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The Launch of the Zoom HaaS Program

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While the press coverage of Zoom’s new touchscreen device (the first device certified as Zoom for Home), the DTEN ME is not the big story.

$599 DTEN ME is a 27-inch touchscreen device with three smart webcams and eight noise-reducing microphones--and it comes pre-loaded with the Zoom software. But Zoom isn’t building the hardware; San Jose-based DTEN makes this videoconferencing appliance.

Zoom HaaS Program

While interesting, already last year Zoom Video Communications had introduced Zoom Rooms Appliances, their first purpose-built, turnkey appliance endpoints designed to make it easier to build a full solution around Zoom Rooms.

Making hardware, or rather partnering on hardware, is already de facto at Zoom.

The bigger news: Zoom is launching a Hardware-as-a-Service [HaaS] model with Zoom Hardware. With Zoom's size in the market, a successful HaaS execution holds BIG implications for the industry.

This program was started in the USA but it’s on trial for global expansion—and may also  inspire competitors to try their equivalent actions.

Nuvias Group's Konekt, for one, has Master Agent status in Europe. 

Jeff Smith, Head of Zoom Rooms at Zoom Video Communications, told Channel Buzz.ca that “It enables customers to deploy Zoom Rooms and hardware easier than ever, and both gets around upfront costs and concerns about being locked in with a specific hardware vendor.”

Zoom HaaS bundles the Zoom software and the hardware (from DTEN, Neat, Poly, Yealink and, no doubt, more to come) into a single invoice.

In addition to participating in Zoom’s Hardware as a Service (HaaS) program available in USA, Neat of Norway will launch Neat as a Service (NaaS), its global hardware subscription program that provides customers with innovative hardware solutions for a low monthly price.

Zoom's Jeff Smith

Zoom provides all the support, as well as any required professional or managed services.

Big IT resellers and proAV integrators will see little opportunity here because Zoom Rooms Appliances aims at the SME audience, especially the smallest.

It’s a turnkey offering and not likely to appeal to margin-conscious value-added partners.

But Master Agents are a different story…

In March of this year, Zoom quietly added “Master Agents” to their channel program—and quickly signed up three American UCaaS players.

The Program offers Master Agents a number of rich Partner Benefits and operational efficiencies including:

  • Access to represent Zoom’s entire industry-leading product suite
  • Ongoing commission on Zoom’s products for the life of the customer
  • Simplified and streamlined sales engagement, and
  • No-cost tools and resources to ensure Partner success

In the HaaS program, Zoom directly handles the financing (not the hardware vendor or another partner), but Smith says Zoom Rooms Appliances isn’t just a financing program.

“In addition to the financing, there is a lot of integration,” he told Channel Buzz.ca. “The shipment status is now updated in the Zoom web portal. In addition, when you go to install the device, the device is now uniquely identified in your account so it can be installed in minutes.

“At the end of the 3-year commitment you ship them back without needing to depreciate them, and can either just return them or elect to get a new device.”

“For those kinds of channel partners who engage with us, there’s a lot of space in larger rooms that isn’t covered by our HaaS portfolio,” Smith adds. “We go to market directly with this or through our master agent program because it is aimed directly at small and medium spaces.”

But Smith indicated Zoom may well come up with as-a-Service offerings more suited to integrators and Pro/AV resellers.

“We are getting our feet wet with this,” he said in the interview.

But while Zoom gets its feet wet, others worry the same waters may swamp their business.

Go Zoom Tries Out Hardware-as-a-Service in USA

Go Channel Buzz.ca Interview with Jeff Smith, Head of Zoom Rooms

Nuvias Creates "Everything-as-a-Service" Division

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Nuvias launches Konekt, dedicated to next generation Cloud and XaaS technologies. 

Konekt logo

Konekt focuses on providing next generation Cloud and XaaS technologies through a wholesale and "master agency" business model.

The new division will further leverage Nuvias UC’s multi-tiered online platform – HUB.

Hub – the advanced commerce platform underpinning Konekt, was built by Nuvias UC from the ground up with the channel in mind. Thanks to intelligent software, billing automation, master agent referrals and fully co-brandable interface, Hub enables partners to introduce, automate and accelerate their own digital offering, leveraging Nuvias' cloud vendors.

Hub lets Konekt say, "You don’t have to be a Cloud or Software reseller to leverage these. Konekt can help you transform your business to a digital and subscription model with ease. We do the hard work for you, so you can start selling cloud solutions immediately."

This XaaS announcement comes just after Nuvias became a European "Master Agent" for Zoom. (Read more here on Zoom's program, The Launch of the Zoom HaaS Program.)

Nuvias CEO Steve Harris

Nuvias UC CEO Steve Harris says, "Konekt is a further commitment to our partners that we will continue to find new ways for them to access additional revenue streams. 

"By creating a dedicated, and independent division and a new master agent business model, we can help our partners embrace digital transformation, supporting them in the Cloud transition."

Konekt's vendors at this point are  *Acronis, Hellosign Dropbox Business* and *Zoom*.

Nuvias Group is a pan-EMEA, high value distribution business, a portfolio with IT solutions in three areas – Cybersecurity (based on the former Wick Hill); Advanced Networking (based on the former Zycko) and Unified Communications (based on the former SIPHON). Nuvias Group has 21 regional offices across EMEA and a turnover in excess of $500 million.

Go Konekt

Go Nuvias 

Work-From-Home Hardware from HP

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More than ever, the workforce needs technology and tools to stay productive, HP says as it launches a range of additions to the Personal Systems portfolio, including mobile workstations, desktop Elite PCs and "ergonomic" monitors.

HP work from home

“As we experience a new normal that blurs reality between life and work, it’s clear that the PC is essential-- allowing us to work, live, learn, collaborate, and create regardless of distance,” the company says. “Today’s line-up of innovative products, our largest commercial product launch ever, including the next generation of Elite PCs and desktops, the world’s first ergonomic monitors with always-on low blue-light, and the world’s brightest 14-inch mobile workstation, along with dedicated services to improve remote employee experiences, reinforces HP’s commitment to equipping workers with the right tools, power, and performance for the ultimate work from home experience.”

Kramer Releases 18G-Capable 4K Digital Scaler

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Kramer electronicsThe Kramer Electronics VP-451 is an 18G-capable 4K digital scaler for HDMI and USB-C signals. The unit up and down as well as cross-scales to resolutions up to 4K@60hz (4:4:4).

Users can automatically set the output resolution to follow the native resolution of the source, or set it manually to a custom resolution. The VP-451 supports HDR10 and HDCP 2.2/1.4, and features input auto-switching, constant sync on the output (even if the input video signal is lost or interrupted), and a built-in ProcAmp for convenient signal adjustment.

Matrox Ships D-Series D1480 Multi-Display Graphics Card

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Matrox announces the D-Series D1480, a single-slot multi-display graphics card purpose-built to power next-generation video walls with support for up to four 4K@60Hz DisplayPort monitors.

Matrox D-Series

Customers can combine the D1480 to drive an output video wall of up to 16 synchronised 4K displays. Along with an assortment of video wall software and developer tools, the D1480 enables OEMs, system integrators and AV installers to deploy high-performance display walls for a broad range of commercial and critical 24/7 applications, including control rooms, enterprises, industries, government, military, digital signage and broadcast.

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