MeetingZone offers Lync UC as-a-service to partners

Communications and collaboration specialist MeetingZone is offering partners the opportunity to resell its new cloud-based Lync as a Service (LaaS) solution to enterprise customers.

The fully managed and supported hosted service gives organisations using Microsoft platforms like Exchange and Office 365 a simple and effective way to integrate their desktop, mobile and voice communications without incurring capital expenditure on hardware and software.

Once deployed, it can replace traditional PBXs and phones systems entirely. Partners offering the service will gain from regular revenue without capital expenditure and the ability to broaden their offering in the growing Unified Communications (UC) market.

Announcing the LaaS Partner Programme, MeetingZone CEO Steve Gandy said: “The service complements our partners’ broader enterprise deployments of Microsoft technology and can potentially double the value of any Office 365 or Exchange deal.

“It also allows partners to tap into the cloud-based voice telephony opportunity with an experienced and accredited expert, giving them a recurring monthly revenue stream and an attractive margin. The service is hassle-free – we provide the platform so there’s little capital risk for partners and organisations get a single partner branded bill.”

According to analyst IDC, the global market for UC is set to reach $20 billion by next year. Steve Burnley, Unified communications business manager at Softcat said: “We’ve found MeetingZone’s level of service and support impeccable. They were the only provider in this area with a truly flexible partner programme and expert pre- and post-sales support.

“That really marks them out from other Lync voice suppliers and makes a huge difference to the success of deployments among our customers.”