CLEARWATER, USA: Tech Data Corporation has announced a distribution agreement with Fonality, a leading provider of open source unified communications business systems. Through its Telephony Specialized Business Unit (SBU), Tech Data will offer resellers Fonality's open source, Hybrid-Hosted solutions, including the trixbox Pro IP-PBX system that provides easily deployed, cost-effective VoIP and unified communications for small and medium businesses (SMBs).

"Awareness about the cost savings and efficiencies gained by VoIP and unified communications continue to grow, especially in the SMB market," said Tech Data Vice President, Networking Product Marketing Chuck Bartlett. "Fonality enables VARs to offer even their smallest customers the advantages of the latest communications solutions in a hosted and managed model that does not require significant investment in infrastructure or the need for on-site technical support."

In addition to basic voice, messaging and conferencing capabilities for main office, remote locations and telecommuters, the trixbox Pro enables users to take advantage of more advanced communications capabilities, including Microsoft Outlook and CRM integration, voicemail to e-mail and call center support.

Resellers deploy the trixbox Pro IP-PBX appliance at a customer's location. Fonality delivers its VoIP and unified communications services via the trixbox Pro, which it remotely manages and monitors on behalf of resellers via its Hybrid-Hosted technology. Fonality's Hybrid-Hosted model provides users with the functionality and reliability of a premise-based unified communications solution through a hosted system that requires little on-site maintenance or support. Fonality provides management services such as 24x7 systems monitoring, automatic software updates, business continuity support, and comprehensive reporting and tracking tools.

"Fonality sees tremendous potential for VoIP and unified communication adoption to continue to grow among SMBs," said Fonality Vice President John Bazzone. "Fonality provides big business capabilities to the SMB market. Our open source, Hybrid-Hosted approach is a perfect fit for the market and a strong complement to SMB resellers' solutions offerings. Our partnership with Tech Data will enable us to engage the channel's leading resellers and expand our presence among small businesses nationwide."

Fonality will be on hand today to introduce resellers to its products and channel program during Tech Data's Technology Solutions Tour in Anaheim, Calif., The Technology Solutions Tour offers resellers expert-led sessions on growing and managing their businesses, as well as valuable vendor and peer-to-peer engagement opportunities to learn about the latest technologies being deployed in the SMB market.