UC Advanced - issue #23

Issue #23

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News, analysis, insights and more

More Motivated Than Ever to Support

Partner Success All you need to know about Gammaverse

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COMMENT COMMENT

Anticipation

As we roll towards December and Awards season is upon us, welcome to the final issue of UC Advanced for 2025! It’s been a huge year for the UC world, full of innovation, transformation, and more acronyms than even the most seasoned tech professional can reasonably handle. And yes, the big buzzword for the year has undoubtedly been Agentic AI. For anyone still catching up, Agentic AI is the next evolution of

last month’s Gammaverse event, a look at Zoom’s new partner programme, a product overview from Yeastar supported by Nimans, and a simple guide on how to daisy-chain your monitors for a cleaner, more productive workspace. A tidy bundle of UC goodness to round off the year. As we close the book on this

year, we want to thank all our readers, contributors, partners and supporters. The UC industry never stands still, and neither do we. 2026 promises even more advancements (yes, more AI), more

AI assistance. It is technology that doesn’t just help you when asked, but intelligently acts, plans, and optimises on your behalf. It’s the kind of AI that doesn’t wait for direction; it anticipates what you need and gets it done. And as we enter this festive season, if only Father Christmas had it, imagine

Trish Stevens Guest Editor

innovation, and no doubt a refreshed set of tools that redefine how we work,

collaborate and connect. If we don’t see you at the

how smooth Christmas Eve would be. His sleigh would auto-route around turbulence, the naughty-and-nice list would update in real time, and, let’s be honest, Rudolph would finally get the break he deserves while an AI-driven LED nose handles navigation. Now that’s festive efficiency. In this issue, we’re wrapping up the year with a mix of insight and holiday spirit: a hands-on review of the EPOS Impact 500, our Christmas wish-list feature, a recap of

Stockies, we wish you a wonderful Christmas, a well-earned break, and a bright start to the new year. n

See you in 2026!

The

Team

Stockies Week 24 to 27 November

24 NOVEMBER: TECHNOLOGY & STORAGE 25 NOVEMBER: PRINT & SCAN, PERIPHERALS & ACCESSORIES 26 NOVEMBER: AV & UCC 27 NOVEMBER: SPECIALITY AWARDS

Stockies Week

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EVENTS

LONDON What?

Stockies 2025 When? V irtual Awards:

24 November – Technology & Storage 25 November – Printing Solutions, Peripherals & Accessories 26 November – AV & UCC and Live Show for Speciality Awards on 27 November 2025. Save the date!

Where? O nline and 100 Wardour St, London

IRELAND What?

ESPC25 Where? C onvention Centre Dublin, Ireland. When? 1 – 4 December 2025. Register for tickets here.

USA What? CES 2026

Where? Las Vegas, NV, USA. When? 6 – 9 January 2026.

Pricing and registration information found here

SPAIN What?

ISE2026 Where? G ran Via Venue, Barcelona, Spain. When? 3 – 6 February 2026. Early bird tickets available until 31 Dec.

SPAIN What?

MWC2026 Where? G ran Via Venue, Barcelona, Spain. When? 2 – 5 March 2026. Register here.

CONTENTS

p14

Publishing Director Justin Penn 07816 573 186 justin@ucadvanced.com Distribution Nimans – Yeastar p30 Cisco Partner Summit p32 Sinch 2026 Predictions p33 Eagle Eye BI Televisions p34 Daisy Chaining Multiple screen setups p38 Cloudbrink AI adoption p40 People p42 Stockies Shortlists p45 Gammaverse Conference review p23 Hotel TVs Check In and Cast On p27 UCC News • Insights – p8 • Business News – p10 Product Review EPOS IMPACT 500 p14 All I Want for Christmas p19

p23

In a market crowded with headsets boasting flashy features, the EPOS Impact 500 stands out

Gammaverse 2025: More Motivated Than Ever to Support Partner Success

Nimans is big on choice. We explore Yeastar, and what they’ve been delivering to Nimans partners.

p38

...multiple monitors can increase productivity by as much as 42%...

p30

Editorial Guest Editor Trish Stevens trish@ucadvanced.com

Advertising Sales Martin Jenner-Hall 07824 552 116 martin@ucadvanced.com

Dan Parton 07941 979 845 dan@ucadvanced.com

Published by: In the Channel Media Ltd Company registration number: 14363401 Registered office address 14-18 Heddon Street, Mayfair, London, United Kingdom, W1B 4DA

In conjunction with:

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INSIGHTS

UK Retailers Lose Millions

Patchworks Retail Integration Report suggests that UK retailers lose millions a year to broken integrations, and six in ten retailers say poor system connectivity drains revenue. The costs are high: one in ten UK retailers are losing over £1 million annually and sadly 31% experience direct revenue losses during busy trading periods such as Black Friday. The study, commissioned by commerce integration platform Patchworks and conducted by OnePoll, surveyed 200 senior retail decision makers and almost half (48%) of retailers lose more than £50,000 each year due to integration failures, and over a third (39%) of retail teams spend more time firefighting integration issues than optimising sales. Only 27% of retailers describe themselves as fully connected and scalable.

