Westcon Convergence Launches Avaya New Partner Bootcamps In U.S., Canada

Westcon Group, Inc., the leading specialty distributor in networking, convergence, security and mobility, announced that Westcon Convergence is sponsoring Avaya new partner bootcamps in the U.S. and Canada. The two and a half day bootcamps, which will provide detailed product portfolio information and onboarding orientations, are designed to help accelerate the transition of Nortel-oriented resellers as they look toward becoming Authorized Avaya Business Partners.

The first of the Avaya new partner bootcamps was piloted last month in Philadelphia to dozens of enthusiastic resellers prior to the closing of Avaya's acquisition of Nortel. During January and February, bootcamps will be offered in Dallas, Chicago and Toronto. Each of the sessions will feature onboarding presentations from business leaders at Westcon Convergence, Avaya and Nortel.

Steve Bernard, vice president and general manager of Westcon Convergence, commented: "These bootcamps provide an excellent means for Nortel-oriented resellers to gain Avaya certification as well as to get in front of what is a very promising channel opportunity. As a leading global distributor for both Avaya and Nortel, Westcon Convergence is in a unique position to deliver timely guidance, accurate information and unparalleled expertise to the reseller community."

"As we saw in our Philadelphia bootcamp last month, these sessions also provide a vehicle for valuable interaction among resellers, each of whom faces common business challenges," Bernard added.

Bootcamp dates and locations are as follows:

• Chicago: January 26-28 at the Westin O'Hare, Chicago IL
• Toronto: February 9-11 at Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Toronto Int'l Airport, Toronto, ON</p>

The bootcamp is free for qualified Nortel-oriented resellers and is targeted primarily at business principles, senior sales and operations executives. In addition to uncovering Avaya-related product and services opportunities, the seminar will also cover complementary solutions from Meru Networks, Audiocodes and others as well as financing options from Westcon Group and Avaya Financial Services.

Mike Reid, vice president, Distributors, Avaya, commented: "Westcon Convergence has a very important role to play in helping our new Nortel customers realize new market opportunities with a truly exciting combined product set. These bootcamp sessions not only provide visibility into the Avaya's product set, but are also a fabulous opportunity for our mutual customers to gain expert guidance from business leaders and decision makers."

"As the only major distributor to carry both Nortel and Avaya, Westcon has the best vantage point to help resellers get in front of what is an extremely promising opportunity," said Jim Filbin, president of Canton, MA based Beacon Telecom, Inc. who attended the Philadelphia bootcamp last month. "We walked away more confident and more knowledgeable about how we might leverage the Avaya product set in solving our customers' business problems."