5 Channel Stories: Windstream UC, RingCentral Platinum Partner, MEF Finalists

Windstream expanded its UC solution, and Telarus grew its team this week.

Extreme Networks launched partner updates and multiple companies offered up SD-WAN-related announcements. We also saw some controversy, with one of the largest service providers dealing with a data breach.

We’ve summarized five hot stories from Oct. 21-25 for you to read. Scroll down and take a glimpse before you start your pre-Halloween weekend.

5. Windstream OfficeSuite UC Now Available to SMBs

The carrier introduced its unified communications offering to its “Kinetic Business by Windstream” unit.

Partners can now sell OfficeSuite UC to businesses of all sizes. A Windstream executive said expanding the solution opens up opportunities with small and midsize customers.

“We are committed to bringing forward new solutions that meet the rapidly growing needs of the small-to-midsize business universe,” he said.

Edward Gately has the scoop.

4. AT&T, Verizon, Windstream, CenturyLink Among Finalists for Ethernet Achievement

The Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) recognized seven companies as finalists for an award recognizing “the most innovative use of MEF 3.0/Carrier Ethernet/SD-WAN services.”

Another smattering of telcos landed among the MEF’s Service Provider Award finalists. Several SD-WAN vendors, including Silver Peak and Versa, are in the running for awards.

See more of the finalists.

3. Telarus Hires PlanetOne, ShoreTel Alum for Arizona Channel

Telarus partners working out of Arizona now have a dedicated representative.

The master agent tapped Tanya Palmateer as its senior partner development manager for the Grand Canyon State. She’s a longtime friend of the agent channel, having worked for multiple Telarus supplier partners.

Learn more about Palmateer.

2. RingCentral ID’s Newest Platinum Partner

The UCaaS vendor gave a big nod to one of its partners.

ConvergeOne joined RingCentral’s Platinum Partner Program to serve as a strategic seller of unified communications, collaboration and contact center.

“ConvergeOne understands the changing market dynamics from the world of legacy on-premises systems to the new cloud solutions, and we’re thrilled they have selected RingCentral as their strategic unified communications as a service (UCaaS) solutions partner,” RingCentral’s senior vice president of global channel sales said.

Read about their partnership.

1. Report: CenturyLink Customers’ Personal Data Exposed Online

Not great, Bob.

Comparitech revealed that a database containing CenturyLink customer information had been lying exposed for about 10 months. That information includes names, email addresses, home addresses and phone numbers, but CenturyLink said in a statement that no financial information was compromised.

“We will continue to work to protect customer information,” a spokesperson said. “CenturyLink takes the protection of our customers’ information seriously, and we will work to ensure that we earn our customers’ trust.”

Get details about the incident.