8x8, Poly and ScanSource join forces for cloud UC
Three leading technology providers - 8x8, Plantronics (formerly Plantronics and Polycom) and ScanSource - are joining forces to help companies easily move away from legacy on-premises business communication systems to true cloud-based communication solutions.
The joint global programme, named CloudFuel, will accelerate the process of ensuring organisations have proven cloud technology to meet all of their needs across unified communications, collaboration and contact centre.
This is the first time a comprehensive, frictionless hardware replacement/cloud migration programme will be offered to the VAR channel, combining award-winning UCaaS and CCaaS solutions on 8x8's single technology platform, best-in-class equipment from Poly and powerful financial incentives for ScanSource resellers, who are the critical parties with the end customer relationships.
The CloudFuel programme will be offered through the extensive ScanSource network of more than 35,000 resellers and will provide access through their direct relationships with hundreds of thousands of customers across the globe.
The CloudFuel offering will include the full range of 8x8 X Series and standalone solutions, built on top of the best voice quality and reliability in the cloud, along with integrated analytics and data, frictionless migration tools and deployment services.
As part of the full-service programme, customers will receive incentives on Poly equipment including highly favourable leasing terms, pricing and a buyback programme for current on-premises equipment.
The companies will invest in joint marketing development, equipment buyback programmes, special incentives, and migration tools to accelerate the transition to cloud.
"For many years 8x8 has been helping businesses replace their legacy on-premises solutions to modernise their communications and increase service quality, system resiliency, IT agility and performance visibility all with a single cloud technology platform," says 8x8 CEO Vik Verma.
"Today's announcement takes our relationships with ScanSource, a leading provider of technology products and solutions, and Poly, the leading phone equipment provider, to a new level, uniting industry leaders together with a joint purpose – to deliver cost-effective, packaged programmes that will enable countless organisations to easily and quickly take advantage of the cloud.
"Our previous on-premises telephony system could not provide the critical integrated contact centre functionality we needed," says Colibri Group senior director Bayard Carlin.
"We moved to 8x8 for a single Unified Communications and Contact Centre solution. I was impressed with how fast the switch-over took place and how seamless the project was from day one. We have realised 30% cost savings, and more importantly, we have less complexity and more functionality, including rich contact centre analytics and an easier process for adding new agents or locations quickly."
"This strategic partnership between ScanSource, 8x8, and Poly enables our VARs to resell 8x8 cloud communication services aligned with their existing, preferred business model that allows them to own the customer relationship," says ScanSource chairman and CEO Mike Baur.
"This programme will allow our VARs to manage the customer billings for the 8x8 and Poly solution, while also giving VARs the ability to add additional services that they provide.
"For years, Poly has been leading the charge helping our customers move from on-premises telephony to cloud-based communications," says Poly president and CEO Joe Burton.
"With stellar partners like 8x8 and ScanSource, along with these new incentive programmes, we will make the migration process to UCaaS as seamless as possible for our collective customers.
The CloudFuel programme will be available starting in December 2019.
