Gigaset Communications, a Germany-based telephone systems manufacturer, has revealed that it will be premiering new IP telephone systems tailored specifically to meet the needs of SMEs and enterprise organisations in the Middle East region.
The launch of Gigaset’s professional range is expected at the start of Q4 this year. According to the vendor, the plan will also pave way for it to appoint a regional value-add distributor (VAD) that will in turn work closely with value added resellers and system integrators serving the IP telephone, VoIP and unified communications space.
Shahzad Ahmed, CEO, Gigaset Communications MEA and India, said preparations for the launch are on schedule as the company would like to leverage the experience it has gained in the consumer segment with the Gigaset pro line for professional users. “We are delighted that the Middle East has been chosen by headquarters as the next geography in the emerging markets where Gigaset pro line products will be introduced. Currently, these products are only available in Germany, France, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland and the UK. We believe that the launch will give us traction in the much sought after enterprise market and the vast SME sector in the Middle East region,” he said.
Ahmed said the pro line portfolio launch will see the company reach out to channel partners in the region. “Our initial focus will be the GCC region where we are already in discussions with channel partners. Our goal is to have a sole VAD that will take our business to SIs and VARs in the Middle East and North Africa market. We are looking at engaging with partners that will not only sell our solutions but help to develop the brand and market for Gigaset,” he said.
Dr Alexander Blum, board member, Gigaset Communications, added that the professional product line gives Gigaset Communications in the Middle East access to the growing market of corded IP telephone systems for SMEs. “With the pro series, which is based on the popular open standard Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), Gigaset Communications will offer channel partners in the region an extensive solution portfolio for professional users.”
According to Dr Blum, the products will range from telephone solutions for the self-employed and SOHOs space to small firms and companies with workforces of 100 or more employees.
Gigaset Communications is currently represented in the Middle East region through the retail channel that resells the consumer range. The vendor views the impending launch of its professional products in the Middle East as a spring board that will offer the company and channel partners an opportunity to become ‘serious’ challengers in the enterprise market sector.
