AAPT & iProvide: one big telcos approach to small business

Stuart Corner
Sunday, 15 July 2007 16:51

Opinion and Analysis

Complementing this is online ordering and configuration system that 'shields' the channel from the complexities of AAPT. "We have built an automated ordering process where our channel partners can go on line and order a very sophisticated combination of voice features, data services and Internet and VPN as an integrated package," Sykes says.

He adds that a key feature of the system is that it enables channel partners to easily check on the progress of a customer order. "Our channel partners can go in via our portal and see where their order is up to: that reduces the number of phone calls and makes them much more responsive to customers. "

The channel partner, often a small business, 'owns' the small business customer and is provided with large carrier products and services tailored for the small business market and at the same time is shielded from the complexities of dealing with a large carrier and provisioning large carrier services. Sounds like a good idea to me.