BCN Solutions Express is launching into 2013 with a host of portfolio enhancements for its channel partners, including next-generation and value-added offerings like cloud-based business services and payment processing join the portfolio.
The company is also adding MPLS-based Dynamic IP services supported by Windstream, the addition of CenturyLink as an underlying provider for SIP trunking, a PRI over CAT 5 product and a promotion from Verizon for IP transport services, including Internet-dedicated Ethernet (IDE) and Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) for high-bandwidth applications.
“We are constantly looking for ways to help our channel partners branch into new revenue streams that they may have not otherwise been tapping into,” explained BCN Solutions Express agent manager David Luther. “We also want to give them the biggest breadth and depth of connectivity options, so that they can expand their base of business and tailor the right solution for their clients, across a wide range of technologies and access types. The beauty of BCN Solutions Express is that we can tailor the right solution, bundle and then bill it. But everything starts with the portfolio.”
For instance, tapping into the hosted business opportunity, the company will soon offer its channel partners access to cloud-based business services that will allow businesses, VARs and agents with a solution that leverages the benefits of the cloud service delivery model to deliver a best-in-class IT communications portfolio that can be combined with data and mobile connectivity. A secure hosted suite of business services will include voice services, social media and mobile extensions, and the latest version of Microsoft Office, which includes Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
Another next-generation addition to the portfolio is iPayment credit and debit-card processing services for merchants. Channel partners can offer payment processing solutions as a value-add for a range of companies, including retail, mail order and e-commerce. The opportunity is significant: In the United States alone, 750,000 new businesses open each year – all prospective clients who will require merchant credit card solutions including ATM/debit card, check guarantee services and more. iPayment itself provides processing services to approximately 190,000 small merchants engaged in a wide variety of businesses–and generates revenue of more than $700 million per year doing so.
“The card processing opportunity is a perfect one for telecom partners,” said Jerry Mack, director of strategic development at iPayment. “When a partner offers connectivity to a merchant to handle voice and data needs, one of the applications that they will be looking to support will be point of sale and card processing. Offering an all-in-one solution meets these companies’ critical business needs.”
In terms of its more traditional portfolio, the company also has added Windstream to the mix as an underlying vendor for dynamic IP, which uses a single MPLS circuit (T1 or Ethernet) for both voice and data services. Bandwidth dynamically shifts for each service type as needed by the customer, and packets are compressed to provide greater calling capacity than traditional TDM services. Dynamic IP supports a range of core services, including IP voice and POTS service, faxing, PRI, digital or analog TDM trunks, SIP trunks, data and Internet and MPLS for VPN or WAN purposes.
Similarly, CenturyLink’s SIP trunking offering is a new focus for 2013, offering unlimited local calling, free on-net to on-net calling between CenturyLink VoIP services, dedicated-rate long distance and inbound toll free, domestic and international toll-free service, caller ID, white pages directory listing and more.
The telecom provider is also enhancing its footprint options with a voice-over-cable offering. Cable Access Transport (CAT) PRIs deliver reliable voice services over a high-speed cable transport link. CAT can stand on its own or be added to a heterogeneous network with multiple access types, which BCN Solutions Express, as your single service-oriented provider, will bundle and bill for you.
The CAT suite has been purposely designed to include three specific offerings to deliver voice services to a range of business types, whether you use a small phone system or an IP PBX with SIP trunking.
“This product can serve areas that may be beyond the reach of traditional carrier PRIs,” Luther explained. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for an agent to increase their footprint and tap new businesses that they couldn’t perhaps reach before.”
And finally, the company is also kicking off the year with a new promotion through Verizon for IDE (5mbps to 80mbps, in Tiered and Burstable Select versions, and GigE (100mbps to 1000mbps in Tiered, Burstable Select or Price Protected. Discounted access rates are available for “on-net” access (Type I), SES (TLS) leased access (Type II) and TDM lease in-franchise access (Tyle III), with $0 Install NRC’s for ports, Type I and Type II access.
The new additions widen the available jigsaw puzzle pieces for channel partners when putting a solution picture together for a customer, the company said. “This is the ‘Solutions’ in BCN Solutions Express,” explained Mike McCrosson, BCN Solutions Express channel manager. “We have the ability to work with an open mind, and to provide not just what the customer wants, but what they need. That’s our role. To deliver the best set of options with no bias, working with our partners to provide a level of support you just don’t see elsewhere.”