Jim Herbert, CEO of Patchworks stated, “Many retailers are still held back by fragmented systems, siloed operations and legacy processes that drain resources and slow growth. CTO’s in particular are locked into repeated ‘build’ cycles that fail to deliver the scalable connectivity they need to optimise operational performance and accommodate future services.” According to the report, frequent order errors and poor customer experience are the top warning signs of broken integration, flagged by a quarter (23%) and a fifth (20%) of retailers respectively. Point of Sale (34%), CRM (32%) and ecommerce platforms (27%) are seen as the hardest systems to connect, often leaving teams to manually bridge gaps and troubleshoot problems that drain time and resources. n

Jim Herbert CEO

wearepatchworks.com

Lenovo IDC: Agentic AI to double workforce productivity by 2027

Lenovo commissioned research by IDC, which produced the white paper “ Realizing ROI from Agentic AI ” published in August 2025. According to IDC, enterprises are already realizing nearly US$4 in return for every US$1 invested in generative AI, and by 2027 agentic AI is expected to double workforce productivity worldwide, marking a turning point where enterprises are shifting from piloting AI to embedding intelligent automation across their workforces. “Agentic AI is more than a technology shift, it’s a workforce shift,” said Rakshit Ghura, VP and General Manager of Digital Workplace Solutions, Lenovo. “With agentic AI anchoring our broader AI- Enabled Workforce portfolio, we’re helping organizations turn industry projections into real outcomes, unlocking higher productivity, strengthening protection, and

delivering measurable ROI faster than ever.” “At Lenovo, we see services as the bridge between the promise of AI and real customer outcomes,” said John

August 2025 | White Paper, sponsored by Lenovo

Stamer, VP and General Manager of Global Product Services and

Realizing ROI from Agentic AI

Sustainability Services, Lenovo. “That’s why we’ve built solutions that simplify deployment, improve operational efficiencies, and give every employee the right tools and support to succeed.” Security and trust remain at the foundation of Lenovo’s AI-Enabled Workforce. According to Lenovo’s latest Work Reborn Series report, Reinforcing the Modern Workplace , more than 60% of IT leaders said AI agents present new threats they are not ready to manage. In addition, 90% admitted they lack full confidence in defending against AI- powered attacks. n

David Schubmehl Research Vice President, AI and Automation, IDC

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BUSINESS NEWS

Sol Distribution partners Teltonika

Networking solutions distributor Sol Distribution has partnered with Teltonika, a global leader in industrial-grade IoT and

in IoT, edge networking, and critical infrastructure projects.” Teltonika products have features such as dual-SIM failover, advanced VPN security and remote management capabilities, making them ideal for system integrators looking to deploy mission-critical IoT and M2M solutions at scale. Ciaran Harkin, CEO for Teltonika UK stated, “Partnering with Sol Distribution allows us to expand our reach in the UK market, ensuring customers not only get access to our full product range but also benefit from Sol’s expert technical support and local stock availability.” n

M2M networking equipment. Sol now offers Teltonika’s full

portfolio of products, including cellular routers, industrial gateways, Ethernet switches, access points and the Remote Management System. Graeme Sutton, Managing Director for Sol Distribution stated, “We are delighted to bring Teltonika into our vendor lineup, their industrial-grade connectivity solutions perfectly complement our existing portfolio, and we see significant opportunities to support our partners

Graeme Sutton Managing Director

sol-distribution.co.uk

Jabra Scheduler Launch

Jabra has launched the Jabra Scheduler, a touchscreen scheduling panel that displays meeting room availability and allows users to reserve spaces directly at the room or through their digital calendars. For more information, click here.

KeySIM surpasses 10,000 active IoT Connections

KeySIM, a UK-based provider of multi- network IoT SIM cards, has recently surpassed 10,000 active IoT connections across more than 500 customers. The milestone reflects a growing shift among businesses away from single-network, contract-based models to a multi-network, pay-as-you-go (PAYG) solution. KeySIM developed a remotely steerable SIM card, allowing users to toggle mobile networks remotely from the KeySIM management platform, giving customers control over connectivity. “Reaching 10,000 connected SIMs is an important milestone for KeySIM and a clear sign that the market is ready for a more agile approach to IoT connectivity,” said Graham Robinson, Founder of

KeySIM. “Our remotely steerable SIM technology, combined with secure access to private IPs, gives businesses real control: they can switch networks remotely, securely reach devices without exposing them to the public internet, and only pay for what they use.” As IoT adoption accelerates globally, KeySIM’s flexible approach offers a future- proof alternative to traditional telecom contracts, enabling organisations to scale efficiently and cost-effectively. n

Graham Robinson Founder

keysim.co.uk

BUSINESS NEWS

Zen is Three Times Ten B Corp certified Zen Internet has marked its 30th anniversary with a celebration at its Rochdale headquarters, honouring three decades of innovation, growth and doing business “the right way”. The company officially opened its doors for business on 13 October 1995, following its incorporation by founders Richard Tang, who is the current CEO, and his brother Daniel on 13 September 1995. The pair had launched their first £10-a-month dial-up service, created from Richard Tang’s kitchen table, which could support six simultaneous users sharing just 64 kbps of bandwidth. Richard started Zen with just £5,000, a few Linux PCs, and those six dial-up modems. The company has grown from a two-

person start-up into one of the UK’s leading independent ISPs, employing more than 650 people and serving businesses and consumers nationwide. It’s 30-year milestone makes it the UK’s longest-standing

