Aastra releases new partner program

Communications vendor, Aastra, is set to launch a new channel program to simplify a swathe of internal processes for partners.

Aastra bought Ericsson's enterprise PBX (Private -Automatic- Branch Exchange) division in 2008. The new partner program reflects the integration of the acquisition into the vendor's business.

"It allows partners to set themselves up and be seen as an Aastra partner in a short period of time," he said. "From there we can put forward what our expectations of the partner is and what we can do to help them ramp up their business."

Aastra's biggest partner is Telstra and a majority of the vendor's partners stem from that relationship. Nevertheless the telecommunications industry has changed and Aastra is looking for partners that have a variety of skillsets.

"A lot of traditional Aastra partners were just traditional PABX partners on the telco side," Warhurst said. "In these times people want help with video, WiFi in short on.