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Zen hosted another truly memorable event at the BT Tower in London on 18th October to provide news and networking to some of Zen’s Partners.
Jamie Mellalieu, Zen Web Solutions Business Development Consultant, officially welcomed everyone to the event and then handed over to David Hatley of BT. David informed Zen’s partners that networking at the Tower is an exclusive event as the tower is no longer open to the general public.
After a quick quiz about the audience’s knowledge of the BT Tower, David then handed over to Richard Tang, Zen’s founder and Managing Director. Richard gave an insightful presentation on Zen’s future and some of the new products Zen is looking to develop.
He also explained how Zen’s mission “to Provide the Best ISP Service in the UK” forms the basis of everything that the company does. This is backed up by the vast array of awards Zen has won including PC Pro’s ‘Best Broadband ISP’ award three years in a row!
Guests including representatives from PC Pro Magazine, ISPA , thinkbroadband.com (formerly known as ADSLguide.org.uk) and Express Newspaper Groups were also given an exclusive insight into Zen Web Hosting and Zen’s Voice services. James Steel (Zen Web Hosting Product Manager) and Adrian Levin (Zen Voice Product Consultant) provided fact filled product show cases to emphasise Zen is much more than just a broadband provider.
After the presentations, everyone headed up to the famous revolving restaurant for a buffet lunch on the 34th floor and to admire the spectacular panoramic views across the city.
Attendees were able to network with their fellow partners and learn more about Zen’s plans for the future in an informal atmosphere. Jamie Mellalieu closed the event by thanking everyone for coming and also announced the winner of the special prize draw. Phil Thornton from Digital Square Ltd, a Bronze ZenPartner, was the proud winner of a bottle of Moet champagne and some Belgian chocolates.
Thank you to everyone who attended and look out for future ZenPartner events on www.zenpartner.com.
For the past few years, as part of their commitment to the Rochdale community, Heywood-based IT company and Gold ZenPartner Flexsys UK Ltd, has sponsored local junior football teams. The latest club to benefit is Whitworth Juniors football club, with the Under 7s now sporting smart new weatherproof rain jackets to match their older team mates.
Whitworth Juniors treasurer, Danny O’Malley, says: “This is a terrific contribution that keeps the youngsters warm, dry and professionally dressed at the same time. We are always trying to come up with new ideas for fund-raising for the club so voluntary sponsorship such as this is wonderful.”
At the other end of the scale, the Football League has just signed an IT support deal with Flexsys, who have been awarded a contract to look after 18 servers and more than 50 PCs across two sites – one in London and at the operations centre in Preston.
Ritchie Slater, IT manager at the Football League, explains the reason behind this decision. “We have a small IT team and have previously worked with a number of different contractors on an ad hoc basis, particularly during peak periods. We took the decision to appoint Flexsys as our IT support partner because they have a real breadth of experience in their team. They are capable of helping us in other areas of our business too – for example, business continuity and new IT developments – it is a real advantage to have multiple skill-sets under one roof. It’s far more cost effective in monetary terms and in my time managing the process. Their location is ideal, being just half an hour away from Preston which is the operations centre and where all the main servers are based. It’s an added bonus that Flexsys are nurturing up and coming local football talent too – perhaps one of their star players will even join a Football League club one day!”
Zen will soon be launching a new range of hosting services in the form of dedicated Linux servers. Based on a highly redundant hosting platform, you will receive the ongoing performance, reliability and security of having your own Linux server.
Ideal for hosting high availability Web sites, databases, applications and e-mail services, you will receive:
- Your very own Dell server
- A choice of Linux distributions
- Firewall security
- Full administration access
- A generous bandwidth allocation
Our dedicated Linux servers will provide a fantastic opportunity for any Zen Partners looking to offer dedicated servers as part of their own product portfolio.
To pre-register your interest and receive more information once available, simply visit
www.zenwebhosting.com.
Fortinet® – the pioneer and leading provider of unified threat management (UTM) solutions – today announced that the fast-growing architect firm MMP Partnership has successfully deployed the recently launched FortiGate™-50B, providing the scalability to meet its evolving IT needs.
