Polycom axes Zycko in VoIP reshuffle

Vendor makes changes to distribution line-up

Voice and video vendor Polycom has rejigged its UK distribution line-up after parting company with Zycko and handing Vcomm sole access to its voice over IP (VoIP) products, CRN has learned.

The vendor has tweaked its distribution model several times during the past year. Vcomm was initially appointed to sell alongside Zycko in September and managing director Scott Dobson told CRN last year that Zycko was “not going to have things its own way anymore”.

Vcomm’s deal with Polycom was extended in February to allow the distributor to sell Polycom’s Microsoft Office communication server-compatible CX range of handsets.

In February, Polycom also appointed Westcon to distribute its collaboration and videoconferencing products in the UK. Zycko was then served notice by Polycom and the relationship between the two companies ceased on 9 May. Zycko declined to comment.

Responding to mounting speculation that it was set to revamp its VoIP distribution channel, Polycom issued CRN with this statement: “Polycom is completely committed to a channel partner business model. We continually work with our partners to develop and deliver this experience.”

After being acquired by VoIP services company Coms plc last year, Vcomm indicated it hoped the deal would give it access to larger contracts and since then it has been signed on by vendors Voipex, Polycom and Ruckus.
“We are very focused on the VoIP business that we are doing with Polycom,” said Dobson.