HARRISBURG, PA, April 28, 2008 - Major North American computer products and consumer electronics distributor D&H announces it will carry Microsoft’s new Response Point Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solution for small businesses.  Response Point is a standout solution for its ease-of-use and scalability, which brings a roster of VoIP capabilities, supporting up to 50 users for small office environments.

The communications features of Response Point include voice-activated commands, advanced messaging and one-touch call forwarding, even to mobile devices for times when personnel are outside the office.  Installation wizards walk users through a simple process for integration into existing Windows-based networks, as well as adding new users once the system is installed, making it particularly easy for the system to be configured for any small business, and for it to grow with that business.

The installation, administration and daily use of Response Point is so uncomplicated that no VoIP expertise is required to either sell, set-up or use the system.  It integrates with any Windows-based infrastructure.  This means that even networking VARs with no prior telephony experience or VoIP experience can now market an industry-leading IP-based solution to its customer base, including any VAR selling Windows Server, Exchange Server or Small Business Server.

“The beauty of Microsoft Response Point is its all-around simplicity, not just for end-users, but for resellers.  It’s just about mistake-proof,” said Rob Eby, director of purchasing at D&H Distributing.  “Our networking customers will be able to pick right up and start deploying a feature-rich IP communications solution, without any VoIP background or training.  This creates a terrific opportunity for them to profit from an area in which they might previously have been wary.”

The core functionality of Response Point is delivered as a robust application pre-integrated onto a purpose-built hardware platform from three manufacturers:  long-time D&H partner D-Link offers the VoiceCenter IP phone system; Quanta’s Syspine Digital Operator Phone System, also available from D&H; and Aastra, which is scheduled to have a coordinating product available through D&H in June of 2008, including cordless “personal mobility” units.  Additionally, given the rich features and capabilities the solution offers, Response Point boasts a very competitive price-point as compared to other VoIP systems aimed at the small business market.

The straightforward yet highly scalable aspects of products like Response Point mark an evolution in the market where larger, more enterprise-oriented manufacturers have developed a much better understanding of small and medium business needs.  Many regional healthcare practices, real estate offices and start-ups maintain a staff of fewer than ten people, but are looking for an efficient IT infrastructure that will increase productivity and modernize communications to the level of an IP-telephony installation. Yet these offices don’t have the resources to accommodate difficult administration or a complex ongoing operation of the system.

“This is the typical small business customer profile that our resellers target, and the market is huge,” continued Eby. “A product like Response Point will enable these resellers to help the small business sector speed-up its transition to VoIP.  VARs will continue to tune and manage their local area networks to optimize performance while helping small businesses get the most out of Response Point’s features.”

About D&H Distributing
D&H Distributing is one of North America’s oldest and largest wholesale distributors of computer and consumer electronics products, with an impressive 90-year history serving as a trusted advisor to the reseller channel.  D&H distributed the first-ever home computer, the first color television, and even the first gaming system.  No other distributor has a greater depth of experience as a one-stop resource for IT and consumer electronics solutions than D&H. 

The company’s multi-market expertise, dedicated account reps, sterling service and ongoing educational programs reflect its continuing commitment to its customer base.  This level of all-around support enables D&H resellers and dealers to become pioneers of the newly-converged technological landscape, encompassing opportunities in the IT, SMB and digital home arenas. 
D&H won first place in five separate categories in the 2007 CMP Channel Sourcing Study, including Ease of Doing Business, Product Exclusivity, Total Solutions, Financing, and Emerging Market Expertise.  The distributor was also named Cisco Systems’ New Distribution Partner Of The Year in 2007. 

D&H ships out of six separate locations in North America, including its US headquarters in Harrisburg and its new Canadian headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario.  Additional US warehouses are located in Jacksonville, FL; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; and Fresno, CA. Call D&H toll-free at (800) 340-1001 or visit http://www.dandh.com.

Page 1 of 1 pages for this article