Westcon-Comstor Adds Cisco IP Phones to Lifecycle Management Solution

Tech distributor Westcon-Comstor has added Cisco IP phones with Multiplatform Firmware to its ForgeServe device-provisioning and lifecycle management solution.

This solution now includes models in the Cisco IP 6800, 7800 and 8800 series. The addition of Cisco IP phones empowers solution providers to deliver automated phone provisioning and brings other management functions to its growing services portfolio. Automated phone provisioning, also known as remote customization (RC), helps service providers setup redirection for their Cisco IP phones.

ForgeServe, launched last fall through Westcon-Comstor’s global Supply Chain Solutions team, is available through the Westcon-Comstor Unified Communications and Collaboration Solutions Practice. The suite was developed as a partnership with Swoop Datacom Ltd.

Automated phone provisioning, combined with estate management and device real-time change control, can reduce customers’ operating expenses while helping solution providers increase margins in competitive markets—on a global scale, said Tim Dick, vice president of Global Partner Management at Westcon-Comstor.

“The addition of Cisco IP Phones into the ForgeServe portfolio demonstrates our ongoing commitment to deliver cutting edge services that partners leverage to strengthen their customer relationships,” he said. “ForgeServe has been well received by the channel and we expect Cisco solution providers will find automated phone provisioning and other management capabilities as an opportunity to enhance their reputations as innovative and trusted business partners with clients.”

Bennett added, “We have worked extensively to ensure that ForgeServe offers a comprehensive feature set for all vendors that we support, and Cisco has long been a must-have vendor for Swoop Datacom. We see the collaboration between ForgeServe and Cisco as a huge advantage to MSPs currently selling or new to Cisco IP Phones with Multiplatform Firmware. Westcon-Comstor is our global choice of partners for delivering this service to Cisco customers and we are very excited to announce this milestone.”