BY SUSAN J. CAMPBELL
TMCnet Communications and Broadband Columnist
 
In a transaction that closed March 2, Avtex, Inc. has acquired the Cincinnati, OH-based Interactive Solutions International LLC (ISI). The two companies combine call center and IP telephony solutions and will operate as Avtex, Inc. with headquarters in Minneapolis, MN.

 
Robert Denman, Avtex President noted that the combination of the two companies will bring many new resources and solutions to Avtex customers and provide exciting growth opportunities for employees.
 
Rodney Sizemore, President of ISI views the joining of forces with Avtex as a logical evolution for ISI’s business model. The combined companies will be able to reach a much broader market with new products and services. The ISI team looks forward to the greater opportunities and prosperous future that the combined company can provide.

Avtex has been on a mission for expansion as this is the third acquisition in three years. Telestar Communications, Inc. of Appleton, WI was purchased in August of 2005. Avtex also acquired Soltris of Minneapolis, MN in June of 2003.
 
Much of the company’s momentum has been demonstrated as being named the winner of Interactive Intelligence’s coveted “Preferred Partner of the Year” for the fifth consecutive year due to high levels of technical certification, sales and support. According to Interactive Intelligence’s Chairman and CEO, Dr. Don Brown, Avtex is nationally known for its strength in deploying advanced contact center solutions and this recent acquisition adds to the company’s record of service.

Avtex has been providing multimedia contact center solutions since 1971. As an application and systems integration company that designs, deploys and supports contact centers, IP telephony and unified messaging solutions, Avtex has enabled organizations to embrace customers.

Mission critical applications is a priority for Avtex as its staff of software developers, systems engineers, networks engineers, system design consultants, project managers, customer support and field technicians are trained, certified and specialize in these areas. A Microsoft Certified Gold Partner, Avtex is also a Value Added Reseller (VAR) for Avaya and Blue Pumpkin.

ISI was founded in 2000 and is a provider of technology solutions and service for Interactive Intelligence’s Interaction Center Platform, developing applications that leverage the IP telephony expertise of core partners, Interactive Intelligence and Microsoft.

ISI is also an Interactive Intelligence Premier National Integration Partner, a Microsoft-Certified Partner and Microsoft Independent Software Vendor, enabling the organization to provide complete implementation and support services to participating Interactive Intelligence resellers.
 
The combined companies of Avtex and ISI as the new Avtex, Inc. will serve over 650 customers by providing multimedia contact center solutions. Customer will include Wells Fargo, Creative Memories, Time Warner, BNSF, American Family Insurance, University of Michigan, Key Benefits Administration and Western & Southern Life Insurance Company.

Avtex has taken a strategic approach in aligning itself with companies that have not only proven themselves in their respected areas, but are recognized leaders in the industry. By combining the strengths of Avtex and ISI, customers will have a broadened portfolio of services to chose from that will be supported by some of the best in the field. This will be a key selling point for Avtex, beyond its established positioning.
 
To maintain leadership in the contact center solutions arena, a company must be able to demonstrate innovation and constant progression. This is a dynamic market that will continue to see fierce competition as the climate changes almost daily. Avtex is selecting strong partners in order to build its offerings to become the preferred choice. With its demonstrated strategy, don’t be surprised when Avtex succeeds.
 
Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMC and has also written for eastbiz.com. To see more of her articles, please visit Susan J. Campbell’s columnist page.