Solar Communications becomes first Shoretel Platinum Partner

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published 1 August 2016

Solar Communications has become ShoreTel's first ever Platinum Partner outside the USA, after it acquired Response Data Communications (RDC) for an undisclosed sum, taking on the company's expertise in solutions and services.

As RDC was a ShoreTel Circle of Excellence Gold Partner and received special recognition for cloud business excellence in 2016, Solar was able to take these awards and add it to its own position as a ShoreTel's largest partner outside of North America.

“This acquisition brings together the power of two strong UK partners: Response Data Communications, a ShoreTel Circle of Excellence Gold Partner, and Solar Communications, already our largest partner outside of North America," said Adrian Hipkiss, vice president and managing director of EMEA at ShoreTel.

"This new combined entity reinforces Solar Communications’ position as an established, valued ShoreTel partner that is well-equipped to address a diverse range of customer needs in the UK leveraging our flagship Connect service which can be deployed as a cloud service, on-premise or as a hybrid solution.”

Solar Communications said its status as Platinum Partner will enable it to deliver additional technical and commercial expertise to customers, while also scaling its offering.

“Solar Communications are delighted to be awarded Platinum Partner Status by ShoreTel, currently the only such Partner outside North America," added John Whitty, CEO of Solar Communications.

He said the honour is a great reflection of Solar's investments in customer service, engineering skill and integration techniques into its customers' existing infrastructure.

"ShoreTel is an extremely reliable, flexible and scalable platform that allows us to deliver innovative and cost-effective unified communications solutions either via the cloud, on premises or in a hybrid configuration," he added. "We will continue to work with ShoreTel to extend our reach and aim to be the premier ShoreTel partner in EMEA for many years to come.”

As a result of Solar's acquisition of RDC, the company's staff will be integrated into Solar Communications, helping to grow its portfolio and further cement its relationship with other partners.

Clare is the founder of Blue Cactus Digital, a digital marketing company that helps ethical and sustainability-focused businesses grow their customer base.

Prior to becoming a marketer, Clare was a journalist, working at a range of mobile device-focused outlets including Know Your Mobile before moving into freelance life.

As a freelance writer, she drew on her expertise in mobility to write features and guides for ITPro, as well as regularly writing news stories on a wide range of topics.