Datapoint takes next steps in services strategy
Systems integrator Datapoint has unveiled plans to grow its services business and focus on enterprise customers.
The company has recruited 19 new staff since January this year, and plans to recruit at least 20 more over the next four months in order to refresh its skills base to reflect the new strategy.
In September 2009, Datapoint appointed Jim Kent, the former chief executive of Vistorm and vice-president, Services for HP (HPQ) in the UK and Ireland as CEO. He has since attracted new vendors such as telepresence specialist Polycom, and strengthened its core relationships with Avaya (for which it is a platinum partner) and Genesys.
Datapoint’s professional and managed services business now accounts for about 40 percent of the group’s total revenues. Says Kent: “2009 was a challenging year for the industry. It was a case of changing a wheel on the car as it was in motion as we had to run the company in tough conditions while overhauling our strategy.”
He continues: “But we came out of the year stronger for it and are poised for growth in all our geographies. We have new hires, new skills and new partner relationships. Expect to see some exciting new solutions and services from us as the year unfolds.”
New talent
The bulk of the 40 new hires are in professional services and managed services, split evenly between the UK and Europe. The balance is in sales and pre-sales. Continuing the shift to services, ex- Avaya man John Fenech, has been appointed to lead the Unified Communication Practice for UK and Ireland.
In July, Meurig Jones joined as chief operating officer. Meurig has responsibility for Datapoint’s new ‘go-to-market’ strategy. In addition, he is responsible for the day-to-day operations of UK and Ireland, overseeing the development and management of Managed Services, Professional Services, Technology and Sales.
In January, Paul Brewer joined from BT as director of technology solutions. Paul is tasked with driving relationships between vendor partners and Datapoint as well as executing the company’s ‘industry solutions’ strategy from a vendor and campaign perspective.
Business practices
The company is now reorganised around five go-to-market business practices: Customer Interaction Management; Unified Communication (which includes IP Telephony); Voice Self-Service; Workforce Optimisation; Compliance.
