Telecom Reseller / Technology Reseller News

"The best way to protect your margins today? Curate mobile experiences that your customers actually want." — John Johnson, VP, Global Customer Success, Vibes

In this latest episode of Technology Reseller News, publisher Doug Green is joined by John Johnson of Vibes to explore how Rich Communication Services (RCS) is transforming mobile messaging into a smarter, more profitable channel for brands.

More than just texts, Vibes’ platform enables fully interactive, branded communications that blend visual engagement, personalization, and real-time commerce—all from within a native messaging app. Johnson illustrates how Vibes’ approach to RCS goes far beyond traditional SMS, enabling curated “tap-don’t-type” journeys that include product recommendations, cart recovery, color and size selection, and even in-message purchases.

With back-to-school and holiday campaigns on the horizon, Johnson explains how RCS becomes mission-critical for brands facing cost pressures from tariffs, logistics, and customer acquisition. Personalized mobile engagement isn’t just a trend—it’s now a competitive necessity. According to Vibes, early adopters of RCS messaging are seeing up to 4x the click-through rates of SMS campaigns.

Johnson also highlights how Vibes integrates mobile messaging into a brand’s broader martech stack, enabling synergy with CDPs, ESPs, and other customer data systems. The goal: true one-to-one commerce-driven messaging.

Vibes is betting big on mobile, not as just a channel, but as the primary gateway for building brand loyalty and growing customer lifetime value.

To learn more, visit www.vibes.com.

"Companies pay duties when they shouldn’t—and often don’t know they can get them back." — Noa Sussman, TecEx

In this latest installment of the TecEx Podcast Series, Technology Reseller News publisher Doug Green is joined once again by Noa Sussman of TecEx for a deep dive into one of the least understood yet most impactful opportunities in global trade: duty drawbacks.

With tariffs in flux and new rounds expected as early as August, Sussman emphasizes that even experienced IT hardware exporters may be leaving money on the table. Tariff volatility—especially under recent and forthcoming U.S. trade policies—means that companies importing equipment, only to re-export it or return unsold or damaged merchandise, may qualify for substantial reimbursements. The problem? Most don’t realize they’re eligible—or assume the process is too complex to pursue.

Sussman walks through real-world cases, including a company importing $3 million worth of rockets later launched by SpaceX. Because the hardware technically leaves U.S. territory, that business can apply to recover hundreds of thousands in duties—a scenario that applies even to one-off imports. Whether it’s unused merchandise, rejected goods, or components used in U.S.-based manufacturing for re-export, companies may qualify for duty drawbacks—if they file correctly and document thoroughly.

TecEx acts as a strategic partner in these scenarios, providing case-by-case analysis and only charging if savings are found. Sussman compares the service to that of a seasoned tax advisor: one who understands obscure government programs and evolving rules across jurisdictions.

More importantly, the conversation elevates trade compliance from a back-office function to a boardroom imperative. As tariffs affect profitability, C-suite leaders must engage early in supply chain planning to ensure compliance, mitigate risk, and improve margins.

Learn more at tecex.com.

"If you ask 100 CISOs whether their current training actually changes behavior, 95 to 98 will say, ‘not really.’” — Harley Sugarman, Founder & CEO, Anagram Security

Harley Sugarman

In this eye-opening episode of Technology Reseller News, publisher Doug Green speaks with Harley Sugarman, CEO of Anagram Security, about why traditional cybersecurity training is no longer enough—and how AI-powered threats are accelerating the need for change.

Sugarman argues that legacy training—often mandated once a year and dominated by slide decks—has failed to engage employees or meaningfully improve their behavior. "Death by PowerPoint,” as he puts it, simply doesn’t work anymore. With phishing and social engineering attacks now powered by advanced AI, companies must shift from checkbox compliance to behavior-driven learning.

Anagram Security is pioneering a new model that draws inspiration from platforms like Duolingo and TikTok, focusing on habit formation and real-world relevance. Their approach incorporates short, two-to-three-minute "puzzle"-based modules that promote critical thinking, adapting lessons for different roles—from developers to sales teams to hotel clerks. The platform also emphasizes customization, allowing enterprises to tailor content to specific job functions and threats.

