Covad Communications has launched into its indirect sales channel the new Covad Integrated Access service with an online quote and order system that streamlines pre-qualifications and speeds the sales process.
The Integrated Access service is an all-in-one phone and Internet service that allows businesses with up to 35 employees per location to simplify their operations by dealing with one bill and one contact. Covad delivers the service over a voice-optimized T1 line, and the service works with customers’ existing phone systems. The service is ideal for very small businesses because customers can start with as few as four phone lines and new lines can be added one by one.
Of course, Covad previously offered a bundled voice and broadband service to partners, but Jake Heinz, vice president and general manager, Covad VoIP, said the new Covad Integrated Access “has been completely retooled for reliability and flexibility.” Along with the integrated access service comes an overhauled ordering and provisioning process. The new online ordering system handles quotes, pre-qualification and contracts all in one place and all in real time. Partners can store and manage quotes and orders through the Web site, and can check potential deal-killers — such as number portability — at the beginning of the process, rather than at the end. Currently, this interface is applicable only to Covad Integrated Access; Covad could not speculate as to whether future plans included expansion of the tool to cover other solutions.
“The new online ordering system is a huge benefit to partners, by making ordering and provisioning faster, simpler and smarter,” said Heinz. “Covad’s focus on flexibility means our sales partners can build offerings that work for even the smallest businesses, while our nationwide network means they can count on Covad to be wherever they [are].”
Covad Integrated Access now also utilizes SIP trunking and supports a wide range of IP, digital and analog PBXs. Pricing starts at $435 per month with no installation fees, depending upon contract length and services ordered.
