Melbourne, 16 September 2024 – Access4 has announced the acquisition of Channel UC, a move that brings together two Australian industry innovators with complementary strengths. The union creates a comprehensive product portfolio that addresses the evolving needs of modern businesses.
Access4 will leverage Channel UC’s expertise in omnichannel contact centre solutions, AI product development, professional services, and proprietary Session Border Control as a Service (SBCaaS) to round out Access4’s existing portfolio of unified communications, analytics, messaging, and security products.
The combined entity is well placed to deliver enhanced value to partners and customers through Access4’s leading platform, SASBOSS®. The acquisition now grows the combined transacting reseller base to over 600 partners and over 300,000 services on the platform.
A Unified Vision and Strategy
The acquisition also brings the 22-strong global Channel UC team into the Access4 team, ensuring a seamless transition and continuity of service for all staff and partners.
Channel UC Managing Director, Brad Milne, and Director, Matt Milne, will become new members of the Access4 senior leadership team. Both will play pivotal roles in shaping the strategy of the business and deepening relationships with partners and vendors while driving the shared vision of both organisations.
Brad Milne and Matt Milne bring with them a wealth of industry knowledge and a track record of proven results. Their addition bolsters Access4’s vision of expanding into the European market in the near term, further strengthening the company’s ability to execute on its profitable growth.
Strengthened Product and Service Offerings
This acquisition is a key milestone in Access4’s mission to deliver industry-leading unified communications solutions. Channel UC’s expertise will add significant value to Access4’s product portfolio, specifically in the areas of:
Omnichannel Contact Centre Solutions
Enhanced multi-channel communication capabilities to meet the diverse needs of modern businesses, complimenting the existing contact centre solutions Access4 launched earlier this year.
AI Integration
Vendor-agnostic, advanced AI tools optimise both partner and customer interactions and streamline operations in existing and new communication platforms.
Professional Services
Expanded service offerings to support partners in deploying and optimising products, especially for complex contact centre solutions.
Session Border Control as a Service (SBCaaS)
Virtualised, self-managed SBCs which allow Access4 partners to connect third-party UC or CX solutions anywhere in the world.
These enhancements align with Access4’s commitment to providing comprehensive, future-proof solutions that empower its partners to excel in the competitive landscape.
A Better Together Story
‘For both Channel UC and Access4 partners, this acquisition represents a ‘better together’ story,’ said Tim Jackson, CEO and Managing Director at Access4. ‘By combining our strengths, we are positioned to deliver greater innovation, expanded support, and enhanced business opportunities.
‘With an innovation-first approach, the combined teams plan to fast-track integration of Channel UC solutions into SASBOSS® and provide a scalable and automated approach to communication in different regions.’
Partner Benefits
Improved Product Offerings and Automation
Access to a broader and more robust product portfolio that addresses a wider range of business needs, with greater opportunity to scale through SASBOSS®.
Consolidated Support Resources
Enhanced support capabilities, including:
- Soon-to-be-released follow-the-sun capabilities
- Smooth operations and faster issue resolution
- Additional marketing resources and sales enablement
- Events and thought leadership.
Seamless Business Continuity
Access4 has made a commitment to ensuring limited disruption during the transition. Channel UC partners will have access to a flexible transition program allowing them to migrate to the new environment over an extended period, based on their demand for the broader product portfolio.
Looking Forward
‘The acquisition marks a new era in cloud communications,’ said Brad Milne. ‘As we integrate our operations, our priority remains focused on supporting our partners and delivering exceptional value.
‘Following months of behind-the-scenes preparation, we are excited to offer our partner network access to both organisations’ combined strengths. Together, we’ll deliver innovative solutions that empower meaningful partnerships, solve problems for customers, and drive the digital future.’
This latest acquisition by Access4 follows the company’s acquisition of Perth-based Novum Networks in December 2022, which resulted in the consolidation of Novum’s network and platform into Access4’s environment.
Sydney-headquartered Channel UC was previously a stand-alone division of Mia Distribution and was launched as a separate, independent business when Mia was acquired by Bluechip Infotech in 2022.
