The Response Point Communications Opportunity in 2009

While there are many segments of the communications market which will do better than the overall economy in 2009, there is an important trend worth noting of you are trying to invest your money or resources in the space. The very large segment of the market is in severe stress do to the economic environment and the sad state of the global banking system.

Specifically, activities which require millions or billions of dollars to finance are being slowed or stopped until the economic climate becomes better and/or more capital becomes available.

This means the segments of the communications market which do not require massive investments are less affected by the credit crunch.

Subsequently, we can expect the SMB and Enterprise market to be somewhat resilient to the slowdown which is currently affecting companies who rely primarily on carriers for their livelihood.

This is not to say that the enterprise/ SMB space does not need capital. They do. It is just that the financing is easier to get on a $15,000 phone system than a million dollar softswitch upgrade.

With this in mind, TMC has really done its best to present ITEXPO attendees with a broad range of SMB solutions to choose from - whether you are a VAR or are coming to the event to supply your own company with enterprise/branch/SMB solutions.

As we all know Microsoft has made a huge splash in the unified communications space these past years but what is lesser known is the Response Point product is equally good and targeted at smaller companies and resellers.

At the upcoming ITEXPO you will find limitless Response Point solutions you can't find anywhere else.

For example, John Frederiksen is the new General Manager of Response Point and he will be giving a keynote at the show.

In addition there is a Response Point seminar at the show which is free.

The details are below and you can register here.

Microsoft Response Point Solution FREE Seminar at ITEXPO East 2009

This is a 2 day Microsoft sponsored seminar geared towards ITEXPO East VARs and Agents. It is focused on hands-on, pragmatic, and practical education of the Response Point solution and opportunities. Speakers will include VARs, ITSPs, and OEMS that are currently active in the Response Point ecosystem. Benefit from the learning's of these partners, and leverage their lessons into successful business practices for your firm.

For example, which is the best SIP trunking provider for your area? Which carrier works best with Response Point in your region? Networking with others is the best way to learn these vital details before you deploy your first system.

Learn about the Microsoft Response Point software solution during this 90 minute hands-on tutorial delivered by members of the Response Point Development team. Topics will include: installation, configuration, SIP Trunking, and hardware and software management.

Presented by:

• Marta Barillas, Development Engineer, Microsoft Response Point
• Luis Esparragoza, Development Engineer, Microsoft Response Point

2. A VAR's Perpsective: Response Point as a Business Driver

Taking an end to end view of Response Point affords VAR's an opportunity for multiple revenue sources. In this VAR delivered presentation, we will learn how Response Point can generate revenue and opportunities from a transactional and recurring perspective.

Presented by:

• Dave Bainum, Founder and Principal Consultant, RiteTech

Response Point is an OEM hardware and Microsoft software solution. This presentation is designed for a Pre Sales Engineer and/or Technical Support individual looking to gather the technical background on Response Point to allow them to sell and set up a basic system. The AastraLink RP hardware will be the basis for this presentation.

Presented by:
 

• Steven Grinsztein, Field Engineering Manager, Aastra

4. An Integrated Solution: SMB Phone Goes to Market
with Response Point

SMB Phone is a unique VAR and ITSP. Come learn how they identified Response Point as a key technical and business component in their nation-wide go to market programs focused on SMBs.

Presented by:

• Erik Lagerway, Co-founder & CEO, SMB Phone Trent Johnsen, Vice President, Business Development, SMB Phone

Interact with the key members of the Response Point Ecosystem. Hardware OEMs and Peripheral OEMs will be represented.

Presented by:

• Richard Sprague, Senior Director, Microsoft Response Point
• John Drolet, National Sales & Channel Manager, Aastra Telecom
• Brian Nickel, Senior Product Manager, D-Link
• Tom Burgess, National Distribution and Sales Manager, Syspine
• Mark Child, Director, Product Marketing, Clear One
• SPEAKER TBA, Sangoma
• Peter Nelson, Director of Business Development, Quintum Technologies

1. Microsoft Response Point Tutorial (Repeat from Tuesday)

Learn about the Microsoft Response Point software solution during this 90 minute hands-on tutorial delivered by members of the Response Point Development team. Topics will include: installation, configuration, SIP Trunking, and hardware and software management.

Presented by:

• Marta Barillas, Development Engineer, Microsoft Response Point
• Luis Esparragoza, Development Engineer, Microsoft Response Point

Join Sypsine's Tom Burgess in a best practices discussion on selling Response Point solutions into the SMB space. Tom, an experienced VOIP and Telco professional with 20+ years of industry knowledge, will share his insights on how best to utilize the Microsoft brand, Response Point technology, and VAR/Agent expertise for successful selling.

Presented by:

• Tom Burgess, National Distribution and Sales Manager, Syspine

Interact with the key members of the Response Point Ecosystem. Service Providers will be represented and open to discuss their service offerings and VAR/Agent programs.

Presented by:

• Jeff Uphues, National Vice President of Sales, Bandwidth.com
• Greg Rothman, SIPconnect Development, Cbeyond
• Karen Hong, Director, Packet8 Erik Lagerway, Co-founder & CEO, SMB Phone
• Kent Terpe, Director, Covista/TotalTel
• Matt Wilson, Director Agent Programs, NGT
• Richard Sprague, Senior Director, Microsoft Response Point

Register here