Richard Tang

independent Internet Service Provider (ISP). The company remains privately owned and headquartered in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. “It’s testament to our longevity that we are the UK’s oldest ISP,” said Tang. “All our main competitors when we started have long since disappeared – yet we’re still here, stronger than ever, and still independent.” n

zen.co.uk

OpenAI and PayPal Team Up

PayPal will adopt the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP) to expand payments and commerce in ChatGPT. Millions of ChatGPT users will be able to check out instantly using PayPal, and PayPal will support payments processing for merchants leveraging OpenAI Instant Checkout through the delegated payments API. PayPal will also connect its global merchant network to OpenAI,

creating a platform for millions of small businesses and large brands to sell within ChatGPT. “Hundreds of millions of people turn to ChatGPT each week for help with everyday tasks, including finding products they love, and over 400 million use PayPal to shop,” said Alex Chriss, President and CEO of PayPal.

“By partnering with OpenAI and adopting the Agentic Commerce

Protocol, PayPal will power payments and commerce experiences that help people go from chat to checkout in just a few taps for our joint customer bases.” The partnership unlocks the convenience of PayPal's wallet in Instant Checkout, including multiple funding options such as bank, balance, and cards, as well as PayPal’s buyer and seller protections, and post-purchase services such as tracking and dispute resolution, benefits that consumers value when checking out with PayPal. n

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BUSINESS NEWS

AI vs. Reality: Getty Images v Stability AI

Getty Images, a major stock-photo and licensing company, sued Stability AI, the maker of the generative-image model Stable Diffusion in the UK in January 2023. The reason for the lawsuit was the allegation that Stability AI used millions of Getty’s copyrighted images, and their watermarks, without permission, to train Stable Diffusion. The claims included primary copyright infringement (unauthorised copying in training and output) which was later dropped largely due to the training occurring outside of UK jurisdiction, secondary copyright infringement (via distribution/import of an “infringing article”), trademark infringement, “passing off”, and database rights. On 4 November 2025, the UK High Court held that: ⚖ The AI model (Stable Diffusion) does not count as an “infringing copy” under UK law because, although trained on Getty’s works, it never stored or reproduced them in a way that matches the legal definition of an infringing copy. ⚖ Some aspects of Getty’s trademark claims, specifically concerning reproduction of the Getty watermark, found favour, though copyright claims largely failed. It’s one of the first legal tests in the UK of how generative-AI training and output practices intersect with copyright, trademark and database rights. Creative groups hoping to secure a legal breakthrough have been left disappointed. The outcome suggests current UK copyright law may not clearly cover AI models trained at scale on copyrighted works, especially where training happens abroad.

James Clark, Data Protection, AI and Digital Regulation partner at law firm Spencer West LLP commented, “At the heart of the Getty Images judgment is the finding that the training of Stable Diffusion's AI model using copyright work did not result in the production of an infringing copy of that work. At the end of the training process, the AI model did not store any copy of the protected works, and the model itself was not itself an infringing copy of such work. It this finding that will cause concern for the creative industry whilst giving encouragement to AI developers. “The judgment usefully highlights the problem that the creative industry has in bringing a successful copyright infringement claim in relation to the training of large language models. During the training process, the model is not making a copy of the work used to train it, and it does not reproduce that work when prompted for an output by its user. “Rather, the model ‘learns’ from the work, in a similar way to the way that you or I might do so. As an expert report quoted in the judgment explains: “Rather than storing their training data, diffusion models learn the statistics of patterns which are associated with certain concepts found in the text labels applied to their training data, i.e. they learn a probability distribution associated with certain concepts.” n

The judgment usefully highlights the problem that the creative industry has in bringing a successful copyright infringement claim in relation to the training of large language models.

COLLABORATION

NEW IMPACT 500 Series Certified for performance, powered by EPOS AI TM

Designed for the demands of modern communication, the new IMPACT 500 Series ensures crystal-clear calls, lasting comfort, and focus from the first conversation to the last. It is Certified for Microsoft Teams Open Office with a future software release that will add support for Teams over native Bluetooth ® - for dongle free calls.

AI™ and expertly tuned microphones remove unwanted noise , making remote conversations feel almost as real as being there in person.

Effectively reduce background noise during calls and when you need to focus, ensuring you remain productive in any work environment.

Communicate with confidence all day with 36 hours of talk time , talk-through mode and intuitive boom arm call control.

EPOS BrainAdapt™ technology protects brain fatigue caused by poor audio and noise, boosting focus and productivity.

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Contact your distribution partner for further details.

