Sutus raises cash, debt, hires new CEO

Doug Mohney — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:44:10 -0400

Vancouver-based Sutus has secured $2 million in venture funding, plus another $2.5 million in debt financing. It has also added a new CEO.

The $2 million in cash came from BDC Venture Capital, and the $2.5 million in debt financing is being provided by MMV Financial. In addition Sutus is bringing telecommunications veteran Mike Donnell on as CEO; Donnell previously lead New Global Telecom (NGT) as its CEO and has also clocked time as CEO of Zi Corporation and Cellular One.

Founded in 2002, Sutus has over $15.5 million invested into its all-in-one Business Central box targeted at the small office market. The company launched product in late 2007.

Sutus' Business Central was specifically developed for businesses with up to 25 employees and includes a phone system that supports both PSTN and VoIP connections, a file server, email server, router, firewall, wireless access point, VPN remote access server, and automated backups; it can also serve as a gateway for hosted servers and includes extensive remote management and support features for the VAR/resellers that install it. This reporter doesn't know if a kitchen sink option is available.

For more:
- Sutus announces new CEO, funding on MarketWatch. Release.

Microsoft announces VoIP partners for Response Point

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 06:59:57 -0400

Microsoft has announced that Cbeyond and New Global Telecom (NGT) will offer its SIP services for the Microsoft Response Point phone system for small businesses. Microsoft is bragging it has conducted thorough tests of Cbeyond and NGT's service and will take advantage of their channels to provide a complete VoIP solution to small businesses. Support for the two companies will be included in the release of Response Point Service Pack 1 later this year.

Announced in October 2007, the Microsoft Response Point Phone system consists of Microsoft software delivered on hardware from D-Link, Quanta, and Aastra. As many as 50 users can be supported without purchasing additional licenses. Advanced features include configuration wizards, speech recognition functionality, and a customizable automated receptionist. Suggested list price for a base unit, a four port ATA, and four to five phones is around $2,500, with a "typical" complete 20 phone system under $5,500.

CBeyond and NGT were selected as partners because of their nationwide coverage, high quality of voice service, and customer satisfaction. Each service provider will roll out unique partner programs for VARs to boost their ability to reach and service small businesses with Response Point; in addition, both companies will participate in Microsoft's upcoming 12 city road show.

While the initial response to Microsoft's PBX offering has been lackluster, it should be noted that the company tends to plug away at improving its product offerings over time. Adding easily installable SIP trunking can't hurt.

For more:
- Microsoft's Response Point Provider press release
- ZD Net's View of Response Point's latest

Ngt

Sutus raises cash, debt, hires new CEO

Microsoft announces VoIP partners for Response Point