Anagram’s user engagement metrics are telling: In enterprise pilots, over 90% of users preferred Anagram’s approach over traditional methods. More importantly, the company ties its training outcomes to measurable behavior improvements, such as reductions in phishing clicks and password-related vulnerabilities.

Sugarman also critiques industry jargon like "human risk management" and "vishing," emphasizing that front-line employees don’t need buzzwords—they need training that fits their real jobs and schedules. He insists that people are not the weakest link, but rather the last line of defense—and should be treated as partners, not problems.

Anagram has already attracted major brand-name clients by delivering a security awareness model that’s modern, scalable, and actually works. With AI lowering the barrier for attackers, Sugarman believes the urgency has never been greater: “This is the thing most companies will realize they have to get better at—the most, and the fastest.”

Learn more at www.anagramsecurity.com and connect with Harley Sugarman on LinkedIn.

“Detection is not the end—it’s just the beginning.” — Jerry Mancini, NETSCOUT

In this episode of Technology Reseller News, Publisher Doug Green speaks with Jerry Mancini of NETSCOUT about the company's latest advancements in automated threat detection and response—with a particular focus on why telecommunications networks are uniquely vulnerable and high-value targets.

NETSCOUT, long known for its deep packet inspection and network performance management, is expanding the capabilities of its adaptive threat analytics—a platform designed not only to detect threats but also to assemble and contextualize them using network-level intelligence.

Beyond Detection: Seeing the Full Picture

While most cybersecurity tools focus on isolated detections—EDR, firewall logs, and suspicious indicators—NETSCOUT’s approach centers on reconstructing the complete threat narrative across the enterprise. By capturing packet data continuously and using workflows to connect disparate detections, NETSCOUT enables investigators to:

Understand the root cause and lateral movement

Detect activity before and after a flagged incident

Integrate signals from multiple sources (EDR, NDR, WAF, and more)

Investigate threats in real time and retrospectively

Why Telcos Are at Greater Risk

Mancini highlights the unique role of telco infrastructure in global data movement, making them prime targets for cyber espionage and traffic manipulation. Attackers, such as the Salt Typhoon group, have used compromised routers and peering points to reroute and eavesdrop on massive data flows—impacting not just carriers but their customers across the internet.

Best Practices for Threat Hunters

NETSCOUT supports both bottom-up investigations (starting with a detected incident) and top-down threat hunts (searching for indicators tied to known campaigns). The platform’s ability to store and search packet-level data gives teams visibility that goes far beyond typical log-based detection tools.

Mancini’s key advice: “You need more than alerts—you need the data to trace back, understand what happened, and act before it’s too late.”

Where to Learn More

Visit netscout.com to explore solutions in:

Network Performance Management

DDoS Detection & Mitigation

Adaptive Threat Analytics

NETSCOUT supports both enterprise and service provider environments and is available to assist with immediate and long-term threat management strategies.

“You can now connect everything—cloud workloads, offices, data centers, users—on one software-defined network, without the hardware.” — Elizabeth Aris, CEO, Astrotel

In this Technology Reseller News podcast, Publisher Doug Green interviews David Klebanov, a leading architect at Alkira, and Elizabeth Aris, CEO of Astrotel, to explore how their partnership is delivering Network Infrastructure as a Service (NIaaS) to global enterprises—without the capital investment or complexity of traditional networking.

Born in the Cloud, Built for the AI Era

Alkira, founded in 2018, was born with a vision to deliver networking the same way cloud services are consumed: on demand, scalable, and usage-based. The Alkira platform runs entirely in the cloud—across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud—allowing enterprises to deploy secure, high-performance global networks in hours, not months.

“Our platform is the networking and security foundation for today’s distributed, cloud-first enterprise,” said Klebanov. “And it’s built to support AI workloads and multi-cloud architectures from day one.”

Channel-Driven and Globally Deployed

Astrotel, based in Sydney, is a service provider and Alkira partner helping customers across the Asia-Pacific region deploy network services in minutes using Alkira’s cloud-native platform. Aris emphasized the advantage: no hardware, no CapEx, and up to 60% cost savings.

