Sytec Connects N-able Managed Services to Cisco Unified Communications

Sytec Business Solutions, a managed service provider in Raleigh, N.C., is developing middleware that bridges the gap between N-able and Cisco’s Unified Communications platform, dubbed Call Manager.

As a result, Sytec generates additional recurring revenue from small and midsize businesses that are seeking managed IP phone systems, according to Richard Helms, managed of network operations at Sytec.

Here’s a bit more about Sytec, a member of our MSPmentor 100 list, and its managed unified communications strategy.

Sytec Business Solutions recently earned its Advanced Unified Communications Specialization from Cisco, and is one of only three solutions providers in the Raleigh area to hold the designation, according to Bill Garner, technical services director at Sytec.

Sytec also runs N-able to remotely manage and pro-actively monitor customer networks. The company’s typical managed services agreement covers roughly 50 to 75 devices, according to Richard Helms, manager of network operations at Sytec.

In recent months, Sytec has been “heading to a new frontier” and developing code that allows N-able to monitor Cisco’s Call Manager system, says Garner. Helms describes the code as somewhat akin to “managed services middleware.”

Looking ahead, Sytec is calling on N-able to help bolster the MSP’s efforts. In particular, Sytec hopes N-able will offer reporting capabilities for Cisco Call Manager.

I expect to meet N-able CEO Gavin Garbutt on August 19, and will ask him whether N-able has such plans, and I’ll also get some higher-level thoughts about the convergence of unified communications with managed services.