPx Communications said that managed services will drive the majority of its new business, including Office 365 support and security services.The company also said that more than half of its business will continue to come from the channel, and agent contracts will remain the same.

Nitel Hires Former Windstream Channel Chief, Makes SD-WAN, SD-Security Services Available

Managed telecom service provider Nitel said Windstream's former channel chief, Jason Dishon, has come on board as Nitel's executive vice president of sales and marketing. In his new role, he will be leading Nitel's sales, marketing and sales operations strategy and efforts, according to the company.

Nitel also said its SD-WAN and SD-Security services are now available through its channel partners and business customers. The Chicago-based provider is offering select channel partners and their business customers a 90-day SD-WAN test drive at no charge.

Nitel in February first announced its SD-WAN and SD-Security portfolio in alliance with SD-WAN provider Versa Networks.

Jive Communications Gives Partners More UC Management Features

Cloud-based UC provider Jive Communications unveiled three updates to its platform for its channel partners this week.

The cloud-based UC platform will now come equipped with Netview, a network testing and troubleshooting tool that lets partners run network compatibility checks and get troubleshooting results in real time on network problems. The next feature is Jive Business Continuity, a server-based application that allows businesses' essential phone functions to fail over in the event of an outage or service disruption. Lastly, the Zero-Touch Provisioning implementation option simplifies the new customer on-boarding process for partners.

SaaSMax Adds New Offerings To SaaS Marketplace

Distributor and cloud software marketplace SaaSMax this week said it added five new channel-friendly SaaS products for channel partners.

Joining the lineup is ClicData, which provides business intelligence and ROI visibility via a platform that natively connects to a number of platforms, including NetSuite and Facebook ads. Next is FastSensor, a SaaS-based tool that lets users analyze shopper behavior. SecureDocs is contributing two SaaS solutions -- ContractWorks, contract management software, and SecureDocs Virtual Data Room for secure document sharing and storage for financial transactions. Lastly, SaaSMax is making the Telestax WebRTC platform, Restcomm, available for partners developing and deploying real-time voice, video and messaging applications.

Channel partners can become a SaaSMax member and take advantage of the marketplace for free, according to the company.