“We’re setting up entire global networks using Alkira’s software-based cloud exchange points. It’s a massive differentiator,” said Aris. “From remote Australia to Hong Kong to London, you just connect your sites to the nearest cloud region—there’s no need to negotiate with local telcos or install new gear.”

Enterprise-Grade Security and Simplicity

The Alkira platform integrates firewall, DNS, DHCP, and other critical services directly into its virtualized architecture. IT teams can manage and secure the network through Alkira’s centralized portal—or via REST APIs and Terraform for programmatic deployments.

A single control plane manages the entire hybrid network—connecting public cloud workloads, private data centers, branch offices, remote users, and partner networks. This includes secure extranet support for M&A environments, allowing partial segmentation during network convergence.

A Win for Carriers, Too

Interestingly, carriers are also using Alkira to extend their reach. Aris explained that tier-one telcos are deploying Alkira to serve customers in markets where they lack infrastructure. “Instead of buying wholesale access from foreign providers, they spin up Alkira and deliver services in hours. It’s flexible, fast, and operationally simple.”

Where to Learn More

Visit alkira.com to explore Alkira’s cloud-first networking platform.

Visit astrotel.io to learn how Astrotel deploys Alkira services across Asia-Pacific.

Partner Opportunities: Alkira’s 100% channel-focused model is open to partners in the U.S., Canada, and globally who are ready to offer NIaaS and cloud-native connectivity solutions.

“Connectivity is your brand. And with RYTHMz, MSPs can deliver that brand anywhere.” — Leonard J. Dimiceli, RYTHMz

In a fast-paced and highly practical conversation, Leonard J. Dimiceli, Vice President of Sales at RYTHMz, joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to unveil how managed service providers (MSPs) can tap into a brand-new revenue stream: delivering internet anywhere, anytime.

As the industry gears up for GTIA’s ChannelCon, Dimiceli previewed the company’s innovative offerings—compact, ruggedized units that combine bonded multi-carrier SIM technology, enterprise-grade antennas, SD-WAN, and plug-and-play functionality to create a true “internet-in-a-box” solution.

From Emergencies to Events: Monetizing the Gaps in Connectivity

Whether it's a construction site, a food truck, a pop-up event, or an office awaiting primary service installation, RYTHMz delivers temporary and backup internet to keep businesses online. Dimiceli shared how MSPs can now offer guaranteed connectivity, respond instantly to outages, and generate recurring and on-demand revenue without competing with existing PSA, RMM, or cybersecurity solutions.

“It’s not if they’ll call you—it’s when. And with RYTHMz, MSPs can be the hero, not the messenger,” Dimiceli noted.

Channel-Only, MSP-First

RYTHMz is built for the channel. With its B-Link 5G unit as the go-to solution and options like the Queen Bee and Drone Response for larger and smaller use cases, MSPs can deploy connectivity scaled to their clients’ needs—from five users to 100,000.

What’s more, RYTHMz supports MSPs with go-to-market strategies, event-specific lead gen ideas, and even marketing materials. One partner turned a RYTHMz box into a local event billboard—offering free Wi-Fi in exchange for brand exposure and email capture.

Recurring Revenue Without Disruption

For MSPs, RYTHMz represents “net new” recurring revenue without having to change or replace existing services. Partners can even keep units on standby and offer emergency service plans as a premium subscription—generating revenue even when the box isn’t deployed.

See It Live at GTIA ChannelCon

RYTHMz will exhibit at GTIA ChannelCon at booth 522, where attendees can demo the full lineup and catch a few Star Wars-themed surprises. “We’re not asking you to rip anything out,” Dimiceli said. “This is an additive opportunity—new revenue, new value, no disruption.”

To learn more, visit rythmz.com or contact Leonard directly at [email protected].

David Erickson challenges legacy tech, invites the White House—and everyone else—to rediscover the power of voice

“We’re not a discount service. We’re a better service built on a different economic—and it’s time to bring back audio.” — David Erickson, Founder, FreeConferenceCall.com

In a candid and compelling interview with Technology Reseller News, David Erickson, founder of FreeConferenceCall.com, joins publisher Doug Green to make a bold case for a resurgence in audio conferencing.

