Epygi (News - Alert) Technologies, a U.S.-based designer and manufacturer of IP systems, educates resellers and potential end-users using a newly formatted Web site with separate, targeted areas for each type of visitor. Following interviews with distributors, Value Added Resellers (VARs) and other industry “insiders,” Epygi discovered three areas of interest: (1) VoIP is a vague and challenging concept for all, (2) resellers must understand SMB needs and buying habits and (3) end-users should understand that the business benefits of VoIP go beyond cost savings; VoIP applications can change the way they do business.  

 

Based on this research, Epygi’s new Web site has a “two-pronged” approach that addresses the challenges of both selling and purchasing a VoIP solution, inviting visitors to choose a clearly-labeled path for “Tech Vendors” (resellers) or “Business Owners” (customers or end-users).

 

Resellers will find out how to become an Epygi partner and can review strategies on selling and deploying Epygi systems, while end-users can peruse a business case on consolidating voice and data (convergence) and learn how IP technology can improve their business. Also, the end-user segment of the Web site can be used as a sales tool by resellers as they provide information to their clients. All will find plenty of information on the Epygi Quadro range of “all-in-one” IP PBXs and peripherals designed for small and medium-sized organizations.

 

In addition to serving its channel and potential end-users through this new, educational Web site, Epygi is also planning the release of two additional Quadro phone systems later this year. The Quadro “6L,” now in beta testing in Australia and scheduled for general availability in November or December 2007, will function more like a traditional Key System and target small businesses that want to use IP telephones, but not IP trunking.

 

The Quadro 6L (pictured) will support six FXO line (trunk) ports and 8-10 IP phones. A second new offering, the QuadroM “32x,” now in alpha trial and also available later this year, will represent the largest Epygi platform to date, supporting 192 IP telephones (the current Quadro line supports from 18 to 66 extensions per site). 

 

Notable functionality includes two built-in LAN ports, an integrated 24-port conference bridge, a hot desk feature, a compact flash port for additional memory and a call center capability to assist customers in implementing IP technology within their business. New partner Packet Island (News - Alert) will provide network assessment and monitoring for environments with more than 30 networked extensions. Epygi resellers worldwide will offer the PacketSmart VoIP Pro Service to VoIP service providers and VARs to pre-assess the network for VoIP readiness and to monitor service levels once VoIP has been deployed.

 

TelecomTactics Takeaway: Epygi Technologies has found a new way to reach resellers and potential customers, recently launching a Web site with targeted areas that make it easier for resellers to sell Epygi technology, while convincing end users to look more closely at VoIP solutions like the Epygi Quadro. Epygi cites the large number of IP telephones supported and variety of Internet Telephony (News - Alert) Service Providers in over 45 countries as significant benefits of its Quadro IP PBX.  Epygi Quadro systems are compatible with IP telephones from Aastra, snom and Grandstream Networks (News - Alert) (see related stories), as well as some support for Cisco and Polycom IP telephones.

 

In addition to the new Web site approach, Epygi is moving forward on several fronts, expanding its portfolio (two new phone systems are due out this year), forming new partnerships and reaching into international markets. Recently, the Quadro IP PBX (News - Alert) became available in South Africa and Germany. Epygi currently operates in more than 45 countries on six continents.