It is well known in the channel that the Philips branded IPC100 comes from the same stable as NEC Infrontia’s XN120 and is based on the same underlying architecture. Consequently, the NEC Philips IPC100 SMB communication platform will now be supplied to the channel direct from NEC Infrontia.
This is seen as a natural and logical progression as NEC looks to streamline its supply chain process to ensure channel partners continue to get a highly competitive and efficient service.
This move does not affect the 2000IPS mid-range platform, which continues to be supplied by NEC Philips direct to its channel partners as well as through Nessco - NEC Philips’ primary distribution partner in the UK.
Chris de Silva, UK Managing Director of NEC Philips, says, “This is a logical ‘next step’ of the NEC business. Our established channel partners for the IPC100 will still be able to procure the Philips-branded system through our distribution partner Nessco as they do currently and developments on the platform will continue as normal. In addition, NEC Philips will continue to focus on our 2000IPS platform through channel, as well as our UNIVERGE SV7000 enterprise IP voice servers and Unified Communications offerings.”
Doug Lawes, UK Managing Director of NEC Infrontia, adds, “NEC Infrontia will be the single point of contact for the SMB market solutions and we will continue to drive growth for NEC in this market place. We will be working very closely with NEC Philips and we look to them for support in larger enterprise opportunities from the channel and through our direct accounts. This will give us and our partners the opportunity to leverage their undoubted expertise in the large enterprise space, notably with the UNIVERGE SV7000.”
Austin Davidson, Managing Director of Nessco, comments, “We have developed an excellent working relationship with NEC Philips during 2006, our first year as the distributor of the Philips IPC100 and 2000IPS. We understand the reasons for this alignment by the NEC companies and it is very much business as usual for us, as we continue to get the best of both a strong product line and a strong product brand. We will continue to supply the Philips IPC100 and the 2000IPS which have become important parts of our ‘one-stop’ offering to our growing national network of resellers. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with NEC Philips and our new relationship with NEC Infrontia.”