Fresh off offering his service as a reliable alternative to AT&T—following a widely publicized White House conferencing failure—Erickson explains why many organizations are rediscovering the simplicity, reliability, and efficiency of audio meetings. With 25 years in the space and millions of users, FreeConferenceCall.com isn’t just free—it’s also architected for geo-diverse, high-definition, secure performance that Erickson claims outpaces legacy systems.

Key Points from the Interview:

Audio That Works—Every Time

FreeConferenceCall.com is built on proprietary, cloud-native bridges with global reach and no moving parts. Result: better uptime, better fidelity, and support that actually answers the phone.

One Number Simplicity

New “One Number” functionality allows executives to join a secure conference call with a single SMS link—no access codes, no waiting rooms, no tech hurdles. It’s already being adopted by C-suites, including a major U.S. airline.

Video Fatigue Is Real

Erickson points to rising “camsiety” and the hidden costs of video: delayed starts, distraction, over-awareness. Audio meetings, he argues, are faster to join, more focused, and better suited to today’s mobile workforce.

⚙️ Built for Today, Not Yesterday

Unlike traditional conferencing services that still rely on aging hardware or complex setups, FreeConferenceCall.com was designed from the start to be software-based, VoIP-native, and economically efficient.

Not Just Cheaper—Better

This isn’t a stripped-down, bargain-basement platform. It's a high-performance conferencing service—offered for free because the tech and economics allow it.

The Takeaway:

Whether you're the White House, a 501(c)(3), or a startup, Erickson encourages everyone to try FreeConferenceCall.com—not as a replacement for every meeting platform, but as a faster, smarter, and more human alternative.

Learn more or get started in seconds: www.freeconferencecall.com

Why Exclusive Networks says modern cybersecurity requires more than “pick, pack, and ship”

“We’re not just a distributor. We’re a channel services aggregator — an extension of our partners’ businesses.” — Jason Beal, President, Americas, Exclusive Networks

In this episode of Technology Reseller News, publisher Doug Green sits down with Jason Beal, President, Americas, and Andrew Warren, VP of Sales and Marketing, North America, to explore how Exclusive Networks is rewriting the rules of cybersecurity distribution in North America.

More than just moving product, Exclusive Networks delivers white-glove service, certified expertise, and true channel partnership — simplifying cybersecurity sales and delivery for MSPs, MSSPs, and solution providers. With over 45 country operations and reach into 170 markets, the company now brings its global playbook to North America with fresh investments, expanded services, and a unique partner-first approach.

Key Highlights from the Conversation:

Partner Empathy as Philosophy

Exclusive Networks builds programs around the real-world needs of partners — from helping an MSP with student-powered hiring programs to assisting with complex financing, logistics, and field deployment.

From MSP to MSSP, Cyber Expertise at Every Step

Whether you're a security-focused MSP or a fully-fledged MSSP, Exclusive offers domain expertise, hands-on technical support, and services like SASE implementation, firewall deployment, and SOC augmentation through its CloudRise acquisition.

Training & Certification Simplified

With global training centers and relationships with top vendors like Fortinet and Palo Alto Networks, Exclusive lowers the barrier for entry but offers high benefits for those who commit to deep certification and specialization.

Demand Generation for End Users and Partners

Exclusive not only helps vendors reach the market — it also helps partners generate demand directly from end users, creating new revenue opportunities across the lifecycle.

A New Kind of Distributor

Exclusive Networks calls itself a “channel services aggregator”, offering a full lifecycle of services — from sales support and technology enablement to post-sales adoption and renewals — redefining what a modern cybersecurity distributor should be.

What’s Next?

Expect new vendor partnerships, expanded services, and continued investment in dedicated local support across the U.S. and Canada — all backed by the belief that “people still do business with people.”

Learn more at: www.exclusive-networks.com

Aviatrix survey reveals only 8% of enterprises have effective Zero Trust — and why network security needs to catch up

“Without all three legs, you don’t have a stool — therefore, you don’t really have Zero Trust.” — Doug Merritt, CEO, Aviatrix

In a revealing interview with Technology Reseller News, Aviatrix CEO Doug Merritt joins publisher Doug Green to spotlight the cloud security gap most enterprises don’t yet realize they have — and what Aviatrix is doing to solve it.

