Avanade Selects Nectar to Deliver a Comprehensive, Global Microsoft Skype for Business UC Solution

FARMINGDALE, NY--(Marketwired - Mar 1, 2016) - Nectar Services Corp., a leader in the development and deployment of advanced network monitoring, management and diagnostics software for the Unified Communications (UC) industry, announced today it has entered into a five year agreement to partner with Avanade to make Nectar's Unified Communications Management Platform (UCMP) an integral part of Avanade's Unified Communications' Skype for Business offering to its global clients. Avanade leads in providing innovative digital services, business solutions and design-led experiences for its clients, delivered through the power of people and the Microsoft ecosystem. By integrating Nectar's UCMP into its Avanade Management Platform (AMP), the company will be able to provide enhanced visibility for cloud, hybrid and on-premises UC Skype for Business managed services. Avanade will also offer Nectar's UCMP as a value-added service to their UC consulting service.

"The Nectar Unified Communications Management Platform complements Avanade's Unified Communications service management and delivery portfolio by providing deep visibility into our client's Skype for Business UC network environment and enables us to offer our clients a robust and reliable UC experience," said Rich Stern, corporate vice president at Avanade. "By teaming with Nectar, Avanade now offers clients one of the most in-depth, unified communications solutions in the market."

Avanade, an 11-time winner of the Microsoft Alliance Partner of the Year award, has taken a leading role in providing Skype for Business planning, implementation and management for enterprises' UC networks. Avanade can now offer its enterprise clients a highly differentiated UC solution which provides the following benefits:

• Increased business agility with less risk
• Insight into voice service quality, resulting in improved voice services
• Enables clients to confidently utilize UC to collaborate in new and innovative ways while minimizing disruptions
• Improved end user adoption and satisfaction

"Of all the proactive network management and monitoring solutions available, Frost & Sullivan identifies Nectar's proprietary Skype for Business/Lync as the industry's most comprehensive UC management and monitoring solution," said Olga Yashkova, Program Manager-Communications Test & Measurement Practice, Measurement & Instrumentation, Frost & Sullivan.

Nectar was the first UC monitoring and diagnostics solution selected as a depth partner under the Microsoft SDN API program; it is a Microsoft Gold Partner and is Microsoft Skype for Business certified. Nectar was also selected by Microsoft as one of only three Microsoft IT Pro Tools Partners for its Skype for Business program. Nectar provides predictable and actionable analysis which users can utilize to manage, monitor and proactively troubleshoot in "real-time" for improved visibility and service delivery across integrated voice, video and collaboration sessions.

"We are extremely proud to be partnering with Avanade as they continue to drive growth and adoption of Skype for Business," said Tom Tuttle, vice president of Nectar's global Microsoft practice. He added that, "Nectar has the ability to provide Avanade the necessary breadth, depth and comprehensive view into their clients' Skype for Business deployments, globally, helping to ensure the most efficient UC environment. The integration of Nectar's UCMP into Avanade's Management Platform further reduces the complexity in managing an enterprise's UC deployment, delivering the highest quality of service to the end user."

"The deep relationships both organizations have with Microsoft make this a natural alliance," commented Nectar CEO, David Giangano. "We are thrilled to be partnering with Avanade and believe that their industry experience, dedication, and passion for excellence, which we share in common, will deliver an exceptional customer experience for Avanade's Skype for Business clients."

About Nectar Services Corp.
Nectar, a global market leader in providing the most comprehensive monitoring and diagnostics software solution for Unified Communication services, enables IT and operation organizations to proactively ensure the end-user experience. Our flagship offering, the Unified Communications Management Platform (UCMP), improves visibility and service delivery across integrated voice, video and data application solutions by providing unique and critical performance information. Nectar provides monitoring and diagnostics for millions of enterprise endpoints to over 1,200 enterprises in over 86 countries -- including some of the largest global banking, search engine, service provider, healthcare, and manufacturing organizations in the world.

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About Avanade
Avanade leads in providing innovative digital services, business solutions and design-led experiences for its clients, delivered through the power of people and the Microsoft ecosystem. Our professionals combine technology, business and industry expertise to build and deploy solutions to realize results for clients and their customers. Avanade has 27,000 digitally connected people across 23 countries, bringing clients the best thinking through a collaborative culture that honors diversity and reflects the communities in which we operate. Majority owned by Accenture, Avanade was founded in 2000 by Accenture LLP and Microsoft Corporation. Learn more at www.avanade.com.