EPOS IMPACT 500 LAUNCH

Less Strain, More Gain EPOS Reduces the Workload on Your Ears

In a market crowded with headsets boasting flashy features, the EPOS Impact 500 stands out not because of any single headline capability, but because of how seamlessly everything works together for a better user experience. From the AI-driven microphones that deliver exceptional voice clarity, to the impressively effective Hybrid ANC and the outstanding battery life, every element feels carefully considered rather than simply added on. What really defines the Impact 500, though, is its clear focus on user satisfaction and wellbeing. EPOS hasn’t just built a headset that performs well – it has built one that deliberately reduces fatigue, supports long working hours and makes the experience of being in meetings, calls or shared spaces noticeably less draining. It’s a cohesive, user-centric design that prioritises comfort, clarity and cognitive ease in equal measure. AI-Enhanced Voice Clarity and Professional Audio Performance The Impact 500 delivers some of the most impressive call clarity in its class, thanks to an evolved audio system built around EPOS AI™ and adaptive beamforming technology. Its three finely tuned microphones scan the environment 32,000 times per second, isolating the user’s voice with exceptional precision while intelligently suppressing surrounding noise. Whether used in an open-plan office or a busy home workspace, the headset produces a natural, full-bodied vocal profile that avoids the compression, hollowness or robotic artefacts often found in lesser models.

This refined performance is reinforced by the headset’s extensive enterprise certifications, including Microsoft Teams Open Office, Zoom Workplace and Google Meet. These standards demand consistent, professional-grade clarity even in challenging acoustic environments, and the Impact 500 meets them convincingly. The result is clean, reliable communication with minimal ambient interference, making conversations sound more like real, in- person dialogue and allowing users to speak confidently in any setting. BrainAdapt™ and Hybrid ANC: Reducing Listening Fatigue One of the most distinctive strengths of the Impact 500 is EPOS’ focus on cognitive wellbeing through its BrainAdapt™ technology. Developed from extensive research into the mental strain caused by prolonged digital communication, BrainAdapt is designed to lessens brain fatigue caused by poor audio. According to EPOS’ internal studies, it can reduce listening effort by up to 67%, helping users maintain better focus, comprehension and information retention throughout the day. Working alongside this is the headset’s Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation, which effectively suppresses environmental distractions and creates a quieter, more controlled auditory space. Together, BrainAdapt and Hybrid ANC do more than simply mute background noise, they help minimise fatigue over long meeting blocks, reduce the cognitive load associated with

Developed from extensive research into the mental strain caused by prolonged digital communication, BrainAdapt is designed to lessens brain fatigue caused by poor audio.

124

inconsistent audio, and support sustained concentration for professionals in high call-volume or mixed-environment work. The result is a noticeably calmer, less tiring communication experience from morning to evening. Lightweight, Comfortable, and Built for Extended Wear Weighing just 139 grams, the Impact 500 is engineered for extended daily use without discomfort. Its breathable leatherette on-ear cushions and well- balanced headband create a secure yet unobtrusive fit that avoids pressure points and minimises heat build-up, even during multi-hour meetings or long stretches of focused work. The understated ergonomics make the headset easy to wear for prolonged periods, offering consistent comfort for both office-based and hybrid professionals. Reliable, Flexible Connectivity for Hybrid Workflows EPOS continues its commitment to simple, robust connectivity. The Impact 500 offers native Bluetooth, a pre-paired USB-C

dongle, a USB-A adapter, and multipoint support for users who regularly switch between devices. Upcoming firmware support for Teams over native Bluetooth will allow many professionals to eliminate dongle use entirely. In an era of increasingly port-limited laptops, this flexibility is a meaningful advantage. Class-Leading Battery Life Battery performance is another area where the Impact 500 clearly excels. With up to 36 hours of talk time, up to 89 hours of listening, and a 10-minute quick charge delivering approximately five hours of use, the headset is designed to accommodate even the most demanding schedules. This longevity places the Impact 500 comfortably above many competing models and contributes significantly to its overall practicality.

Editor’s Verdict

The EPOS Impact 500 delivers a well-balanced blend of professional audio performance, intelligent noise management, and long-term comfort. Its thoughtful engineering creates a headset that not only supports productivity but also reduces the inherent strain of continuous communication. For hybrid workers, UC professionals, and organisations looking for a

reliable, scalable audio solution, the Impact 500 offers premium results at

Thoughtful touches make the Impact 500 feel purpose-built for hybrid work. ☕ Busy light on the earcup to signal when you’re in a call. ☕ Boom-arm call control: flip down to answer, up to mute. ☕ Talk-Through Mode for quick in-person conversations. ☕ Mute LED warning if you talk while muted. ☕ Teams, Zoom and Google Meet certifications.

a notably accessible price point. EPOS has succeeded in producing a headset that is both technically sophisticated and genuinely user- centric. Verdict: A refined, high-performing business headset that stands out for its clarity, comfort, and exceptional endurance. An excellent choice for demanding modern workflows. n

ucadvanced.com

13 15

Europe’s leadi solutions

At Hammer, we’re not just a distributor - we’re Europe’s specialist in enterprise technology. From day one, we’ve been driven by a clear mission: to empower partners through expertise, innovation, and personal service.

What we do We deliver enterprise-class infrastructure – servers, storage, networking, components, cybersecurity, and AI – with precision. Whether building data centres or deploying edge solutions, we provide scalable technology to meet real-world challenges.

