CRN Exclusive: Broadvoice Bundles UCaaS, Contact Center, And Connectivity For SMBs

Cloud communications provider Broadvoice wants to help channel partners corner the small-to-midsized business market with a UC-as-a-Service platform that combines cloud PBX, contact center, and collaboration tools.

Broadvoice generates about 90 percent of its revenue from channel partners. Solution providers have been looking for a one-platform solution for cloud-based communication services, rather than having to cobble together separate voice, collaboration, and contact center solutions for end customers.

In response, the Los Angeles-based provider on Thursday unveiled Broadvoice b-hive, a UCaaS and virtual contact center platform that targets SMBs.

[Related: Broadvoice Picks Up XBP To Create More Customized VoIP, Contact Center Offerings]

Broadvoice's b-hive bundles UCaaS, collaboration, and cloud-based contact center tools with Broadvoice's redundant network and hosting infrastructure. The range of communications tools in this offering, according to Broadvoice, will give SMBs access to the features and flexibility they'll need to get their work done and better compete in their respective markets.

"B-hive is really designed for that small customer, all the way up to 1,000 seat customer with their own call center … It's a one-stop shop; all communication tools are on one platform," said Katie Rutledge, account manager for PhoneSense, a telecom solution provider and Broadvoice partner.

PhoneSense, based in Houston, targets customers of all sizes and believes that b-hive will be a great, all-encompassing option for its SMB clients.

The platform makes it easy for customers to make any changes or program their voice systems directly from the web-based portal, Rutledge said. "It's a very simple and user-friendly platform, especially for some SMB customers who can be old-school. [b-hive] will definitely spark some customers to look at what else they can do and what else they can offer their end customers," she said.

Broadvoice is making b-hive available in three packages that partners can extend to their business customers, including b-hive Metered, b-hive Standard and b-hive Pro. Each package can be sold for a set subscription price based the number seats or concurrent call paths. Discounts are available for one-to-three-year contract terms, the company said.

Broadvoice has spent the last two years aggressively building out its channel strategy and program. In 2017, the company also acquired telecom service provider XBP, which helped Broadvoice bolster its own hosted voice and UC offerings with XBP's custom telephony and contact center offerings.

’Realizing our vision for a complete communications solution for small businesses is one of the primary drivers behind our acquisition of XBP and its proprietary technology last year,’ Jim Murphy, Broadvoice's CEO said of the deal.