New Zealand-based unified communications software provider IPFX is pushing into the UK mid-market with its partner BT.
IPFX is porting its unified communications (UC) software to Nortel hardware at BT’s request, giving it access to thousands more potential sales. IPFX’s sales director, Paul Todd, says the alliance has boosted BT’s business in unified communications.
IPFX has also been providing the giant UK telco with UC training for its sales staff.
Telstra is also selling the IPFX product and the company boasts a partnership with networking giant Cisco. Locally a major provider of the company’s UC system is systems integrator Gen-i, which sells and implements a range of technologies in that market.
In addition to its local, Australian and growing UK businesses, Todd says IPFX has customers in Dubai and a small presence in the US. Exports account for 80% of the company’s sales “and rising”, he says.
Todd says the current heat in the UC software market is also boosting sales. Far from being threatened by the entry of heavyweights such as Microsoft into the space, Todd says IPFX is integrating its software with Microsoft’s UC suite and Exchange to provide unified messaging.
IPFX, he says, is a Microsoft Gold Certified partner and recently attended the company’s partner conference in Houston, with help from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. The company has also received assistance from FRST.
IPFX is not the only local company delivering UC systems. Auckland-based Zeacom has successfully managed to enter the US market. “New Zealand does have a reputation for innovation around this area,” says Todd.
Among IPFX’s local customers, Todd cites Colorite, Sony and ASB. Its smallest user has only eight extensions, he says.
The biggest customer is the Victorian government, with 24,000 users on NEC hardware.
Todd says the IPFX is winning new customers in the Britain every week, such as a recent contract with the UK’s Financial Ombudsman, covering 1,500 seats plus a 150-seat call centre.
He says mobility is a key direction for development — to provide the same presence and other information users can get at their desks when they are on the road.