How we do it We combine deep technical

Why we do it We believe technology should enable growth, not complicate it. Our purpose is to help businesses scale with confidence, transform with clarity, and lead with impact. From hybrid cloud to sustainability, we’re here to unlock potential.

knowledge, world-class vendor partnerships, and end-to-end service models. Our collaborative approach ensures the right solution - every time. From consultation to deployment and beyond, we’re with you at every step.

ing enterprise s provider

Same team. New look. Deeper expertise

www. hammerdistribution .com

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Stay Ahead of Your Microsoft Renewals Make renewals a growth opportunity, not a deadline

Renewals are your chance to protect customers, secure revenue and uncover new opportunities. By acting early, you can plan smarter, explore upgrades and make sure every customer gets the most from Microsoft. Arrow helps you keep renewals on track with guidance, insight and tools that make the process simple and profitable. Get ahead, stay in control and grow your Microsoft business with Arrow. Stay ahead. Stay connected. Visit secure-eugo.arrow.com/Microsoft-Renewals

All I Want for Christmas is…

Dear Reseller Santa, We toil and type from nine until five, Amidst boxes and racks, striving to thrive. We ask not for much—just these fabulous delights, To lighten our days and brighten our nights.

Dear Professionals I thought long and hard About what you may like, And here’s my selection That will bring you delight. Love from Reseller Santa

So, Santa Reseller dear, as you fly on your way,

Think of the professionals at workspaces every day. Love from... The Professionals

Keyboard by Candlelight Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 Keyboard

Powered by sunlight and desk lamp’s glow, This keyboard charges as you go. No cables needed, no recharge fight, Four months strong, even through the night. Smart shortcuts flow with every key, Across devices, it moves seamlessly. Sleek design to elevate your day, The Solar+ keeps work effortless, just your way.

ucadvanced.com

Portable Reality, Reimagined ASUS AirVision M1

Step into a world where screens feel new,

With a 100-inch view made just for you. Bright, vivid colours that truly ignite, At 1100 nits, everything looks right. Light as air for work on the go, Multiscreen freedom wherever you flow. Game with the Ally for visuals supreme, AirVision turns every moment into a dream.

Sleigh Your Setup with this 9-in-1 9-in-1 USB4 Docking Station DUF-901

Plug in the dock and your workflow ignites, Nine tools in one for peak working nights. One power tap, and every port comes alive, Dual screens stretching your vision to thrive. With USB4, your 8K dreams come true, Fast transfers blazing everything you do. Aluminum cool keeps heat on the low, And 2.5GbE pushing data to go-go-go.

Let Your Voice Be Merry & Bright Poly Voyager Legend 50 Headset

When the world gets noisy, this headset’s your guide,

It keeps your voice clear with AI by your side. Wind, crowds, and chatter all fade from the call, So you sound your best with no fuss at all. Light on your ear and comfy all day, Perfect for work or holiday play. Connect as you move, from home to the street, With clear, festive calls that always sound sweet.

Two bright OLED screens expand your view, A workspace that grows from one screen to two. Power for days with AI at its core, Ready for tasks, adventures, and more. Built to multitask, portable and sleek, It handles your workload every day of the week. From edits to meetings, wherever you go, A dual-screen boost from the ASUS DUO. Two Screens, One Merry Machine ASUS Zenbook DUO

UC Advanced wishes all UCC Distributors and Resellers fantastic Seasonal Sales. May your shopping baskets be full with UCC devices this Golden Quarter.

ucadvanced.com

Solutions that work the way you do

Experience effortless productivity with Signature Slim Solar+ Keyboard and Zone Wireless 2 ES Headset — built for uninterrupted focus and powered by innovation designed to keep you in your flow.

ADAPTIVE HYBRID ANC

GAMMAVERSE 2025

Gammaverse 2025: More Motivated Than Ever to Support Partner Success

‘Today isn’t about platforms or products or portals… it’s all about how we can build stronger businesses, stronger partnerships, and drive stronger growth for the whole channel.’

Webex: ‘Welcome to the start of something special’ The opening line from the launch video said it all. While Will did say that Gammaverse was more than just products, the market launch of Webex for Gamma was a key highlight. Described by Andrew Robinson, Gamma’s Head of UCaaS Practice, as ‘not just a new product, but a new opportunity’, Webex functionality is the next step in Gamma’s UCaaS portfolio expansion. Both Webex paths (Webex for Gamma and Horizon with Webex) are built to complement each other, rather than compete. The ‘two distinct paths’, as CEO

With these words, Will Morey, Managing Director of Gamma Business, set the tone for Gammaverse 2025 at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre. It reaffirmed Gamma’s dedication to its channel partner community and willingness to go the extra mile. This event is always more than just a showcase of technology. It acts as a rallying cry to collaborate and innovate as one cohesive unit. Getting the wider partner community together allows everyone to see ‘outstanding examples of the channel at its best.’ This year’s Gammaverse certainly proved that.

This event is always more than just a showcase of technology. It acts as a rallying cry to collaborate and innovate as one cohesive unit.

