8x8 Signs Sandler Partners as Partner Earnings Jump 38%

8×8 just signed a new partner to sell its integrated UCaaS and CCaaS offering.

California-based distributor Sandler Partners inked a deal with the vendor. As a result, Sandler Partners agents can sell 8×8’s platform, which includes voice, chat, meetings and contact center. Both employees and customers can harness the platform, which 8×8 dubs experience communications as a service (XCaaS). 8×8 announced the new deployment model in an effort to “erase the boundary” between UCaaS and CCaaS.

Sandler Partners’ Alan Sandler

“The demand for unified communications and contact center solutions has skyrocketed, as many businesses have shifted to hybrid work environments. 8×8 offers a single-vendor UCaaS and CCaaS solution, and we are thrilled to add them to our growing portfolio of top providers,” said Alan Sandler, managing partner and founder of Sandler Partners. “This partnership with 8×8 will allow our partners to help their clients facilitate and enhance a better employee and customer experience.”

8×8’s Open Channel Program includes direct selling agents, connectivity service distributors (otherwise known as master agents) and VARs. 8×8 distribution partners also include TBI, Avant and Intelisys.

Signing with Sandler Partners theoretically extends 8×8’s sales reach by 9,000 partners. Sandler, founded in 2003, works with agents, VARs and MSPs.

8×8’s John DeLozier

“The channel has been essential in guiding organizations along their digital transformation journey as they move off legacy, on-premises communications and customer engagement systems. 8×8 XCaaS delivers a single cloud communications and contact center platform that enables our channel partners to take advantage of this transformational shift and capitalize on a major growth opportunity,” said John DeLozier, 8×8’s senior vice president and global channel chief.

Earnings

The channel is playing a growing role in 8×8’s strategy.

According to 8×8’s last earnings report, channel partners accounted for 40% of the company’s annual recurring revenue (ARR) in the first quarter. Moreover, channel ARR grew 38% from the first quarter of 2020. In addition, 8×8 reported 1,264 active channel partners in the first quarter, representing a 22% year-over-year increase. Channel partners also drove five out 8×8’s 10 largest new bookings.

“Our partners, and the strong and trusted long-term relationships they have built with their customers, are driving our channel-first success,” DeLozier said.

Sandler has signed multiple suppliers this year, including Momentum Telecom and BCN.