AT&T Partner Exchange Summit: New Virtual Functions, Collaboration Tools

**Editor’s Note: Click here for our recently compiled list of new products and services.**

AT&T PARTNER EXCHANGE SUMMIT — AT&T has added new products for network functionality and collaboration to its reseller program.

AT&T Partner Exchange on Tuesday announced two major products: Flexware – a platform for “software-based network functions” – and Collaborate – a self-descriptive set of voice and communication tools.

AT&T’s Sue Galvanek

Flexware is a network function virtualization (NFV) platform that partners configure using a single piece of hardware on their customer’s premises. AT&T says the offering helps partners orchestrate functions like routers and firewalls in a simplified and less expensive manner.

“At a really high level, what Flexware does is separate the software functionality from the underlying hardware and then hosts those software functions on virtual machines,” said Sue Galvanek. vice president of marketing, pricing and product solutions. for AT&T Partner Exchange.

Flexware is not a new AT&T product, but the company has added it to the Partner Exchange portfolio. One AT&T executive spoke about the opportunities the offering will open up for partners last month at Channel Partners Evolution.

“Instead of having to order, install and manage several different devices out of the customer site for things like router, security and WAN acceleration, they can simply use that one piece of hardware out of their customer’s location; they would just have one single device out there, and they would load via the network the software applications that would be now installed in that one device,” Galvanek told Channel Partners.

Partner Exchange also announced the availability of AT&T Collaborate, which is a set of tools that includes instant messaging, desktop sharing and video conferencing. Galvanek says the newly available product fits into the trend of businesses wanting more and more flexibility in how and when they talk to each other.

“Sharing is the new default. People want to be able to share information, documents, videos, you name it. Anytime, anywhere,” she said. “And that really helps people much more efficiently and effectively.”

AT&T Collaborate is cloud-based and “transport agnostic,” the company said. The solution is customizable so that business can add users and change features when necessary.

“We all have to work faster and smarter. AT&T Partner Exchange continues to deliver innovative solutions that help our customers keep pace in today’s complex business environment. We know those who embrace transformation will win the fastest,” said Rickie Richey, founder and CEO of Altaworx.

AT&T announced the portfolio additions at the Partner Exchange Summit in Dallas. The conference will be a public appearance for Zee Hussain, who is transitioning into the position of division president of AT&T Partner Solutions as Brooks McCorcle retires.