Gen-i is showcasing its Unified Communications (UC) and Microsoft capabilities at this year’s Microsoft TechEd event on 13-15 August at SkyCity Convention Centre, Auckland. The company has built an unmatched delivery capability in Unified Communications, following its recent certification as the only Nortel/Microsoft Innovative Communications Alliance (ICA) UC Specialist Partner in New Zealand and one of only two ICA specialists in Australasia.
Steve McGinn, Gen-i’s Service Line Manager for IP Telephony and Unified Communications, says Gen-i’s ability to consult, design, deliver and support Microsoft UC solutions end-to-end is of significant benefit for its customers.
“Our status as the only Nortel/Microsoft ICA UC Specialist Partner in New Zealand is a real differentiator for Gen-i. Our ability to offer a comprehensive customised solution adds further value to our clients and helps simplify the path to Unified Communications,” he said.
Demonstrating core Microsoft capabilities
Gen-i is demonstrating its Microsoft and Nortel capabilities at TechEd in three areas:
Unified Communications - The UC demonstration will include the only Microsoft Office Communications Server (OCS) integrated with Nortel’s Communication Server 1000 (CS1K). This solution provides users with the ability to manage their entire communications infrastructure with one tool (Microsoft Office Communicator) and a single Microsoft inbox. The demonstration will also cover: click-to-call including audio and video; presence pervasiveness throughout Microsoft applications with federation to trusted partners; collaboration and sharing of applications; and the new Outlook voice activated access.
MOSS Internet Publishing capabilities - a demonstration of the Content Management System (CMS) functionality in MOSS, along with workflow support and styling support, template usage, and collaboration and integration with Microsoft Office suite.
Infrastructure Optimisation – a demonstration of the Infrastructure Optimisation Model & Assessment tool to determine the status of a company’s current infrastructure, what benefits are possible and how to realise those benefits.
According to McGinn, Gen-i offers a technology agnostic approach, building solutions for clients based on technologies from all the major providers, including Nortel/Microsoft, Cisco and Zeacom.
“Gen-i has a capability spanning telecommunications and IT, and is the only New Zealand provider that can provide an end-to-end solution, encompassing consulting, design and delivery of UC solutions that span all forms of communication,” he said. “With 15 regional offices throughout New Zealand, we are the only integrator that can span the country, with services, sales and support teams that assist our clients to deploy UC at a national and local level – a real advantage for many of our clients.”
Looking forward, McGinn says the real challenge for organisations is the integration of their UC capability with the core applications that underpin their business.
“While implementing UC does introduce immediate productivity benefits, the real opportunities lie in the integration of the UC capability with core business applications such as customer relationship management (CRM), business intelligence (BI) and enterprise content management (ECM). Many of our clients are looking for our help to realise the true productivity and profitability benefits across the entire organisation, and this is a key Gen-i strength.”
Unrivalled Microsoft expertise
Gen-i’s commitment to the Microsoft Enterprise Platform has included a substantial investment in the technology and services to support the latest wave of Microsoft enterprise solutions. Gen-i’s capability spans the breadth and depth of the Microsoft Enterprise Platform, providing clients with unrivalled expertise and knowledge.
Gen-i built this capability by creating the largest and most experienced team of Microsoft professionals in the country, offering the highest number of certified professionals (often with more than one area of expertise). Gen-i is Microsoft’s largest New Zealand partner, and also Microsoft’s most certified partner in Australasia. Gen-i has obtained: 11 of the 13 Microsoft competencies; 100+ Microsoft customer references; 120+ Microsoft certified professionals; and 375+ Microsoft individual certifications.
Rick Hook, Gen-i’s Microsoft Practice Manager, says New Zealand businesses can benefit from the productivity gains the latest wave of Microsoft technologies can provide.
“The technologies can help address a range of business challenges, from improving productivity to overcome workforce shortages, to significantly enhancing customer service and achieving cost savings across the business,” said Hook. “Gen-i is committed to ensuring our clients are fully aware of the opportunities and challenges presented by the possibilities of convergence for their organisation, and create an enterprise-wide roadmap for the future.”
Gen-i’s commitment to TechEd
Hook says attending TechEd is an important part of the company’s staff training, building team morale and excitement. Gen-i has purchased 220 tickets for staff, spanning software solutions (practice managers, technical consultants and developers), ICT specialists (service line managers, design consultants, delivery consultants) and sales people (client managers, sales specialists).
“We feel that TechEd is a ‘must-have’ for our employees. With the largest and most experienced team of Microsoft professionals in New Zealand, it is important for us to sustain our expertise in Microsoft technologies which span the breadth and depth of the Microsoft Enterprise Platform.
“With the different tracks and large number of sessions, there is something to suit everyone and the knowledge gained in these three days is really valuable in ensuring we have an insight into the next generation of Microsoft technologies and the business benefits they can provide our clients.”