Spescom gains ECI Gold Partner status

Spescom Telecommunications, value added reseller of products for ECI Telecom, is proud to announce that it has been awarded Gold Partner Status.

ECI Telecom is a leading supplier of networking infrastructure for carrier and service provider networks worldwide. From tier-one national network operators to city carriers, ECI's equipment serves as the platform for key applications including business services, voice, video and wireless backhaul. ECI brings to market the 1Net framework, which defines their focus on facilitating their customer's optimal transition to Next-Generation Networks.

Spescom Telecommunications has been a technology partner of ECI for the last three years, and due to its excellent work in deploying and supporting Neotel, South Africa's first national infrastructure-based competitor in the fixed-line telecommunications sector, has been awarded Gold status.

“ECI has had a long-term relationship with Spescom. We originally partnered in 2007 to supply Neotel with a highly competitive transport solution and services” says Tony Scarfo, Head of Global Channel Sales and Partners of ECI Telecom. “By granting Spescom Gold status, ECI recognises Spescom as a valued partner, who has continuously contributed to our business in the telecom sector in Africa. The Gold status recognises Spescom's commitment and knowledge of our offerings as well as their ability to implement and support our solutions.”

This accolade involves equipment, software and network management training, both basic and advanced, and certification by ECI, as well as high levels of performance recognised not only by ECI but by the customers too.

“Gold partner status criteria include sales achievements as well as technical and methodological certification. The ECI Partner program includes training opportunities to enhance the technological and methodological skills our partners have and make them as self-sufficient as possible in promoting ECI's business around the world,” adds Scarfo.

Says Thomas Makore, MD of Spescom Telecommunications: “In order to gain Gold Partner Status on any client, our ability to install, test and support the systems we supply is closely scrutinised. ECI then also looks at the volume of their products that we supply to the client, as well as the quality of our skills, network management knowledge and capabilities and advanced knowledge in equipment commissioning and testing. Becoming a Gold Partner is recognition of all that we strive for here at Spescom.”

For Spescom Telecommunications' clients, this reaffirms the fact that the company is a trusted partner. They can rely on the organisation's local team for specialised support of ECI's platforms and services instead of having to take their queries overseas. Clients know that there will be highly trained people locally who can respond quickly to situations.

“Africa is a major growth market for ECI Telecom. We see the region as the next frontier of telecom development, and we are excited to take part in this. ECI has been very active and successful in emerging markets, such as Africa,” says Scarfo. “Partnerships are strategic tools as they allow us to scale up our sales capabilities. Specifically in South Africa, Spescom has worked with us as we penetrate the country, and through this partnership, we have been able to participate in one of the most important projects in the region, specifically the introduction of the second national operator, Neotel.”

“This recognition puts us in a good position to negotiate new markets with ECI Telecom, to become a Gold partner for more customers and geographies,” Makore concludes.