The deployment of the integrated security platform further demonstrates Fortinet’s expert capability to provide comprehensive security across the full spectrum of business requirements, from chassis-based carrier solutions right through to the remote/branch offices and SMBs.
A leading group of UK architects, and the impetus behind notable builds such as the Milton Keynes Snow Dome, MMP turned to its trusted IT partner and ZenPartner - Allware Systems Limited - to provide a secure network infrastructure. Allware deployed Fortinet’s FortiGate-50B platform as a future-proof security solution to cover all of MMP’s protection requirements throughout its continued growth.
Allware modernised the entire network infrastructure at MMP’s headquarters in Surrey, centralising its systems to a new server and making redundancy and availability of information a priority. Offering complete network protection for all of MMP’s corporate functions, the FortiGate-50B is providing anti-virus, anti-spam and web filtering functionality, deployed inline as a gateway onto MMP’s Internet connection.
“Previously, each individual machine had its own AV license; each expiring at different times and with varying levels of protection, this was both costly and time-consuming. We had no consistent way of managing or monitoring these threats, so it was a shock to find a number of Trojans and other adware sitting on our PCs, which were slowing down the whole network. The new solution provides us with the security we need now, and into the future, whilst also enabling us to maintain the high-performance network we demand.” explains Martin Brazier, technical director at MMP.
The UTM approach is providing MMP with a scalable security solution, without impeding on network performance or introducing the escalating costs often associated with securing an IT infrastructure.
Computime I.T. Solutions have supplied integrated office systems since 1985, and over the past five years have specialised in Integration into the Internet, Telephony, and CRM.
The company was founded by John Dixon to supply computer systems and provide a "caring" support to its customers. Computime has seen such continued growth that it found it necessary to move three times prior to reaching its 3000 Square foot premises in Coventry.
To further endorse their commitment to the principle of "caring", they were successful in achieving ISO 9002 recognition and two years later achieving the 'Investors In People' award for development of their staff.
Since joining the ZenPartner Programme in 2005, Computime has shared the same passions as Zen to provide quality products and services. Currently at Gold status, Computime are well on their way to reach Platinum level in the near future with continued provisions and a host of new orders.
Keith Sinclair, Technical Director commented: “Computime chose Zen to be our Internet partner based on quality of service, reliability and it's proven track record for customer support. Our business customers need reliable Internet connectivity, hosting and email along side quick responses to any queries, that's what Zen have delivered”
Zen Internet changes the name of its ZenDirect Private WAN product to ZenDirect Private Line.
Following the launch of the new IP VPN service from Zen, the ZenDirect product re-positions to offer connectivity between two sites only. This change is to allow for more focus on customers with this specific requirement and to provide an alternative for limited budgets without the sophistication of an IP VPN solution.
The change also means that Zen Internet now offer a full range of business connectivity solutions. These range from ADSL and synchronous (same speed both ways) broadband lines, through to traditional Leased Lines, Ethernet, and Private Line site to site connectivity.
Zen Internet is now better placed than ever to provide all your Internet services from under one roof.
What is ZenDirect?
ZenDirect is dedicated 1:1 Business class connectivity at its best, with a comprehensive product range to suit all accessibility requirements. This is enhanced by Zen’s own robust, resilient network infrastructure, providing solutions at speeds of 64Kbps up to a very powerful 1Gbps across the UK. There is also a range of options for security, resilience, failover, and support.
- ZenDirect Access is based on traditional Leased Lines, providing fixed lower
bandwidth Internet connectivity from 64Kpbs through to 2Mbps.
- ZenDirect Ethernet is the premium choice for provides flexible Internet connectivity
from 2Mbps up to a staggering 1Gbps.
- ZenDirect Private Line offers site to site connectivity for two sites at speeds of
2Mbps up to 1Gbps using Ethernet and MPLS technologies.
Zen has always kept a focus on the latest technologies, and is constantly investing in product development whilst maintaining excellent customer service levels. That is why you will still find features such as a 100% Service Level Agreement, 24x7x365 monitoring and support, dedicated personal account management, superb customer service and technical support.
