eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.
Unified communications, managed services, data solutions and visual communications specialist Carousel Industries and communications specialist Level 3 announced they will offer a range of managed services and cloud-based products together.
Carousel will provide IT managed services and capabilities to support Level 3’s portfolio of business solutions ranging from unified communications (UC) and hosted video to cloud and data services for its enterprise customers.
“This partnership combines the strengths of Level 3’s networking with the strengths of Carousel’s managed services and nationwide on-site support capabilities,” John Adams, strategic account director for Carousel Industries, told eWeek. “The partnership has significant value for both companies since each adds an extremely valuable component that is needed to deliver and support this increasingly convergent technology. Both companies provide a highly complementary capability that meets an increasing customer need.”
Adams explained members of the Carousel leadership and Level 3 alliance program met at an industry user group and started a conversation to see how the two companies could work together.
Carousel will also deliver Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) to customers and connect them directly to Level 3’s network and range of managed services through its SmartPoint program.
Its managed services extend from cloud-based offerings around Microsoft Lync to other UC offerings including voice, data and video.
“Cloud services and managed services allow companies to focus on their core competencies. Managed services make moving to the cloud an easier transition and more direct service model,” Adams said. “Both cloud and managed services allow companies to move from a capital expenditure to operating expenditure model in a more effective way.”
He explained that the benefits of this migration are many, but ultimately provides greater agility, focus on core business areas and less funds tied up in expensive equipment.
Additionally, through its Network Operations Center (NOC), Carousel is able to offer continuous network monitoring as well as providing a network of manufacturer certified engineers to provide installation and maintenance.
Level 3’s global network provides network capabilities and a portfolio of data, security, video, voice, UC and cloud-based solutions.
Carousel, which has relationships with technology giants such as Microsoft, Avaya, Juniper Networks, Polycom and others, has developed a managed services offering through its SmartPoint program.
The companies would also like to develop a joint cloud video or voice offer, potentially delivering a private cloud or public cloud offer to the market, Adams explained.
Earlier this year, Carousel launched Simplicity Video, a cloud-based video conferencing solution designed for small- to medium-size business (SMB) and enterprise customers.
Simplicity Video was developed in cooperation with Pexip, a specialist in scalable, distributed video software and consists of two separate offerings, Public Video Cloud (PVC) and Managed Private Cloud (MPC).