Gamma’s Biggest Event Yet: Empowering Partners at Gammaverse 2024
Gamma Communications plc (“Gamma”), a leading provider of technology-based communication services across Europe, recently hosted its largest-ever partner event at the QEII Centre in Westminster, London, welcoming around 450 attendees for a full day of insight, collaboration, and future-driven discussion. Gammaverse 2024, complete with an Experience Zone to engage in meaningful conversations with suppliers and sponsors, was designed to offer invaluable support to channel partners, focusing on how Gamma’s solutions and partnerships can help businesses navigate the fast-evolving digital landscape to best deliver solutions to customers.
John Murphy, Managing Director of Gamma Business, introduced some exciting product announcements, including:
- Webex for Gamma as a new strategic addition to Gamma’s UCaaS portfolio. Webex will become available wholesale through Gamma partners and to enterprise, and public sector customers directly in the coming months.
- Early access for Service Suite for Microsoft Teams which helps partners maximise the value of Microsoft Teams by adding a set of complementary software and hardware around the platform.
- FUSION IoT, Gamma’s cutting-edge technology solution added via the Epsilon acquisition in Germany, will be generally available in Q1 FY2025. The IoT market in the UK is projected to grow by 131%** over the next five years, presenting a huge opportunity for the channel.
Murphy has also highlighted the increased flexibility and choice that Gamma offers through the addition of iPECS Cloud to its UCaaS portfolio, via the acquisition of Pragma, the exclusive distributor of Ericsson-LG’s iPECS Cloud solutions in the UK.
With the continued rise of cyberattacks, Murphy also emphasised the critical role of its cybersecurity solutions through Candio, another recent acquisition. Candio offers a comprehensive and easy-to-deploy set of tools to protect your customers’ data and identify potential threats that could leave them exposed on the dark web.
These robust solutions are a key addition to Gamma’s portfolio, opening new revenue streams in security services.
In a Q&A session, Dr. Charlotte Armitage, a media psychologist, and Gamma’s Andrea Herbert discussed the effects of technology on relationships, with a focus on mental health and communication. Dr. Armitage highlighted concerns about how smart devices, particularly for younger generations, may negatively impact emotional and social development. She pointed out that excessive screen time can delay important developmental milestones like eye contact and emotional recognition.
A standout moment of the day was the panel discussion on UCaaS, moderated by Will Morey and featuring an impressive lineup of speakers: Gareth Bleasdale (Microsoft), DP Venkatesh (Cisco), Ahed Alkhatib (Ericsson-LG), and Rich James (Gamma). This session provided a deep dive into the growing importance of UCaaS solutions, touching on the increasing need for customer choice, scalability, and flexibility in the communications market.
The afternoon sessions saw Rob Kittler from Gamma and Tom Blumson from Lister join forces with Tom Chedham from Candio and Neil McManus of GHM Communications, sharing real-world examples of how partners are diversifying their offerings with Gamma’s extended portfolio. That discussion on how to leverage the industry’s rapid shifts to drive business growth, with a fireside chat featuring Henry Bohannon of BT focusing on the implications of the upcoming digital switchover.
Andrew Belshaw, CEO of Gamma, reaffirmed the company’s focus on supporting its UK channel partners while expanding across Europe. He highlighted Gamma’s regulatory advocacy efforts to represent small businesses and partners in policy discussions. Reflecting on recent acquisitions like Pragma and Coolwave, Belshaw emphasised the importance of delivering new solutions that allow partners to expand into new markets. “Gamma’s strength lies in our partnerships. We’re committed to providing the best tools and support so our partners can grow their businesses and thrive. Together, we are truly good together.”
Colin Lees, Gamma’s Chief Technology Officer, outlined the company’s multi-year investment programme designed to enhance the partner portal and broaden product offerings. This includes several new features set to launch over the next 12 months, such as an advanced fibre comparison tool and the availability of Webex for Gamma. Lees also highlighted Gamma’s innovation hub, GammaLabs, which brings together 500 engineers to drive cutting-edge solutions. Additionally, he emphasised the introduction of single sign-on and API capabilities, which enable partners to seamlessly integrate Gamma’s products, making it easier to deliver services to their customers.
The event concluded with a powerful keynote speech from Jason Fox, ex-Royal Marine Commando and star of Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins. Fox’s true account of a mission, completed during his days of service, told of resilience and leadership under pressure – it was the perfect close to a day filled with inspiration and practical advice for Gamma’s partners.
Gammaverse 2024 was more than just a showcase of products and solutions; it was a reminder of Gamma’s dedication to supporting its partners with tools, support, and technologies to succeed in an ever-changing market. With the event’s key message of collaboration and growth, Gamma once again demonstrated why it remains a trusted partner in the business communications space.
For those who missed it, the event’s highlights, including keynote speeches and panel discussions, will be available online for partners. Stay tuned for more information on future Gamma events and how we continue to work together to transform business communications.
Key Takeaways:
- Webex, now part of Gamma’s UCaaS portfolio, is offering huge opportunities for partners.
- The UCaaS panel with Microsoft, Cisco, Ericsson-LG, and Gamma provided deep industry insights in the world of UCaaS.
- Gamma’s acquisitions, Pragma and Candio, are driving new opportunities for partners, particularly in the UCaaS space with iPECS Cloud and in cybersecurity, respectively.
- IoT: Gamma introduced FUSION IoT, a platform from its German acquisition, offering channel partners access to one of the fastest-growing tech markets as IoT adoption rises rapidly in the UK.
- Managed Services & Cloud Transformation: Gamma reiterated its commitment to supporting channel partners in accelerating their customers’ cloud transformation journeys, with a focus on capturing the forecasted 6 million new UCaaS seats* in the UK market over the next 5 years.
If you missed the event, you’re in luck. The sessions will be available On Demand, just get in touch with the Gamma team who can supply the link to the sessions. Gammaverse 2025 will be even bigger and better so be sure to look out for the announcement and get it into your 2025 calendar soon.
*Cavell: Cloud Communications Market Report UK Q4 2023. **Analysys Mason.
About Gamma
If you missed the event, you’re in luck. The sessions are available On Demand, just get in touch with the Gamma team who can supply the link to the sessions. Gammaverse 2025 will be even bigger and better so be sure to look out for the announcement and get it into your 2025 calendar soon.
Gamma Communications plc is a leading provider of technology-based communication services across Europe. Gamma is admitted to trading on AIM and employs approximately 1,800 people. Offering a range of Unified Communications, mobile, security and connectivity services, Gamma provides robust and secure end-to-end business communication solutions, enabling organisations to communicate, collaborate and offer a better customer experience.
Gamma’s vision is for a better-connected world in which it can work smarter for the benefit of business, people, and the planet. Its primary market is the UK, where it delivers network-based services to SME, Public Sector, and Enterprise markets through its extensive network of trusted channel partners and direct sales and support capabilities. Expanding its presence in Europe, Gamma is continuing to grow its group of businesses focused on digital transformation by delivering services to customers via a network of channel partners in Germany, Spain, and the Benelux region.
For more information about Gamma and its comprehensive range of products and services, please visit www.gammagroup.co.
