ChannelVision Magazine

CHANNEL MANAGEMENT ZenFi’s Walter Cannon Discusses Channel Program ZenFi Networks has emerged as a connectivity dis - ruptor in New York and New Jersey, with its purpose-built communications infrastructure network that’s enabling mobile densification. We spoke with vice president of business de - velopment Walter Cannon at the recent Metro Connect conference in Miami to learn more about the company and where they’re heading. CV: Tell us about ZenFi and why the company was founded. WC: ZenFi was formed to solve some of the problems that we saw in the wireless space. We were able to build a pretty diverse and accessible network that runs throughout the city’s five boroughs. And following our recent merger with Cross River Fiber, we ex - panded into New Jersey. This gives us two things. Our network provides a plat - form for major mobile network operators to build on. It also gives us a ton of connectivity between all major data centers. We’re in about 40-plus major data centers in the New York/ New Jersey area, with diverse entranc - es and a lot of different route options. So, we’re able to turn up circuits quickly – sometimes under 15 days. CV: Tell us about your emerging channel program. WC: We’re now in the early stages of developing a channel program.  My plan is to have it done by the end of the second quarter. Our goal going to Las Vegas in March is to talk to chan - nel partners and see what they really want. But I suspect it’s going to be a lot of the same things that they’re already used to – a decent discount, and the ability to sell anything on our network. We’ll look to partner with some Type IIs and offer solutions for them both in the data center space as well as colos and enterprises. CV:What differentiates you from your competitors? WC: We like to say, especially in the five boroughs, everything’s either near net or on net. Because of the way we built our network, we can ac - cess our cable at any manhole that we traverse. So there’s a manhole going down most of the major ave - nues. We probably have at least two, if not three, 864-count fiber cables passing through. So, I never want anybody to be scared about bringing us a challenge. We like to work with challenges and provide connectivity to customers. Peerless Partners with Telarus Peerless Network recently expanded its global partner network with the addition of Telarus, one of the largest privately held mas - ter distributors of business cloud and contact center services. As a partner, Telarus’ channel of more than 4,000 sales agents and advisors now can offer their enterprise customers immediate ac - cess to Peerless Network’s portfolio of high-quality voice products, services and platforms that are connected to every major carrier and cater to enterprises with multinational locations utilizing voice, SIP trunking and UCaaS services.  Peerless Network’s automated platforms Cloud PBX (UCaaS), Peerless Portal (self-provisioning SIP trunking platform) and ANImate (number management system) enable enterprises and channel partners to provision and manage SIP trunking chan - nels, telephone numbers, local and domestic/international long- distance and toll-free services for multiple locations and from one advanced system. Peerless’ Application to Enterprise Messaging (A2P) provides SMS/MMS messaging support for long-codes and toll-free numbers, and Peerless CallTrue offers SHAKEN/STIR technology to give businesses advanced protection against un - wanted robo- and nuisance calls.  “Peerless Network simplifies how enterprises connect with the highest quality of service and delivers best-in-market commis - sions for our channel agent partners,” said said Patrick Oborn, Telarus co-founder. Broadvoice Strengthens Channel Team Broadvoice is strengthening its commitment to channel sales with the addition of new strategic channel leadership roles. Mike Gottwalt, a 15-year veteran of the chan - nel, is Broadvoice’s first vice president of strate - gic relationships, a new role created as a liaison between Broadvoice and strategic partners, including national and regional master agencies and technology vendors. Gottwalt joins Broadvoice after more than 12 years as area vice president of sales for the Central region at Telarus. Jason Shawgo, a 14-year UCaaS veteran, has joined Broadvoice as the company’s area vice president, East Coast, and will oversee channel sales teams and strategies in the region. Shawgo comes to Broadvoice from CenturyLink where he was account director of unified commu - nications and collaboration services. Walter Cannon 64 CHANNEL VISION | March - April, 2020