CONTINUED

ucadvanced.com

GAMMAVERSE 2025

of Gamma Business John Murphy noted, epitomised that notion. Horizon with Webex acts as the stepping stone to advanced collaboration, at a time when ‘the only place Horizon is going is forwards.’ No matter the requirements or existing portfolio, ‘Webex will have the answer for it.’ Lauren Williams, UCaaS Sales Specialist, explained how Webex’s embedded AI acts as a practical tool to save time and deliver better experiences for both employees and customers. Features like smart audio and live transcription are part of AI’s growing role as an essential part of how we work. Reducing the number of manual tasks leads to more meaningful engagements that demonstrates how CX is right at the heart of Gamma’s Webex proposition. These ‘aren’t just features… they’re bolt-ons’, with each one critical in helping partners differentiate in a crowded market. Integrating Webex into Gamma’s UCaaS portfolio represents a strategic move to give partners access to enterprise- grade collaboration tools. Real-time call summaries and customer sentiment analysis means ‘every interaction is handled with confidence.’ Additional CX capabilities via the Cisco Webex contact centre means that, through the power of AI, CX is ‘not just seamless, but proactive.’ Against the three pillars of communication. Webex for Gamma ‘comes into its own.’ Gamma’s partners are at the front of the queue in bringing a powerful and practical solution to their customer bases. As the launch video suggested, ‘welcome to the start of something special.’ Innovation: ‘Not just about surviving in a crowded market, but about leading it’ When the channel works together, as Will Morey observed, ‘we punch way above our weight.’ The challenger spirit Gamma seeks to invoke reflects the overarching message from Gamma’s first keynote

speaker of the day – ‘Be More Pirate.’ The respected author and entrepreneurial pirate Sam Conniff arrived on stage with this statement emblazoned on both screen and front cover. He heralded pirates as ‘innovators’ who gave us a ‘new paradigm of what can be achieved by a small group of organisations setting out to take on the world.’ Blackbeard’s own mastery of self-branding and stories is an acclaimed example of such innovation in action.

John Murphy

It comes down to challenging out of date rules ‘not chaotically or destructively, but creatively and accountably.’ Sam encouraged the audience to know where they are in relation to their ‘dragons.’ In essence, piracy is just innovative people ‘pulling at the edges until they find a new way of doing thing.’ If that’s the case, then Gamma has already embraced the idea to ‘Be More Pirate.’ Solutions like iPECS and SafeWeb were showcased as part of a broader innovation framework. SafeWeb Pro builds on the initial proposition as cyber security for SMBs, with additional insurance for added peace of mind. iPECS was praised for its feature-rich voice capabilities and ability to future-proof customer communications as businesses transition to the cloud. Everything that Gamma does in the channel is influenced with partner success in mind. It’s always about finding the edge and ‘tipping the game in their favour.’ That was the underlying message throughout each session at Gammaverse

Lauren Williams

In essence, piracy is just innovative people

‘[pulling] at the edges until they find a new way of doing thing.

– ‘standing shoulder to shoulder’ and getting ahead in a crowded market. Again, that’s why there are two distinct Webex paths in play. Whether it’s Horizon with Webex or Gamma with Webex, partners can go to market with technology that’s innovative and stands out. They can meet end customer needs with confidence and speed. Both those principles governed the improvements made to the Gamma portal. CTO Colin Lees explained how the modernised portal brings products to market faster and ‘help partners be more successful.’ Feeding in more data develops deeper insights that provides a ‘rich view of the customer estate’ in a portal that’s more powerful than ever. ‘Technology has got to solve customer problems.’ That’s why a more modernised, streamlined partner portal is instrumental in future partner success. At the end of the day, that’s what Gammaverse is about. It’s a chance to highlight the work being done to support lasting partner success. Right now, Gamma is ‘more motivated than ever to drive on and… support partner success.’

promise to the wider community. For Will, it’s a commitment to being aligned and ‘putting every ounce of Gamma’s energy into helping drive businesses forward and grow.’ Edge is about giving partners a competitive advantage, ‘connecting Gamma’s strengths to partner’s business priorities.’ Each distinct pillar is tailored to those unique goals, bringing tools and insights together to help partners move faster and stronger. Whether it’s scaling growth or unlocking more value with a broader portfolio, there’s one constant with Gamma Edge – it was built by listening. To help capture those conversations, Business Planning Director Holly Mack unveiled the Voice of the Channel initiative. With ‘growth harder than ever before’, there’s now a more concentrated effort to listen to what partners desire from Gamma. These first-hand insights shape the strategy and actions of Gamma, reinforcing how this initiative is an ‘ongoing commitment and programme’ to strengthen relationships. The goal, as Holly summarised, is to ‘listen to what partners need from us.’ Portfolio expansion has come from such an understanding. Customers want problems solved, and they want immediate access to the solutions to do it. Gamma’s evolving product suite is designed to help partners transition from transactional sales to transformative customer relationships. Partners such as Associated Telecom and Blizzard were invited on stage to shine a light on their own UCaaS success stories. Rory Austin, Operations Director at Associated Telecom, showcased how AI transcription and summaries via Webex for Gamma opened new vertical markets and cut down time spent on manual processes. Stuart Bell, Group Sales and Strategy Director at Blizzard, saw the iPECS proposition as a ‘broad, very strong product’ that their team had a strong belief in.

