SoTel Systems continues to rack up important wins as a major distributor of advanced unified communications gear.In this case, the tier 2 distributor cum Internet Telephony Services Provider has signed a distribution agreement with Avistar, a unified visual communications (read: enhanced videoconferencing) vendor specializing in solutions for businesses of all size, to host Avistar’s C3 Communicator solution. SoTel, as a wholesale supplier of a wide range of business communications products, as well as an SIP-friendly provider, will act as distributor and VAR for the solution; SoTel will market C3 as a hosted desktop videoconferencing service for the SMB market.
Avista‘s C3 Communicator is billed as an easy-to-use, easy-to-set-up desktop videoconferencing “experience” that integrates an IM buddy list interface, making placing video calls simple. It supports H.264 for HD quality resolution (720p), as well as a full-featured management center that controls devices, settings and related features remotely. Key features include advanced call controls such as hold, resume and multiline; interoperability based on open standards, including SIP and AEC support; single-click calling and conferencing; and firewall traversal.
That kind of extensibility and standards support makes the C3 a good fit with SoTel and its resellers, who will be able to upsell other hosted videoconferencing options depending on customer segment, such as private virtual secure clusters for the public sector or other risk-averse, high-security organizations. SoTel promises to offer C3 for a “low” monthly fee, but no specifics on price yet. The main value here for end-users will be SoTel’s 24/7 Customer Support, highly available SIP-based network infrastructure, and experience in selling to SMBs.
