From the CEO’s Desk
Not All Partnerships Are Created Equal
As we head into the New Year, I wanted to say thank you for your friendship and your business. It’s been a wildly successful year, and that has everything to do with our partners and providers willingness to team with PlanetOne.
You heard me say it at our end of year PlanetOne Tech Tour, and I’ll reiterate the message here:
Our entire team is all in on your success, and operates under a professional obligation to do what we do for you better than anyone else. And that includes making certain the contracts we sign, the deals we close and the commissions you earn are among the best in the industry.
Not all partnerships are created equal. There’s a distinct difference in doing business with PlanetOne. And that difference is anchored in our mutual success and our commitment to do right by our people, our partners and our providers.
During the event, I overheard our partner Mike Flippo, Principal at CloudWest say it best when he was interviewed on the lawn by our PR team. The question was simple: Why PlanetOne? His answer was everything: “I know PlanetOne has got my back, as well as my business.”
And he’s right. We are more than a master agent. We are your business partner, and we take your success seriously. If there’s anything more we can do to help you and your business thrive now, and in the future, please pick up the phone and let us know.
We’ve got your back, and look forward to a record-breaking 2020.
Cheers to the holiday season!
Ted Schuman, Founder/CEO
PlanetOne
Partner Success Stories: ATC
Company Name: Advanced Technology Consulting
Headquarters: West Chester, OH
Website: 4atc.com
Year Founded: 1999
Focus/Services: ATC is an independent IT consulting firm specializing in voice, networking, cloud and cybersecurity services. ATC has uniquely niched itself as a go-to advisor and solution identifier for complex IT decisions.
Specializations: Voice, Networking, Cloud, Security
ATC: PlanetOne is One of Our Most Valued Partners; Helping Us Navigate Uncharted Waters
ATC was founded in 1999 to provide outsourced telecommunications expertise. As a professional services firm, ATC consults businesses on the deployment of comprehensive networking and IT solutions that drive productivity and profitability.
“Over the past two decades, we have evolved from a broker model to a full-fledged next-gen IT consultancy,” says David Goodwin, Managing Partner, ATC. “Today, we help our clients solve an array of business and technology challenges. Yet, at the end of the day, we only see what we can see, and our success is driven by the relationships we have with other players in the industry. PlanetOne is a great example of this, and we have come to rely on them, as one of our most trusted advisors, to stay ahead of the technology curve.”
Goodwin adds, “As PlanetOne expands its expertise outside of the traditional telecom space, this has benefited our business tremendously. Recently, they added additional resources in mobility and IoT – two areas where we haven’t traditionally played.”
New Business Win Helps ATC Grow its Mobility Business
Earlier this year, ATC was approached by an organization looking to optimize, streamline and reduce the cost of their mobility solutions. The company provides Electronic Clinical Outcome Assessment (eCOA) solutions for the medical field.
“The inquiry requested support for 35,000 mobile devices, located both domestically and internationally,” says Goodwin. “This was an exciting opportunity that we knew could help further entrench us in the mobility space, so we called James Green, PlanetOne’s National Mobility Channel Manager, to get the ball rolling.”
Goodwin adds, “We knew the complexity of the situation called for supplemental resources. James worked with the PlanetOne team to help us assess the client’s current situation and recommend a solution that would best meet their objectives.”
PlanetOne and ATC Help eCOA Provider Streamline Mobility Management; Reduce Costs
Working alongside the PlanetOne team, ATC successfully completed an assessment of the eCOA provider’s current mobility solution and identified opportunities to drive cost savings, improve reporting and analytics, and simplify the management of mobile devices across the company.
“PlanetOne recommended a solution leveraging AT&T Jasper and eSquared Communications, an AT&T Jasper-approved partner,” says Goodwin. “This solution allows us to procure and manage the client’s data lifecycle moving forward, and helps to optimize their spend by alleviating overage costs and providing more data plan options. Further, through PlanetOne we were able to gain access to a team of professionals, well-versed in these solutions, in order to guide our client through the pre-sales, implementation and post-sales process to ensure they received exactly what they needed.”
Goodwin adds, “Our experience with AT&T Jasper and eSquared Communications has been a very positive one. Through the eSquared Communications portal, for example, we were able to provide an apples-to-apples comparison of their current spend, and leverage the business intelligence provided by the portal to analyze how their spend would be impacted moving forward, and uncover additional rate plans to further optimize that spend and reduce costs for the client.