Colin Lees

With ‘growth harder than ever before’, there’s now a more concentrated effort to listen to what partners desire from Gamma.

Partnership: ‘Outstanding examples of the channel at its best’

The very core of Gammaverse 2025 is a celebration of partnership. Gamma, as Will pointed out, ‘only exists because of the people represented in this room.’ Rather than just being a rhetorical statement, it was one back by action and evidence. Listening to partners is ‘such an important part of Gamma’s channel strategy.’ Only then can a full understanding of existing challenges be properly understood and overcome. It builds a foundation on how to align and ‘be truly successful.’ The principles of listening and solving challenges inspired the launch of Gamma Edge. While it is a partner-led growth framework and programme, it’s a

Holly Mack

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GAMMAVERSE 2025

part accordingly, and everyone is ‘part of something bigger than themselves.’ Having experienced both highs and lows on the field, Joe understands what resilience is. From Premiership titles and Six Nations glory to World Cup heartbreak and that loss to Wales in 2013, Joe found strength by ‘drawing on those relationships… to go through thick and thin together.’ His conversation with Channel Director Matt Barnett brought the day to a fitting close. High chance that the session, for a tech conference, was the most times the f-word had ever been used…

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Matt Barnett and Joe Marler

‘One Partnership, Endless Possibilities’ Gammaverse 2025 certainly isn't

Times of uncertainty test the resilience of any professional partnership, and only long-term collaboration with partners brings sustainable growth. Tough times don’t last; resilient businesses do.

Both stories reinforced Gamma’s role as a trusted advisor, rather than just a vendor. But, as always, there’s more to a partnership than meets the eye. CFO Bill Castell and Paul Billingham of Knight Corporate Finance shifted the focus to the unspoken value of partnership. Times of uncertainty test the resilience of any professional partnership, and only long-term collaboration with partners brings sustainable growth. Tough times don’t last; resilient businesses do. Perhaps the day’s best testament to partnership and resilience was with the second keynote speaker, Joe Marler. Since retiring from professional rugby, Joe has yearned to be part of a team environment where everyone pulls together ‘for that common goal, that common purpose.’ Everyone plays their

like any other conference. It’s the perfect opportunity to connect with new people and openly share what’s working and what’s challenging. It’s an arena that pushes Gamma to understand how to better support partners. Sam Conniff urged the crowd to overcome the paradox of knowing what works and pushing boundaries. Frustration comes from inspiration without action. Small but bold actions drive momentum, and that sense of ‘mutiny’ and rule breaking should keep pushing businesses forward. Gamma, through events like Gammaverse, is helping partners rewrite the rules and start something special. n

Need a Gammverse Refresh? Click here

Matt Warboys

CONNECTIVITY

Check In and Cast On

Hotel TVs today are way more capable than the old “10 channels and a channel guide” experience.

Smart hotel TVs can often support built-in casting such as Google Cast, let guests stream Netflix, YouTube or Prime Video from their own devices, all securely doing so without logging in on the TV. Casting has become an essential part of the modern guest experience, with hotel groups increasingly looking to make it a brand standard. Most modern hospitality models come with preloaded OTT apps or support app marketplaces, so guests can browse content just like at home.

Uniguest and Samsung Hospitality TVs Guests can now stream their own

Google Cast into Samsung Hospitality TVs and delivering it through our Hotel Hub platform, we’re giving hotels a certified, secure and scalable solution that sits alongside interactive TV, digital signage and other engagement tools.” Philips MediaSuite TV Series Two new Philips MediaSuite are delivering personalised in-room entertainment to guestrooms: the new 6000 Series with Ambilight and 7000 Series UltraSlim style. The models ship Netflix ready and include Google Cast™ integrated technology as standard. Guests can access thousands of popular apps on the Google Play store, and the MediaSuite TVs are compatible with Apple AirPlay, however a system integration partner will need to install and manage the Gateway and associated network services to make Airplay available. Helping to control the amount of data used in any given guest room, the unique Bandwidth Guard on Philips MediaSuite TVs can be activated to limit demand on the network infrastructure, reducing data and optimising the performance of every in-room TV. n

content from personal devices directly to Samsung’s HBU800, HU7000F and HU8000F Hospitality TVs, powered by Uniguest Hotel Hub. The integration eliminates the need for external dongles or hardware. For hotels, it reduces costs, simplifies maintenance and ensures a fully branded guest interface. Nigel Bateson, Head of Reseller Hospitality (Europe) at Uniguest comments, “Guests want the freedom to enjoy their own content in the hotel room as easily as they do at home. By embedding

Nigel Bateson Head of Reseller Hospitality (Europe)

uniguest.com

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Making growth altogether simpler!

As the ‘go to’ people for end-to-end connectivity and licence-based solutions Nimans Connect makes growth simple with:

Easy-to-sell bundles Provisioning portal

Competitive tariffs White labelled billing

Combined with Nimans’ trusted hardware expertise, resellers can offer complete, multi-vendor communications packages that drive recurring revenue, strengthen customer loyalty, and create long-term opportunity. Reduce the need for multi-vendor partnerships as Connect serves as your single source provider offering: • A wide choice of leading brands to match every customer requirement. • 100% channel focussed offering – we will never compete with you. • Comprehensive billing capability with both wholesale and our bureau solution Connect Pro Billing.

