News Briefs

Partners in Intel Corp.’s Channel Connect and Collect (IC3) Broadband Program now can sell all of New Edge Networks’ broadband networking services such as broadband Internet access, frame relay, managed, multisite VPNs and satellite. Intel has built an online interface for its dealers to access and order New Edge services.

PowerNet Global Communications has introduced Web hosting services for small business owners and personal users, which it will market through its nationwide network of independent sales representatives and affinity groups. The offer includes complete management tools, bundled software and e-commerce capabilities and 24- hour technical support.

VoIP technology developer VocalScape Inc. has signed an sales agency agreement with Ablaze Technologies Inc., an online marketing and technology management company. Ablaze will sell VocalScape’s hosted VoIP services, VoIP system technology, calling card platform and more.

Master agency X4 Communications LLC is seeking more agents in the West now that the company has greater access to California and Nevada through Mpower Communications Corp.’s recent purchase of ICG Communications Inc.’s California assets. X4 is Mpower’s largest distributor, and Mpower has asked X4 to sell its services in its expanded footprint, which covers nearly all of California, as well as Las Vegas and Reno in Nevada.

Voda One Corp. has partnered with Avaya Financial Services to offer qualified partners a way to help their customers pay for systems. The arrangement essentially is a lease agreement that no longer requires users to pay 50 percent of costs upfront, and the remaining 50 upon installation, for example.

Xirrus Inc. has kicked off its PartnerAdvantage Program for its Wireless LAN Array, which combines a WLAN switch with up to 16 access points in one device. The new program, structured on tiered levels, provides marketing, sales and technical support, as well as lead-generation services, to qualifying partners. It has flexible commitment levels and features online as well as on-site training.

Broadband access provider Verilink Corp. has made its foray into the alternate channel world with the launch of its Telephony Partner Program. The company is looking for solutions providers to sell its VoIP products, including the 8000 Series and 3000 Series integrated access devices. VARs and other partners interested in joining the Telephony Partners Program must be approved by Verilink. Those who are accepted into the program receive extensive training from the company, including indepth education on network planning and interoperability. Verilink also will offer sales tools, discounts, rebates, support and more.

The Comstor division of VAD Westcon Group Inc. has unveiled a new program for Cisco Systems Inc. channel partners. Called SMBx, the program helps resellers hone their sales methods for the SMB market. SMBx includes a lead-generation portal, training and incentive programs, presentation tools, product launch information and more.

Software maker Oracle has created a new division of its Oracle PartnerNetwork, the Sensor-Based Services Initiative that targets systems integrators, independent software vendors and hardware vendors to sell Oracle’s RFID and sensor technologies.