The implementation of AT&T Jasper and eSquared Communications for the eCOA provider was virtually seamless. “From the time the contract was signed, and the management of the mobility and IoT solution transferred from the previous provider to eSquared Communications, it was a matter of days, not weeks,” says Goodwin. “We are especially grateful for the outstanding support we’ve received from eSquared Communications’ Stephanie Hankins, and other people on her team.”
Teaming with PlanetOne Drives Success; Protects Revenue Streams for ATC
The collaboration between ATC and PlanetOne on the mobility deployment for the eCOA provider is just one example of the success the two companies have experienced since teaming together in 2002.
“The voice, connectivity and cloud markets are constantly evolving,” says Goodwin. “Things can get complex pretty fast and it is often hard to keep up with changes as they happen. One of the things we like most about PlanetOne is that they serve as a beacon, helping us navigate previously uncharted waters, as was the case with the eCOA provider.”
Goodwin adds, “We can also rely on PlanetOne to have our best interests at heart. The team works really hard to protect our primary revenue streams, and are quick to escalate any issues that arise, from getting paid on time to quickly resolving technical issues. The bottom line is that they are one of our most valued partners – they are easy to work with and we truly enjoy our relationships with their entire team – from the top down.”
For more information on the PlanetOne Partner Program, visit https://www.planetone.net/partner-program/.
Preferred Provider Spotlight: 8x8
At 8×8, we’re all part of the partner community. Recognized in the channel for best-in-class programs and leadership, we value our partners as trusted advisors and an essential part of the team. An 8-time Leader in the Gartner UCaaS Magic Quadrant and the only UCaaS Leader also in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for CCaaS, our priority is delivering reliability to customers and loyalty to partners.
Elev8, our best-in-class partner program developed for Masters and benefiting Sub-Agents, Resellers and System Integrators, offers flex funds, blitz days and turn key resources to help drive customer and prospect interactions, while a devoted channel sales team is available to help with every sales opportunity. Partner with 8×8 and receive:
- Dedicated partner support and easy deployment. Take advantage of dedicated sales, engineering, deployment and customer support teams.
- Industry-leading sales incentives. Regularly updated sales incentives and uncapped SPIFFs paid on bookings ensure partners are earning the maximum from every opportunity.
- Fast, hassle-free payments. 8×8 prioritizes paying partners as fast as possible; including commissions, marketing funds and sales incentives.
- Tried and tested marketing campaigns. Vertically-focused, ready-to-execute ‘campaigns in a box’ are free of charge.
- Easy-to-use sales tools. TCO calculators provide instant, detailed ROI and cost estimates.
One Platform = Zero Complexity
Designed to help your customers operate at the new speed of business, 8×8 provides one global cloud communications solution for voice, video, chat and contact center. With 8×8 X Series, customers optimize valuable moments of engagement with built-in analytics to experience faster time to resolution, lower costs and an improved customer experience. Deployment is easy, ensuring each user has the exact functionality needed. From simple voice services in a new location to implementation of an omnichannel contact center, X Series allows for quick and intelligent collaboration across any communication channel.
X Series delivers reliability and allows customers to stop paying for, administering and maintaining separate audio and video conferencing applications. Predictable, low fees can slash total cost of ownership (TCO) for customers as can an easy-to-deploy cloud-based solution. Future-proof and built on proprietary technology that’s been internally-developed and is 100% 8×8 owned, our one global cloud communications solution accelerates business for customers and margins for partners.
NEW >> Introducing a Meetings Experience Your Customers Will Love
Recently introduced, 8×8 Video Meetings, an X Series feature and stand alone product, combines effortless interactions with an immersive customer experience. Built for business, it easily integrates with popular calendar, directory and single sign-on systems, allowing users to quickly schedule, start, join and record HD audio and video conferences from anywhere, on any device—all in a single solution.
Become an 8×8 Partner
Experience a new spirit of partnership while offering your customers an award-winning global cloud communications solution. For more information and to become a partner, contact your 8×8 Channel Manager or visit the PlanetOne provider page.
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Employee Spotlight: Shawna Hayes
At PlanetOne, we are grateful for the contributions our employees make to ensure both our success and that of our providers and partners.