Why not complement your ZenDirect Leased Line with a managed security solution?
For a free quotation and to discuss your requirements in more detail, please call the sales team on 0845 058 9000 or contact your account manager.
For more information, visit www.zen.co.uk/zendirect.
Adventi Group, one of Scotland’s largest technology solutions and services providers, has acquired Glasgow and Luton-based ZenPartner Integral Arm, in a strategic move that sees the group strengthening its position in the small and medium-sized business (SMB) sector and extending its geographical reach.
Integral Arm has developed a reputation as a highly innovative provider of support and consulting services to SMBs and has been recognised by global technology companies as a leader in its field. Industry giants Microsoft and Cisco Systems, in addition to mobile network solutions provider O2, have partnered with Integral Arm to develop cutting-edge solutions addressing the specific business challenges facing individual customers.
Peter Shakeshaft, chairman of Adventi Group, said: “The acquisition of Integral Arm signals the group’s clear commitment to growing its UK-wide coverage and it significantly boosts our capability in delivering major projects across public and private sectors.”
The acquisition follows that of Scotsys, the Apple solutions provider and services supplier, in June 2005, which was aided by a significant investment by Archangel Informal Investment, in conjunction with the Scottish Co-Investment Fund. Scotsys is the only company in the UK to be both a Microsoft Gold Partner and an Apple Premium Reseller.
Recognising the strengths of the existing brand, Integral Arm will continue to trade under its existing name, alongside Adventi Group sister company, Scotsys. The Adventi Group staff, currently numbering 75, will be increased by 12, with the new colleagues from Integral Arm.
Jim Armstrong, founder and managing director of Integral Arm, who will be joining the Adventi Group board as Director of Technology, added: “This is excellent news for clients and staff, who will benefit significantly from the combined expertise of Scotsys and Integral Arm, as well as the personal development opportunities available as being part of a larger team. Our success in supporting SMBs, in particular, will create specific opportunities for the enlarged group to secure a bigger slice of this particular market.”
We constantly receive positive feedback for the ZenPartner training sessions we run, whether it be for an induction course, the DSL Diagnostics events, or indeed the one-off product launch events, from partners wishing to find out more about a certain area of the company, specific product areas or an overview of what is available.
“Thanks Gill, and thanks again for providing the event. Me and Dominick came away very impressed and will be definitely working the products into our solutions. Good bit of tucka as well!” Paul Jones, Director/technical consultant, Digital solutions Manchester LTD.
“Many thanks Gill. It was a very enjoyable and informative training session yesterday”. Ciaran Kenny Lynx Computing Ltd
“The session was very informative and served to clarify the differences between the packages, Home vs Office etc as well as outlining the use of the customer portal and service status updates.” Peter Hudson, Belmonte IT
So if you also wish to benefit from the ZenPartner training session, please have a look at what is available in your area on the website in the training calendar (you will need to be logged in).
This last quarter has been a busy one in the ZenPartner training department with training sessions being run on Induction, Managed Security and DSL Initial Diagnostics, both at our headquarters building in Rochdale aswell as various locations around the UK.
26th July, Arora Hotel, Manchester
On 26th July we held a double session event at the Arora Hotel in Manchester. We held a Managed Security event in the morning, for partners interested in exploring our managed UTM Firewall product options to add to their product portfolio, in addition to broadband. Then in the afternoon we ran a DSL Initial Diagnostics session, covering off fault identification and diagnostics.
Arora Managed Security Attendees:
Paul Jones - Digital Solutions Manchester Ltd
Dominik Kilduff - Digital Solutions Manchester Ltd
Raymond Burke - Digital Square Ltd
Phil Thornton - Digital Square Ltd
Mark Needham - Glenfield Software
Matt Baker - Peoplistix
Andrew Wood - CCT Infotech
Arora DSL Initial Diagnostics Attendees:
Adrian B White - IBCOS Computers Ltd
Raymond Burke - Digital Square Ltd
Phil Thornton - Digital Square Ltd
Kevin Hammond - MySon Consulting
David Bennett - MySon Consulting
Ian King - The PC Doctor.co.uk Limited
Stuart Burton - The PC Doctor.co.uk Limited
Nick Williams - The PC Doctor.co.uk Limited
Matt Baker - Peoplistix
2nd August, Regus Richmond
Due to the success of the double event at the Arora Hotel, we decided to replicate the session down in Richmond, London. We again ran both the Managed Security and DSL Initial Diagnostics session in one day. In addition we also ran an induction session at our Headquarters building in Rochdale on the 10th August.
