HomeNewsColt launches new range of simplified on-demand services for SMEs

Colt launches new range of simplified on-demand services for SMEs

London, 10 April, 2013Colt, the leading information delivery platform, today announced the launch of Colt Ceano, a unique suite of converged information and communications technology (ICT) services, across Europe. Colt Ceano will provide channel partners with a comprehensive range of on-demand ICT services for their SME customers within a single contract. Fully scalable and flexible, Colt Ceano allows partners and their customers to add or remove services via an online portal with speed and ease, without the need for upfront capital outlay on new hardware. The comprehensive portal enables partners to order, sell, configure and manage services to meet the individual requirements of their SME customers.

Services include: virtual server, virtual desktop, security and infrastructure management, communication and collaboration applications, voice and internet access*.

Designed to provide a simplified approach to ICT delivery, Colt Ceano enables SMEs to source a full range of network, communications and cloud-based IT services from their preferred Colt channel partner. Furthermore, Colt Ceano means that businesses only pay for the services and capacity they need, safe in the knowledge that these can be scaled up and down as required. With new services added on an on- going basis, SMEs will continue to benefit from access to an expanding and innovative portfolio, hosted in Colt’s datacentres. By reducing the cost and complexity associated with managing multiple IT suppliers, SMEs will be free to focus on what concerns them the most – their core business.

James Eibisch, Research Director for IDC commented: – SMEs need clear and affordable services that are simple to use and can be scaled. Being able to cherry-pick from the services available and pay only for the services and capacity they need is the key. Colt’s offering and its strength in uniform SLAs, backed by its enterprise-class network and data centre facilities across Europe resonates well with the needs of SMEs who often have very specific managed service requirements.

Colt Ceano will help Colt’s channel partners serve the needs and delivery preferences of SMEs quickly and effortlessly, combining clear and competitive pricing with a wide range of state-of-the-art business technology solutions from a single provider. Channel partners also have the option to widen the Colt provided portfolio with their own services and solutions. Colt Ceano is securely hosted within Colt’s own datacentres, with extensive firewall and backup, underpinned by Colt’s extensive pan-European fibre network, so partners and customers can be confident that their business-critical data is securely held with maximum availability, all guaranteed by Colt’s industry-leading service level agreements (SLAs).

Keith Humphreys, managing consultant at EuroLAN Research states:- For resellers, being a one-stop shop for network and cloud-based computing, messaging, collaboration and infrastructure services and offering first-mover status into cloud services rather than a ‘big-bang’ approach creates a competitive advantage. VARs and resellers are transitioning from selling products to selling solutions, Colt Ceano will enable channel partners to benefit from on-going revenue streams and deeper customer relationships through on-going service provision, with easy ordering, management and configuration of services through a dedicated online portal.

Businesses are looking to gain increased efficiencies and improved performance from their IT investments as well as ensuring the integrity of their data. They also face challenges of how to integrate new applications with existing systems and employing the right resources to maintain these. Colt Ceano has been designed to help SMEs reduce this complexity while offering them the flexibility they need. Colt’s suite of applications, hosted in our own secure data centres, combined with our voice and network services provide tangible business benefits to the SME by reducing complexity and cost,‖ states Francois Eloy, EVP, Colt. – Colt Ceano provides our channel partners with a comprehensive portfolio of connectivity and managed IT services which will deliver new and on-going revenue generating opportunities.

Colt will deliver a comprehensive programme of training and provide resources and support around these new offerings to their expanding network of partners. Colt Ceano will be available in Europe this month. For more information about Colt Ceano or to arrange a trial of the new services. Colt also offers a portfolio of IT, networking and communications services directly to large enterprises.

*Notes to Editors:

Colt Ceano will be available to customers in Spain on April 10th and UK, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and Portugal on April 23rd.

The Colt Ceano portfolio offers a unique range of ICT services within a single contract, including:

  • Business-grade Internet connectivity backed up by rigorous SLAs
  • IAS (Internet Access Services) Mobility to enable secure remote working
  • Advanced Voice and Voice-over-IP (VoIP) services for cost-effective calls
  • Managed Exchange 2010 email services
  • Microsoft Lync 2010 unified communications for presence, instant messaging, voice, video and online meetings
  • Microsoft SharePoint 2010 to support content management and document sharing
  • Soonr Workplace for the creation of virtual project workspaces accessible from anywhere
  • Virtual Servers and Infrastructure to enable remote infrastructure management
  • Hosted Virtual Desktop services, providing secure, centrally managed, personalized virtual desktops
  • Managed Virtual Firewalls and Web Security for improved protection from potential network threats
  • Cloud Backup and Disaster Recovery services to safeguard valuable business-critical data
  • Single management interface for ordering and modifying all of the above services

About Colt

Colt is the information delivery platform, enabling its customers to deliver, share, process and store their vital business information. An established leader in delivering integrated computing and network services to major organisations, midsized businesses and wholesale customers, Colt operates a 22-country, 43,000km network that includes metropolitan area networks in 39 major European cities with direct fibre connections into 19,000 buildings and 20 carrier neutral Colt data centres.

In 2010, the Colt Data Centre Services business was launched to deliver innovative high quality data centre solutions at a Colt or customer site. Our Innovative data centres are rapid to deploy, flexible and highly efficient.

In addition to its direct sales capability, Colt has four indirect channels to market; Agent, Franchise, Distributor and Wholesale which includes Carriers, Service Providers, VARs and Voice Resellers.

Colt is listed on the London Stock Exchange (COLT).

Press Contacts:

Colt
Helen Toft
DDI: +44 (0)2070392420,
Mobile: +44 (0)7855301078
Email: [email protected]

Weber Shandwick, Emma Hedges
DDI: +44 207 067 0512
Mobile: +44 7957 174 504
Email: [email protected]

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