Drawing on a just-released survey of 403 U.S. IT professionals, Merritt paints a sobering picture: only 8% of respondents believe they have an effective Zero Trust security stance in the cloud. While identity and endpoint protections have advanced, the third critical leg — network security — is largely missing. That gap, says Merritt, is what Aviatrix is closing with its Cloud Native Security Fabric (CNSF).

Founded by a pioneering female Cisco engineer, Aviatrix brings deep roots in software-defined networking and cloud infrastructure. Today, the company is evolving into a cloud security leader by embedding inline network protection that adapts to cloud-native realities: atomized perimeters, ephemeral workloads, and increasingly complex DevOps pipelines.

“The internet is now the enterprise network,” Merritt explains. “Your perimeter isn’t five data centers — it’s tens of thousands of ephemeral endpoints, APIs, and SaaS services.”

Key insights from the podcast include:

Why CNSF matters: CNSF forms the third leg of a Zero Trust framework alongside identity and endpoint security — bringing visibility, enforcement, and micro/macrosegmentation into cloud network traffic.

Alarming survey findings: 2 out of 3 enterprises struggle with deploying cloud firewalls, over 50% cite visibility blind spots, and 85% report difficulties securing DevOps pipelines.

Cloud threats on the rise: The shift to agentic AI and increasingly automated cyber threats make it essential to monitor east-west and egress traffic within the cloud — stopping lateral movement and command-and-control attacks before they spread.

Channel opportunity: Aviatrix offers a partner-friendly CNSF solution that complements existing tools like CrowdStrike, Zscaler, Wiz, and cloud-native firewalls — with modular deployment, flexible integration, and a well-designed partner program.

For organizations seeking to close their cloud network security blind spots, Aviatrix provides a free Network Security Blind Spot Assessment. And for those wanting to dig deeper, the full survey is available at aviatrix.com/resources.

Learn more: https://aviatrix.com

Intermedia’s Brian Gregory on portfolios, Teams integration, and AI that partners can actually resell

“Service providers have tremendous brand equity—and they should use that to the maximum, ” Brian Gregory, Director of Product Marketing at Intermedia

As cloud communications enters a new chapter shaped by Microsoft Teams, agentic AI, and rising customer expectations, Intermedia is helping service providers rethink and rebuild their portfolios from the ground up.

In this episode of Technology Reseller News, Brian Gregory, Director of Product Marketing at Intermedia, joins Doug Green to explore how service providers can capitalize on their home-field advantage—strong customer relationships, existing network services, and trusted brands—by delivering white-labeled UCaaS, CCaaS, and integrated Teams solutions with Intermedia.

Key Takeaways:

White Label Everything

Intermedia’s business is 92% channel-driven, enabling providers to fully brand and resell its unified communications, contact center, and Microsoft 365 offerings—keeping customer ownership and brand equity intact.

Monetizing Microsoft Teams

With Microsoft Teams commanding nearly 50% of the collaboration market, Intermedia’s Teams-integrated telephony solution (launched August 2024) gives providers a clear path to offer high-margin, full-featured phone and contact center services—all within the Teams interface.

AI You Can Sell

Intermedia integrates real-world AI functions—like meeting summarization, sentiment analysis, real-time assist, and CRM integrations—into its UCaaS and CCaaS platforms. These features are practical, deployable today, and tailored for mid-market customers and partners.

Service Provider-Ready

No minimums. No upfront hurdles. Just a success-based model designed to align with provider needs. Vertical integrations (like recent auto dealer CRM tie-ins) and robust APIs help expand revenue streams across industries.

Intermedia’s Formula for Service Provider Growth:

✅ Strong economics and white-label branding

✅ Integrated Teams calling and contact center

✅ AI-powered productivity tools (resellable today)

✅ Flexible contracts with no minimums

✅ Vertical solutions + CRM/API support

To learn more about Intermedia’s full service provider offering, visit: www.intermedia.com.