CENTRAL TELECOM GOES PLATINUM WITH AVAYA'S LEADING ACCREDITATION STATUS
Avaya Inc, a leading global provider of communications networks and services for businesses, today announced that it has awarded systems integrator, Central Telecom its Platinum business partner status. This is the highest level of accreditation for a business partner and makes Central Telecom one of only two Avaya business partners with Platinum status in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The accreditation was awarded to Central Telecom after rigorous assessment of its support for customers, and certification and sales of Avaya systems. This caps the most successful 12 month period in Central Telecoms' history where it achieved sales of over £20 million.
This coveted accreditation underlines Central Telecom's in-depth understanding of implementing Avaya's IP telephony systems and applications to provide excellent service for its multi-national customer base. The accreditation provides Central Telecom with a number of benefits including: lead referrals for strategic projects such as enterprise contact centre implementations; priority access to bring customers to Avaya's pan-EMEA Business Convergence centre to demonstrate the latest convergence technologies; and additional training for pre-sales staff.
To achieve Platinum business partner status, Central Telecom was required to meet Avaya's assessment criteria across its four offices in Burton-on-Trent, London, Guildford and Manchester. The criteria covered three main areas:
Business commitment - Central Telecom was required to meet revenue targets and maintain certain levels of inventory of Avaya systems. The company exceeded the revenue target for Avaya systems over the last 12 months.
Customer support - Central Telecom was evaluated on-site over a two-day period by an Avaya Service Assessment Team. Key assessment components included: systems and processes; general field applications; installation and project management; operational performance; spares management; and logistics and;
Individual certification - Central Telecom was required to demonstrate specific numbers of Avaya certified engineers qualified at the trainee, specialist and professional levels on the Avaya suite of systems, applications and services. Central Telecom has over 125 Avaya-trained engineers who have implemented a range of IP telephony systems and applications tailored to vertical sectors from finance to government.
"To be only the second company in EMEA to be awarded Platinum business partner status reflects the strength of our relationship with Avaya and demonstrates our sales expertise and exceptional commitment to quality and customer care," commented Central Telecom's business development director, Spencer Bradshaw.
Clive Sawkins, vice-president for Avaya in the UK and Ireland said: "Over the last 12 months, Central Telecom has implemented hundreds of Avaya systems for customers large and small from Centrica to e-Business integrator, Differentis. This is a significant achievement and highlights Central Telecom's understanding and expertise in its local markets as well as converged communication systems which give a great advantage for businesses - particularly in the current, tough economy where effective communication and service for customers is critical."
Central Telecom supplies the following products from Avaya's portfolio of IP telephony systems, communications software applications and services: ECLIPS converged communication system and MultiVantageT software for larger organisations; AvayaT IP Office and INDeX™ converged communication systems for SMEs; wireless systems; Multimedia Contact Center™; Predictive Dialling System™; and Unified Messenger™ messaging system.
