Access4 acquires Channel UC to boost cloud communications

Access4 has announced the acquisition of Channel UC, bringing together two prominent Australian companies to enhance their service offerings in the cloud communications space.

The merger aims to create a more comprehensive product portfolio to better meet the evolving needs of modern businesses.

Access4 plans to utilise Channel UC's expertise in various domains, including omni-channel contact centre solutions, AI product development, professional services, and Session Border Control as a Service (SBCaaS). This acquisition will allow Access4 to expand its existing portfolio of Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS), analytics, messaging, and security products. The combined entity will now boast over 600 reseller partners and more than 300,000 services on its platform.

The acquisition also forms part of Access4's broader strategy to strengthen its unified communications and collaboration platform, SASBOSS. Brad Milne and Matt Milne from Channel UC will join the Access4 senior leadership team, bringing with them extensive industry knowledge and experience. They will help shape the strategic direction of the newly combined business and deepen relationships with partners and vendors.

"For both Channel UC and Access4 partners, this acquisition represents a 'better together' story," said Tim Jackson, Managing Director at Access4. "By combining our strengths, we are positioned to deliver greater innovation, expanded support, and enhanced business opportunities. With an innovation-first approach, the combined team plans to fast-track the integration of Channel UC's solution into SASBOSS and provide a scalable and automated approach to communication in different regions."

The enhanced portfolio resulting from the acquisition includes several notable improvements:

Omni-channel Contact Centre Solutions: This will enhance multi-channel communication capabilities, catering to the diverse requirements of modern businesses and complementing Access4's already launched CCaaS connectors.

Artificial Intelligence Integration: Vendor-agnostic advanced AI tools will optimise both partner and customer interactions, streamlining operations across existing and new communication platforms.

Professional Services: Expanded service offerings will now support partners in deploying and optimising solutions, especially for complex CCaaS solutions.

Session Border Control as a Service (SBCaaS): Partners will gain access to virtualised, self-managed SBCs, allowing them to connect third-party UCaaS or CCaaS solutions globally.

The merger aims to provide partners with an improved product offering and automation, consolidating support resources and ensuring seamless business continuity. Enhanced support capabilities, including a follow-the-sun model, will be introduced for smoother operations and quicker issue resolution. Channel UC partners will also have access to a flexible transition programme, which allows them to migrate to the new environment at their own pace, based on their demand for the broader product portfolio.

Brad Milne commented on the merger, stating, "The merger marks a new era in cloud communications. As we integrate our operations, our priority remains focused on supporting our partners and delivering exceptional value. With months of behind-the-scenes preparation, we are excited to offer our partner network access to both organisations' combined strengths to deliver innovative solutions that empower meaningful partnerships and outcomes that solve problems for customers and help them thrive in an increasingly digital world."

This acquisition follows Access4's previous acquisition of Perth-based Novum Networks in December 2022, which resulted in the consolidation of Novum's network and platform into Access4's Voice and UC environment. Channel UC, previously a stand-alone division of Mia Distribution, became a separate independent business after Mia's acquisition by Bluechip Infotech in 2022.