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John Gates, Elevate Communications, (617) 861-3651
Launches Whaleback Partner Program and Recruits Established Interconnect Companies to Sell the CrystalBlue Voice Service so SMBs can Benefit from the Economics, Functionality and Reliability of Broadband VoIP
BOSTON, September 12, 2006—Whaleback Systems™ today introduced the Whaleback Partner Program, a comprehensive channel program for interconnect companies—including resellers, VARs and System Integrators—to accelerate the distribution of Whaleback’s CrystalBlue Voice Service. As part of the announcement made at the Fall VON tradeshow, Whaleback also named the initial members of this program. Whaleback is a Managed Service Provider (MSP) and is the first and only company that has created a full-functionality, premises-based IP PBX with Key System Unit functionality —along with the necessary broadband-based telephony service infrastructure—to offer a fully integrated, end-to-end broadband business telephony service for Small and Medium Business (SMB) customers.
“Channel partners can align with Whaleback to create added value in their offerings to their customers by offering small and medium businesses a premises-based managed broadband VoIP service,” said Mark Galvin, co-founder, president and CEO of Whaleback. “We offer a set of programs designed to appeal to a variety of qualified resellers, system integrators and VARs. Our unique business model creates a compelling business value to end customers while establishing a recurring monthly revenue stream, shortened sales cycle and low cost of entry for our partners.” By partnering with Whaleback, channel partners can:
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Retain customer relationship and ownership by offering a fully managed VoIP service that frees customers from the limitations of IP Centrex services and the costs and hassles of internally managed IP PBX platforms. Channel partners can refresh their installed base of customers by offering a managed solution and they can address new markets with a reduced sales cycle.
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Maintain hardware onsite so they can support moves, adds and changes for their customers.
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Earn activation fees at the time of the sale by deploying the service.
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Earn recurring monthly annuity payments for the life of each four-year customer contract.
Since Whaleback provides robust, 24X7 monitoring and management, channel partners can reduce their support costs and truck rolls and increase their profit while providing their customers with a highly reliable telephony service. Whaleback provides a Partner Demo Kit that allows channel partners to demonstrate the CrystalBlue Voice Service at their office. They can also leverage it as a portable demonstration that can be brought to the location of customers and prospects to show the call quality and ease of use of this managed service. Whaleback channel partners can also reduce their own telephony costs and are eligible for discounts on the CrystalBlue Voice Service.
“SMBs depend on trusted resellers, system integrators and VARs for reliable, easy-to-use solutions, and Whaleback offers a win-win-win solution,” said Galvin. “SMBs win by selecting a managed service that reduces their telephony costs and lets them take advantage of the economies of broadband cable or DSL connections—and the advanced features enabled by IP services. Our channel partners win because they no longer have to depend on IP PBX platforms offered by giant equipment manufacturers that were designed for large enterprises and stripped down to address the SMB market, and Whaleback benefits by reducing the costs of our business model by trusting our channel partners to offer CrystalBlue as a long-term telephony solutions for SMBs.”
Whaleback channel partners are compensated for initial installation of the CrystalBlue Voice Service, and they receive ongoing revenue streams for the life of the customer contract. Since Whaleback provides robust 24x7 monitoring, channel partners can offer their customers and prospects reliable VoIP services delivered over cable or DSL networks.
According to Gus DiPopolo, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Quality Communications, “We like the concept of a premises-based VoIP service because typical small and medium businesses can easily identify the value it offers. We are partnering with Whaleback because CrystalBlue is a unique premises-based, managed service. It allows us to deliver high value to our customers and provides a recurring revenue stream that functions like an annuity for our business.”
Stephen Mannarino, President of AmeriCom Voice and Data, said, “Whaleback has a voice solution that clearly meets the needs of the SMB market. The CrystalBlue Voice Service delivers strong voice functionality to our customers and it reduces costs for us and for our customers. As a managed service, CrystalBlue helps us eliminate the need to roll trucks to support our customers, and it allows our customers to take advantage of the economics and features of broadband voice.” The following firms are founding members of the Whaleback Partner Program:
The following firms are founding members of the Whaleback Partner Program:
Accu-Tel is headquartered in Rollinsford, NH and it serves the telecommunications needs of small and medium businesses in Southern New Hampshire and Southeast Maine.
AmeriCom Voice and Data is a comprehensive technology company based in Norwood, Massachusetts. AmeriCom sells, installs and maintains telecommunication systems, data products, security system and health care automation systems.
Comm-4 specializes in communication and secure data solutions.
ComputerSmith Consulting, LLC provides service and support to small businesses seven days a week. Its team of IT professionals helps organizations regain control of computers and networks.
CS&M Tele-Systems is based in Tiverton, RI. The firm sells, installs and maintains telephone systems and computer networks.
Direct Access Systems (DAS) i s a premier managed solutions provider of conferencing and collaboration technologies.
EmersonTel provides infrastructure, equipment and consultative services to the small-to-medium business community of southern New Hampshire and the New Hampshire seacoast.
Kent Communications specializes in providing a variety of telecommunications services to New Hampshire businesses.
Logic Communications is based in Franklin, MA and it engages in the services and installation of high-quality, leading-edge communication technology, network systems and peripherals.
Mid-Atlantic Communications is based in Avoca, PA and is a regional communications solutions provider serving nearly 4,000 business customers throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.
NetTel Systems is based in Weymouth, MA and offer a full range of business communications solutions including desktop call control, paging, networking, IP solutions, voice mail, unified messaging and call distribution.
Premier Studios is a full-service media production company. Premier has been servicing national and international clients since 1988.
Quality Communications is a full-service communications firm with expertise in the design, installation and maintenance of telephone systems and data networks.
Founded in 1987, Quality Communications has grown into one of the most successful communications firms in the Metropolitan New York area. Based in New Jersey, Quality Communications has installed and currently maintain systems in 33 states.
Telnet Systems is a leading provider of telephone, data network and converged business solutions to small businesses throughout New England.
TMT-Excel Communications is based in Hauppauge, NY, and offers superior, customized and dependable business telephone system solutions. Its customer base exceeds 2,000 business, commercial, industrial, healthcare and educations organizations throughout the tri-state area.
TNCI is a leading national telecommunications provider delivering an unmatched balance of industry experience and stability. TNCI offers are a range of solutions including local and long distance service, audio/web conferencing, dedicated IP, integrated voice and data services, private line, frame relay and enhanced network solutions.
Whaleback is aggressively recruiting qualified integrators, VARs and resellers. To apply for membership, read more about the advantages of becoming a Whaleback channel partner and fill out an online application and you will be contacted by a Whaleback representative shortly.
Whaleback Systems is a Managed Service Provider (MSP) and the pioneering developer of the first business phone solution built from the ground up for broadband. Unlike traditional systems, the Whaleback CrystalBlue Voice Service is 100 percent premises-based and software-driven. It includes the only IP PBX with Key System Unit features and Road Warrior Functionality. Whaleback's all-inclusive, unlimited nationwide calling package makes the most advanced technology immediately affordable for companies that need between 5 and 1,500 phone stations. The Whaleback service is available through partnerships with channel partners and VARs.