In our newsletter each quarter, we shine a light on one of our amazing employees. This quarter, we are featuring Shawna Hayes, Executive Assistant and Event Coordinator. Shawna has been with PlanetOne for nearly five years, having joined the company in February 2015. She based at PlanetOne’s headquarters in Scottsdale, Ariz.
We recently sat down with Shawna to learn what she likes most about working at here at PlanetOne, and how she spends time away from the office.
Q: What do you like most about your job? Working with PlanetOne?
A: My job is fun! I enjoy meeting new people and working with PlanetOne has given me the opportunity to create amazing friendships not only with my co-workers, but also our partners and providers. I really do look forward to going to work most days!
Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you aren’t working?
A: When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I have a home in Rocky Point, Mexico where I travel to often and last month hosted my son’s wedding there. I also enjoy doing home improvement projects, refinishing furniture, and volunteering at local charities for children and the elderly.
Q: Do you have a ‘bucket list’? What are some of the things you would want to do if time or money were no object?
A: Travel! Currently, Spain is at the top of my bucket list and then maybe a private yacht cruise on the coast of Italy?
Q: Do you have a favorite saying, mantra or quote?
A: “In a world where you can be anything… be kind”
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add that our partners and providers should know about you? A: While I have lived in Scottsdale since the early 80’s I am a hometown gal from Oregon (and a loyal Oregon Duck fan) who loves the sun but also the seasons. I have two grown children, a son in NYC and daughter in Southern California. I am always up for doing something fun, trying a new restaurant, wine tasting, attending concerts, festivals, sporting events, and weekend getaways.
From the Heart: Ironman World Championships
PlanetOne’s High Roller’s Club coincided with the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii this year. As a long-term fan of the race, PlanetOne’s SVP of Marketing, Bern Richardson took advantage of being on the Big Island at the right time and volunteered on the course on race day:
The 41st Ironman Word Championships Race Day started for me at 6:00am as I arrived at my designated volunteer area on the bike course on the Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway outside the gates of the Four Seasons Resort. I was put to work as part of the West Hawaii Boy Scout Troops group who’ve been volunteering at the event under organizer Rodney Vasquez’s leadership, for the past 30 years. We prepped the pallets of beverages, replacing Coca Cola bottle caps with sport tops and processed hundreds of cases of bottled water, creating an intricate system of ice barrels to store the water we’d be handing out.
The first elite athletes started flying down the hill from Kona towards us around 7:45am and those of us on water duty had to sprint to get up to the cyclist’s speed to do an effective hand-off on the approach. This was an exhilarating yet frightening process that continued for the next several hours until we moved the whole operation across the highway and caught the athletes on their way from the turnaround in Hawi back into Kona for the start of the marathon leg.
After 9 hours I was about to call it quits when one more athlete came riding into view. He pulled up and asked if I could help put water in his front hydration system and some ice in the back pockets of his riding jersey. I then noticed he had two artificial legs and one malformed arm (considered a triple amputee). Rajesh Durbal took my breath away as he rode off towards Kona, headed into the marathon. It was a humbling and inspirational moment and one that I’ll never forget. For the opportunity to volunteer and give back to the race community and for being made part of Rodney’s special ohana for the day I’m truly grateful.
For more inspirational stories from the 41st Ironman World Championships:
For more on Rajesh Durbal:
For the 5000+ strong volunteer appreciation highlight reel:
https://twitter.com/IRONMANtri/status/1184907681167007745/video/1
You’ll see me at 2:18 handing off water to one of the athletes!
Upcoming Events:
PlanetOne 2020 Tech Tour:
Join us for these educational and networking events focusing on emerging technologies, industry trends and valuable product information. Our mission is to enable agents with the knowledge and tools to succeed in the ever-changing world of telecom & IT services. Each Tech Tour stop features executive speakers from our 2020 Preferred Providers, creating valuable engagement with some of highest regarded executives in the industry.
Win great prizes and receive gift packages just for attending. There is no cost to attend and meals are complimentary. These events are exclusively for PlanetOne agents, prospective channel partners and our Preferred Providers.
The PlanetOne Tech Tour 2020 schedule includes the following stops:
To register, visit https://www.planetone.net/2020-tech-tour/. For photos from our previous Tech Tour events, check out our photo album on Facebook.
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