Regus Managed Security attendees:
Richard Smith - Tegen
Wojciech Popiel - Purple Lattice
Daniel Dzikowski - Purple Lattice
Regus DSL Initial Diagnostics attendees:
Daniel Bangs - Doctor Logic Ltd
Paul Wheeler - Positive Computing
Peter Miller - iTech Solutions Ltd
Steven Taylor - Kevin James Ltd
Jayesh Jani - Backup! Computer Solutions
Keith Mercer - X.COMMunications
Graham Hall - PURE Technology
Simon Metcalfe - SCIP
Ciaran Kenny - Lynx Computing
Alan Richards - Lynx Computing
Daniel Dzikowski - Purple Lattice
HQ Induction:
Dominic Hipkin - Osys Technology Ltd
Simon Beesley - PSIFX Networks
Mark Poar - PSIFX Networks
Mick Livesey - Taskala
Adele Grimmer - Taskala
In September we ran two sessions at our HQ building in Rochdale.
5th September, HQ Induction
Steve Morton - Principal Image Ltd
John Cooper - Principal Image Ltd
Adrian Taylor -Delta Comtech Ltd
Stephen Lloyd Davies - UK Digital Networks
Lee Ward - UK Digital Networks
Alan Allsop - UK Digital Networks
Shirley Wilder - Cheshire Telecom Ltd
Richard Skirrow - Anchor IT
15th September, DSL Initial Diagnostics
Steve Morton - Principal Image Ltd
John Cooper - Principal Image Ltd
Adrian Taylor - Delta Comtech Ltd
Stephen Lloyd Davies - UK Digital Networks
Lee Ward - UK Digital Networks
Alan Allsop - UK Digital Networks
Shirley Wilder - Cheshire Telecom Ltd
Richard Skirrow - Anchor IT
All training sessions within the ZenPartner Training Programme are free of charge and are designed by our in-house trainer, utilising the skills within the various divisions of Zen to ensure that you, as a partner, get the most benefit possible from the partnership.
For any training suggestions, ideas or comments please email: training@zenpartner.com or gill.cummings@zeninternet.co.uk.
Ruth and Lucy Walczak are twins from Rochdale, hoping to make the Olympic Rowing Team for 2012. They already have a variety of gold medals behind them from a number of competitions, and as they needed support to buy a new double scull racing boat, Zen decided to sponsor them.
The boat, which will help the girls towards their Olympic bid as they are both now part of the under 23 Great Britain squad will be named Zen. With the girls' renowned skill, the boat looks set to have a reputation for speed, reliability and winning awards, just like its namesake!
Rowing Rewards
The Olympic dream is becoming closer to reality with each success the girls have at both national and international events. Highlights of their career have included the World Junior Championship 2006 for Lucy and the European Championship for Ruth that same year.
Recently Ruth went to the World Under 23 Championships held in Strathclyde, and Lucy competed at the National Championships in Nottingham. Ruth was chosen as the single scull at her event, a great achievement as she is in her first year as a member of the GB squad and is one of the youngest at 19. Lucy was teamed up with another rower at her competition after missing out on selection for the World Championships due to a virus, and won the final at her event comfortably. The girls are based at Hollingworth Lake Rowing Club in Littleborough, Lancashire and have been rowing there since they were children.
We are pleased to have this opportunity to help two local girls with a talent that could take them to Olympic level. It is an excellent boost for the local community and Zen will offer assistance wherever possible in activities like this. We are currently supporting a cycling world tour for Springhill Hospice, and it is good to be involved in another sporting event. Ruth and Lucy are now off to University, where they will remain training for the next competitive season and studying for their degrees.
