Technology Reseller v32

technologyreseller.co.uk 19 CPC framework success for Stone Group Stone Group, a provider of digital transformation solutions and an IT asset disposal partner, has been awarded a place on four Lots of the ICT Hardware and Peripherals Equipment framework operated by the Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) for the further education sector. These are for the provision of desktop PCs, portable devices, peripherals and multi-purpose solutions. The framework has been valued at around £260m and will run to 30th June 2022. Simon Harbridge, CEO at Stone Group, said: “As a strategic hardware partner to over 35% of the UK’s further education colleges, Stone Group has a proven track record of partnering with universities and colleges to provide their students with the equipment and support they need for a fulfilling and memorable technology- enhanced education.” Stone Group is a trusted partner of leading global technology brands in the further education sector, including Microsoft, Apple, Samsung, Western Digital, Cisco, Meraki and HP. NEWS : RESELLERS Sigma Dynamics partners with Formpipe Formpipe, best known for its Lasernet output management software, has announced a partnership with Microsoft Dynamics consultancy group Sigma Enterprise Applications Ltd (Sigma Dynamics). The partnership builds on Sigma Dynamics’ decision to expand its UK presence following its incorporation of the trade and assets of K3 Business Technologies Ltd’s Dynamics Finance and Operations sub-division. Mike Rogers, Formpipe Commercial Director – Private Sector, said: “We are delighted that Sigma Dynamics has joined our global partner network. Lasernet’s unrivalled integration with Dynamics 365 along with Sigma Dynamics’ service offering is a perfect fit.” www.formpipe.com Xeretec gains UiPath Silver Partner accreditation Xeretec has added Intelligent Automation (IA) solutions from UiPath to its portfolio after securing Silver Partner accreditation from the enterprise Robotic Process Automation company. UiPath’s solutions bring greater workflow process efficiencies to private and public sector organisations by using ‘robots’ to perform essential – but repetitive – tasks in key HR, payroll, sales, marketing and IT processes, leaving staff free to focus on higher value jobs. Intelligent Automation can work in conjunction with complementary technologies, like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing. For example, communication from customers can be analysed using Natural Language Processing and fast tracked to the right department using IA. Russell Lawrie, Head of Business Intelligence at Xeretec, said: “Xeretec’s years of experience in Managed IT environments make it ideally placed to ensure IA is a core component of its clients’ business both now and in the future.” https://www.xeretec.co.uk/ J700 Group contract renewal Managed IT provider J700 Group is celebrating the renewal of its contract with Blackburn-based facilities management and electrical service specialist D.E.S. Group. J700 Group, based in Rossendale, has delivered a range of technical services to D.E.S. Group – formerly known as Darwen Electrical Services – since early 2019, including web development, software development, managed IT, hardware provision and cloud computing services. The IT specialist has supported D.E.S. Group through its move to new premises on Blakewater Road, Blackburn, recent company acquisitions and product diversification during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the provision of PPE. www.j700group.com PrimeTel partners with Vapour Cloud IT consultancy PrimeTel has joined forces with Vapour Cloud to bolster its UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) proposition. PrimeTel, which facilitates clients’ digital transformation projects across data, security, hosting and voice, will collaborate with Vapour Cloud to help customers move from an on-premise legacy telecoms system to a cloud-based Avaya solution. PrimeTel Director Scott Aldridge said: “It’s important we remain partner-agnostic to ensure we recommend exactly the right solution for the brief at hand. However, we do need a strong portfolio of best of breed suppliers that we can ‘plug in’ as our customers’ projects take shape. We were on the lookout for an Avaya expert, able to deliver projects from end to end, if the customer needs that service wrap. We’ve found that in Vapour.” FourNet chooses Union Street for better billing FourNet, a £30 million turnover cloud and managed service provider, has chosen Union Street Technologies aBILLity billing software and associated services to improve the service that it provides to customers in the blue light sector. When FourNet Head of Finance Vanessa Worsley and Amir Hussain conducted an extensive review of the company’s billing and provisioning operations, they identified several areas where aBILLity could improve service levels for the fire, police and ambulance services. Vanessa Worsley said: “We identified that the blue light sector needed a robust billing solution that could manage their services and be able to provide comprehensive real- time information. aBILLity has a wide range of features that make it ideal for all our customers, especially those within the blue light sector. This includes fully integrated provisioning tools that provide unparalleled control over the services we provide.” She added: “Over the next few years, our aim is to reach £100million turnover. This is an ambitious target, but one that’s eminently achievable. The business intelligence and revenue oversight provided by aBILLity will be key to driving business decision- making and effectively scaling up our billing operations as we continue to grow.” unionstreet.co.uk (Left to right) Amir Hussain, Vanessa Worsley and Vincent Disneur Jonathan Cundliffe (left) from J700 Group with Barry Gavahan (right) from D.E.S. Group.