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Cbeyond Partners with Tech Data to Expand Its Channel Partner Program in the United StatesATLANTA --(Business Wire)-- Cbeyond(R), Inc. (NASDAQ: CBEY), a leading IP-based managed services provider, announces its plans to establish a partnership with leading IT products distributor Tech Data Corporation (NASDAQ: TECD). This relationship is designed to increase the number of Cbeyond channel partners in the United States by leveraging Tech Data's extensive network of channel partners to resell an innovative unified communications solution featuring Cbeyond's BeyondVoice(R) with SIPconnect(R) service and Cisco's Smart Business Communications System (SBCS). "This is an exciting new partnership for Cbeyond as it extends our distribution reach to include Tech Data's nationwide network of channel partners," said Rob Consolazio, vice president and general manager of channel development for Cbeyond. "Participating channel partners will benefit from Tech Data and Cbeyond's combined marketing initiatives and local channel support. In addition, Cbeyond's success-based compensation plans can double the value of a phone system sale when a channel partner integrates the Cbeyond BeyondVoice with SIPconnect service with the Cisco SBCS." Under the terms of the agreement, Tech Data will build awareness among its extensive channel partner network about the benefits of selling a turn-key unified communications solution. To ensure their success, channel partners will receive solutions training and product configuration tools by Cbeyond and Tech Data, including Cisco Select Certified Partner Training through the distributor's TDEducation technical training and certification services team. "Educating our customers on the latest technologies and enabling them to pursue new revenue opportunities is a key focus for Tech Data," said Chuck Bartlett, Tech Data vice president, Networking Product Marketing. "Our partnership with Cbeyond underscores how Tech Data is bringing new service revenue opportunities to our networking channel partners and helping them grow their business among SMBs, where we see exciting growth for the latest voice and data technologies such as Cisco's SBCS." Cbeyond's BeyondVoice with SIPconnect service is an integrated package of local and long distance voice, high speed Internet and mobile services that leverages the SIPconnect specification to tightly integrate with Cisco's SBCS. Cisco's SBCS is an all-in-one communications solution for small businesses. Purpose-built to meet the unique needs of small businesses, it creates a new way to communicate by offering voice, video, data, security and mobility in an integrated single platform. When paired, Cbeyond's BeyondVoice with SIPconnect and Cisco's SBCS enhance small business productivity and improve responsiveness. Additionally, BeyondVoice with SIPconnect is included as a drop down choice in the configuration set-up interface for the SBSC, reducing the time required to install and implement the combined unified communications solution. "Small business presents a tremendous opportunity for channel partners," said Richard McLeod, senior director of unified communications for worldwide channels at Cisco. "The combination of Cisco SMB solutions, powerful converged network offerings and business enhancing applications from Cbeyond, maximize our partners' opportunity to sell and service the best solutions for small businesses profitably." About SIPconnect SIPconnect is an initiative of the SIP Forum (www.sipforum.org) and a registered certification mark of the organization. About Cbeyond Inc. Cbeyond, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBEY) is a leading IP-based managed services provider that delivers integrated packages of communications and IT services to more than 35,000 small businesses throughout the United States. Cbeyond offers more than 30 productivity-enhancing applications including local and long-distance voice, broadband Internet, mobile, BlackBerry(R), broadband laptop access, voicemail, email, web hosting, fax-to-email, data backup, file-sharing and virtual private networking. Its BeyondVoice service, an integrated package of voice, broadband Internet, and mobile services supports five to 250 employees. Cbeyond manages these services over a private, 100-percent Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) facilities-based network. For more information on Cbeyond, visit www.cbeyond.net. CBEY-F CBEY-G |