Going further to make connectivity simpler! Visit nimans.net/connect or get in touch at connectsales@nimans.net

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DISTRIBUTION

Collaborating for Market Success

Nimans is big on choice. Nimans offers resellers and MSPs that choice through a variety of products, vendors and solutions. In this issue, we explore Yeastar, and what they’ve been delivering to Nimans partners.

The partnership with Yeastar has enabled Nimans to build on their commitment of giving resellers and their customers choice. Yeastar’s proposition gives Nimans’ partners the ability to offer on- premise, cloud and software editions of the P-Series, all of which have been rolled out since February ‘25. Nimans’ partners are now in a position to benefit from Yeastar’s interoperability, turnkey and out-of-the-box options, as well as their simple pricing model, with no hidden extras for additional features. The P-Series is not only highly featured but there is a white labelled portal option for resellers to brand their customer facing platform.

customers understand the opportunity integrated AI capability brings.” The support Nimans gets as a distributor has allowed them to quickly roll out the whole proposition and onboard over 100 Nimans’ partners in only a few months. Andrew is complimentary, saying, “The account management support in Tonna Tang and the marketing team has allowed us to get the right message and support out to our resellers.” Yeastar’s Academy offers free certification courses, webinars, and self-paced learning resources, ensuring that partners are equipped with the knowledge and skills to deliver exceptional service to their customers, so both Nimans and their resellers are well supported pre and post sales. UC Advanced asked Tonna Tang from Yeastar some rapid-fire questions: Q What is the unique value proposition of Yeastar’s solutions compared to other players in the UCaaS market? Tonna: Yeastar’s unique value proposition lies in delivering an easy- first, all-in-one UC platform that can be deployed flexibly — on-premises, self- hosted, or in the cloud — with a consistent interface and feature set across all deployment types. This means businesses and partners can choose the model that

Andrew Cooper Head of Nimans Connect

nimans.net/connect

Yeastar allows our resellers to meet customer requirements in a number of segments particularly with their contact centre and hospitality solutions.

Andrew Cooper commented, “Yeastar allows our resellers to meet customer requirements in a number of segments particularly with their contact centre and hospitality solutions. Also, resellers can target customers on legacy platforms to offer a seamless migration to one of Yeastar’s models.” Andrew points out that Yeastar’s objectives and future development plans “help Nimans and our resellers tackle the switch off with a robust UC platform to take to market as well as ensuring our

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best fits their needs without compromising usability, scalability, or control. Yeastar integrates UC, voice, video, messaging, call center, and management tools in one unified system, making communication simpler to deploy, manage, and scale. Q Any successful UK Yeastar examples you wish to share with us? Tonna: This year, one of our key focuses in the UK market has been helping customers migrate smoothly from other platforms. We’ve introduced a comprehensive set of migration tools that allow organisations to complete a full migration within hours — in some cases, overnight. As a result, Yeastar achieved 30% year-over-year customer growth, with customers reporting up to 20% reductions in infrastructure costs after switching to Yeastar. These results show how Yeastar’s flexible architecture and all- in-one capabilities empower partners and end users to transition seamlessly while boosting efficiency. Q MSPs and resellers like to get ahead of the curve, so any trends you’re seeing now and coming up in 2026/2027 for UC and/or on-prem/cloud developments? Tonna: In the UK, the PSTN switch-off continues to accelerate cloud migration, creating strong demand for UC solutions that integrate seamlessly with ITSP and MSP offerings. We’re seeing MSPs increasingly bundle UC services with connectivity or IT support for smoother project transitions. At the same time, white-label UC platforms are gaining traction, enabling MSPs to expand their service portfolios and strengthen customer ownership under their own brand. Beyond that, hybrid deployment models remain popular as customers seek flexibility and control. From a broader perspective, AI-driven efficiency,

automation for MSP workflows, and cost- optimised UC migration will be the key trends shaping 2026 and 2027. Q Are Yeastar preparing or responding to future trends? Tonna: Absolutely! We’re actively investing in AI capabilities to enhance user experience and automate UC management. At the same time, we’re strengthening collaboration with ITSPs to provide more integrated solutions for our partners. Product-wise, Yeastar is committed to faster update cycles and continuous innovation to ensure our offerings evolve in sync with market demand and technological progress. Q What is Yeastar really excited about? Tonna: We’re truly excited about the rising cloud adoption trend, which is opening up tremendous opportunities

Tonna Tang Regional Head, UKI, SEE, Oceania

yeastar.com

We’re actively investing in AI capabilities to enhance user experience and automate UC management.

– especially among SMBs that are modernising their communication systems. The PSTN switch-off is

accelerating this shift, driving more SMBs to embrace unified communications as they look for scalable, cost-effective, and future-ready solutions. At the same time, AI-driven innovation is set to redefine UC experiences. From intelligent call handling to smart collaboration and automated management, AI will empower SMBs to achieve enterprise-grade efficiency without complexity. For Yeastar and our partners, this convergence of cloud growth, SMB digital transformation, and AI-enabled UC is what makes the future. n

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