Zultys Inc. has made substantive strides, as a company and in the channel, since its 2009 hiring of a new CEO who sought to erase the legacy of the old Zultys Technologies’ production shutdowns, funding problems and bankruptcy. Two years later, Neil Lichtmans efforts seem to have paid off, shedding the baggage of the Zultys Technologies name and transforming it from just another struggling VoIP company into a solid unified communications (UC) provider.

As proof, Zultys on Wednesday laid out several metrics. First, the Silicon Valley-based firm said it doubled sales between 2009 and 2010, despite the global economic downturn. It also said it has expanded its workforce by 20-30 percent; the growth includes additions to the channel support team, the sales support and training group, and engineering and marketing. Finally, Zultys has added offices in Australia, Brazil, China and Russia.

The turnaround can be attributed to new leadership. Zultys Technologies declared bankruptcy in 2006; later that year, it was bought by new owners who kept the Zultys name — but ditched the “Technologies” tag and added the “Inc.” — and some time later hired Lichtman to oversee the new company. Lichtman came to Zultys Inc. with 25 years of telecom experience. Then, in April 2010, Steven Francis was put in charge of sales and marketing; he has done sales and marketing for 30 years. Both executives have worked extensively with channel partners, too; using that background, they increased Zultys agent, dealer and VAR ranks by more than 100 last year in North America. The company also joined the well-known Technology Assurance Group.

But Zultys has been focusing on technology upgrades as well. Earlier this year, it introduced the latest version of its MX UC software, MX 6.0. The platform comes with several new features such as one-click, HD desktop video conferencing; enhanced integration with BlackBerry devices, Microsoft Outlook and Salesforce.com; and new contact center reporting tools. Theres also the ability to use IM, presence, and call handling such as transfer and park, on BlackBerry phones. Plus, unified numbering means companies can be available to customers at all times.

Lichtman said unwavering attention” to the business side of Zultys operations has proven key for the companys future.

Our decisions today have laid the solid groundwork for Zultys’ success in the years to come,” Lichtman said in a prepared statement.