KSS Technologies, a black economic empowerment (BEE) converged network integrator, has added the Advanced Technology Partner in the small and medium business (SMB) market to its collection of Cisco awards and accolades.
This is the second award bestowed on KSS in 2005. It was also recently recognised as Cisco`s `Emerging Partner of the Year` for 2005.
Says Prabashni Pillay, recently appointed channel manager for Cisco South Africa: "Cisco has taken cognisance of the previously underserved SMB segment and has launched more than 30 new products into this market to provide them with solutions that are suited to their requirements without compromising functionality and quality. KSS has excelled in the SMB market and is positioned to meet the needs and demands with our product offering and their pre-sales, implementation, service and support skills."
Says Dennis Naidoo, sales director at KSS: "We have effectively aligned our strategy with Cisco and are working toward the common goal of capturing the SMB market. In order to achieve this goal, we obtained our SMB Select Partner status in 2005."
The programme was introduced to support and financially reward partners who grow their Cisco networking business in the SMB sector. To qualify, KSS had to meet the programme criteria, which includes training, sales volumes and sales mix requirements. The programme enables, rewards and encourages channel partners with a focus on the SMB segment to better serve this market.
Pillay believes that having a partner that understands the business challenges of this market will further ensure the success of capturing this market space.
Naidoo continues: "Converged networks are becoming an attractive proposition to the SMB market as the price point of this technology decreases, eliminating barriers to entry. KSS geared itself to meet the needs and requirements of this market by partaking in additional training and commitment to targets in this segment. This was achieved by embracing Cisco`s advanced technology portfolio and obtaining the necessary product knowledge particularly in the areas of Internet Protocol (IP) communications which includes IP telephony, voice over IP (VOIP), IP contact centres and video over IP."
The SMB segment is a market that is extremely budget-conscious yet must look toward lowering ongoing costs in an effort to be more profitable. Segregated voice, video and data networks are more costly as they require different skills for ongoing support and maintenance.
Naidoo notes: "Collapsing these traditionally separate networks into one reduces the total cost of ownership of these solutions significantly. KSS is now positioned to provide affordable converged network solutions that embody our vision of delivering more for less."
Smaller business now have access to advanced networking equipment and can draw on the resources of resellers like KSS to assist with scoping, specifications, design, implementation and support/maintenance, providing these companies with an infrastructure that supports their business processes and strategies.
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