Distributor InTechnology has extended its focus on the voice technology sector with the launch of a Managed Voice Services arm.

Last week the firm unveiled the division, which will invest in areas such as hosted IP PBX voice services. Mark Lower, former chief executive of telecoms firm Evoxus, has been appointed as managing director of the division.

InTechnology added IP telephony to its list of managed services last year (CRN, 17 January). At the time, the distributor confirmed it would offer its IP Voice Connect services over Ether-net using vendor Broadsoft’s hosted voice over IP (VoIP) applications.

Lower told CRN: “InTechnology has increased its managed services business over the past three to four years. With the move into IP, voice is like another application, so the new division is a natural progression.”

He added that InTechnology will now be able to white-label the Evoxus offering as part of a three-year strategic partnership.

“Evoxus has carrier-grade enterprise soft switches,” he said. “It is a traditional minutes telephony business. The business market is ready to accept VoIP, and hosted services is ideal for multi-site customers. InTechnology wants to be the market leader in hosted PBX services.”

Bernie Dodwell, European security manager at distributor Westcon, said: “This is not a unique move; other firms offer such services. However, it makes sense for InTechnology to leverage its investment in networks.”

Last month, InTechnology chief executive Peter Wilkinson revealed the firm would be looking to buy in the VoIP space (CRN, 18 April).

Jess Thompson-Hughes, managing director of distributor React Technologies, said: “Many firms are trying to jump on the managed-services bandwagon. InTechnology might need to buy a firm in the voice arena and acquire a voice customer base.”

trevor_treharne@vnu.co.uk