“Particular focus has been placed on recruiting new resellers as well as developing even stronger business relationships with existing partners,” explained Nimans’ Avaya Business Manager, Tim Freeth who added: “Sales have gone through the roof and it’s been a true team effort across every aspect of the business, from channel development and dealer sales to marketing and logistics.”
High levels of technical support, fully qualified and trained staff, educational roadshows and exceptional customer service - including guaranteed next day delivery - have played a major role in maintaining Nimans’ position at the forefront of the telecoms distribution industry, according to Tim.
“We have invested heavily in channel development, now run our own Avaya accredited training courses and place high emphasis on brand awareness and product development - to ensure our business partners benefit from the highest levels of support to develop and move forward.”
Freeth is promising even more customer-focused activities for 2008, as he continued: “We are planning to run dedicated technical training courses in the South from a base in Berkshire and will continue with popular nationwide roadshows as well as customer days which bring valuable business opportunities for resellers.”
Avaya’s Distribution Account Director, Rob Wiles, paid tribute to Nimans’ impressive sales performance and remarked: “There can be little doubt that a combination of factors have paid off handsomely for Nimans, making 2007 a year to remember. They are selling more CPU’s than ever and an increasingly innovative Avaya product range has helped drive sales even further forward. Nimans can justifiably feel proud of their achievements this year. They have the platform in place for further success in 2008.”
Wiles expects SIP compliant technology to continue to grow next year as the convergence of voice and data moves ever closer. He said dealers face a stark choice; embrace SIP or risk getting left behind. “Every device that can be connected to a network will be SIP compliant in a few years time,” he emphasised. “They have to adopt it and find a partner now.”
Wiles went on to highlight Avaya’s IP Office 500 and Quick Edition portfolio as products which have been fully tested and fundamentally developed for SIP. Rob said SIP is about creating a ‘presence’ - reaching a person not a phone, wherever they are.
“We want them to sell it with confidence and sell it with ease because if it’s complicated they won’t sell it at all. Nimans is ideally placed to advise and assist them in this area.”
Rob advised dealers to pay particular attention to the lowering call costs and intelligent purchasing by end users. “You need to educate the customer about what is coming down the line.” He said dealers will benefit from increased customer retention, on-going revenue and additional applications and services. He advised them to sell bundles to help maximise revenue potential.
“Like Nimans we feel 2008 will be another exciting period with new technology creating even more opportunities for our business partners to maximise revenue potential,” he concluded.