You all speak with them, whether it’s daily or only now and again. But who are these wonderful people really? Once again, ZenPartner News steals a few minutes with a member of the ZenPartner team...
Full name: Deborah Wrigley.
Age: 36
Postion(s): Channel sales Manager.
Length of time with company: Since October 1st - my 4th week (but not counting!!!)
THE QUESTIONS
Where are you from originally?
Bury, Lancashire, but work has taken me all over the UK.
What were you doing before you joined Zen?
I had an 18 month long holiday – much deserved after over 12 years at BT! I had a few holidays and started renovating my 150 year old cottage – which I wished I hadn’t started now……AT BT I ran the Northern Sales team in the Corporate Mid Market Sector.
What are your 3 favourite Web sites (clean please)?
- Sainsbury’s online shopping so I never have to visit the supermarket
(best thing ever invented).
- All clothes shopping sites!
- Google – to find the things I don’t know.
Which album /single do you have in your stereo?
The Hoosiers.
Which football team do you support?
Being a good northern girl it’s got to be Man U – but I’m also told by my other half that I am an honorary Villa supporter.
What is your favourite childhood TV programme, and why?
The Flumps…like the theme tune.
If you could be any one else for a day who would it be and why?
Anyone omnipotent – I’d love to be able to do whatever I wanted.
What was your best Christmas present?
The full size Sindy doll house when I was little – the house was taller than me so I struggled to play with the swimming pool on the roof though! Come to think of it, the house is probably still taller than I am now!
Do you have any bad habits?
Of course not!
What was your first computer?
ZX Spectrum.
Thanks Deborah and that concludes another inspirational interview with a ZenPartner team member.
The ZenPartner team would like to say congratulations to those partners who have moved up levels in the programme this quarter meaning an increase in the resources available to them and a move towards a more strategic commitment.
These were:
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Craig Stowell of Zen presents Pete Goosman of Rio Systems Ltd with their Gold status plaque |
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Gold to Platinum:
Manchester IT
SBS Networks
3AIT Ltd
Control Key
Astro Communications Ltd
Iqual Ltd
Silver to Gold:
APR Network Services Ltd
Lister Communications Ltd
Macfaction
Siptel ECS Ltd
View 2 IT
Swift Digital Solutions Ltd
Vector System UK Ltd
Mac Systems
IT Solutions
Siptel ECS Ltd
Telessential Ltd
Keswick Computer Services
NRG Telecom Ltd
101 IT Ltd
CarltonJohn Ltd
Casscom Limited
Cheshire Telecom Ltd
Gregory Micallef Associates Ltd
Key Computer Applications Ltd
Bronze to Silver:
DSYS Plus Ltd
Spirit IT Consulting Ltd
Netknow Ltd
PerfectBAR Ltd
Zarcus Ltd
Synapse UK Ltd
Aberdeen Business Computing Ltd
NextGen Technical Services Ltd
Prosyn Ltd
Wintech UK Ltd
Charlton Networks
Antar Information Technology Ltd
Moffat Communications Ltd
Corporate Information & Communication
Technology Ltd (Corporate ICT)
Infinity Business Solutions Ltd
Ing IT Services Ltd
Ingenium Ltd
Virtual Online Services
IT Energy Systems & Consulting Ltd
Keep up the Good work!
The ZenPartner Programme provides a full, detailed welcome pack as a reference point for all partner information, which is available on CD.
The pack contains up-to-date information on key topics such as ordering online, faults/support processes, payment and billing, and commission structures with an additional section on resources such as a full training programme. The pack also features the latest price lists for all products and services from Zen available to partners through the ZenPartner Programme and a complete list of contacts.
The pack is updated regularly and there have been lots of updates since last month. For all the latest information please visit the member’s area on the ZenPartner Web site under Marketing and download the latest version of the pack.
If you would like a copy of the ZenPartner Welcome Pack, please contact the Partner Team with your company’s details at info@zenpartner.com or alternatively contact your Account Manager.
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