What's Inside

  1. Company News: Ken Bisnoff Joins the AireSpring Team
  2. Product News: AireSpring Adds Breezeline to Its Carrier List
  3. Q4 Incentives: Get What You Really Want Q4 Promo; 10X MRC MS Teams Direct Routing Promo
  4. Monthly Partner Training: Win More Customers with Managed Services, Thurs., Nov. 2, 2023
  5. Coming Events
  6. SD-WAN & SASE Virtual Boot Camp: Thurs., Oct. 12, 2023
  7. Partner Spotlight: Joey Montez, President of Strategic Services, Unity Communications, Austin, TX
  8. Meet the AireSpring Team: Matthew Curtis, Regional Channel Manager

Industry Icon Ken Bisnoff Joins AireSpring as

SVP of Customer Success

AireSpring is excited to announce that Ken Bisnoff has joined its leadership team as the Senior Vice President of Customer Success.

Ken is one of the most respected executives in the telecommunications industry and has over 30 years of experience leading high-performing organizations through periods of rapid organizational growth and expansion.

During his career, Ken has held various management leadership positions, most notably as a founding member of the TPx Communications (formerly TelePacific) executive team, where for over 20 years, he played an integral role in that company's explosive growth and transformation from a small startup regional CLEC to a billion-dollar national managed services provider.

During his time at TPx, Ken held various roles that included leading direct and indirect sales, human resources, and marketing communications. Ken’s track record of achievement as a channel leader includes recognition by CRN magazine as a Top 50 Most Influential “Channel Chief” in 2023, and from 2017 to 2019. He also earned the Circle of Excellence Award in 2017 from Channel Partners Magazine. Ken has served on the advisory boards of both the Technology Channel Association and Channel Partners.

“Ken Bisnoff is one of the most respected executives in the telecommunications industry,” stated Daniel Lonstein, President and CRO, AireSpring. “Ken’s extensive experience and proven record of growing organizations makes him the ideal leader to ensure our customers have a world-class experience. Ken will be a valued asset to AireSpring as we continue to invest in the success of our customers for our global managed SD-WAN and connectivity services.”

“I am very excited to join the AireSpring leadership team and to help oversee their customer experience lifecycle management efforts,” stated Ken. “I have known and respected the AireSpring organization and leadership for over 20 years and admired their longstanding presence and stellar reputation which has been hard-earned in the partner channel community with award winning customer service.”

AireSpring Adds Cable Provider Breezeline

AireSpring is pleased to announce it is now offering cable provider Breezeline products. Breezeline, a subsidiary of Cogeco Communications Inc., is the eighth-largest cable operator in the United States.

In addition, Breezeline symmetrical speeds are now available. The speeds supported are:

  • 100M/100M
  • 300M/300M
  • 600M/600M
  • 1000M/1000M

A single static IP address is included with the service, with 1-year, 2-year and 3-year terms available. Please check QuoteSpring for more information or reach out to your AireSpring Channel Manager.

Get What You Really Want Q4 Promo!

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Earn 10X MRC with Microsoft Teams Direct Routing from AireSpring!

Whether you’re looking for a little bit of luxury or have your eye on some top-of-the-line golf gear, AireSpring can help you get what you really want this holiday season. All partners who bring in $25,000 or more of new MRC business to AireSpring during Q4 2023 will receive their choice of $2,500 gift certificate to Tiffany's or the PGA Tour SuperStore. The contest runs through December 31, 2023.

AireSpring has also extended the 10X MRC Spiff on its Microsoft Teams Direct Routing solution through December 31, 2023. Microsoft Teams Direct Routing from AireSpring enables users to make and receive calls in Microsoft Teams using the AireSpring voice network and offers features not available in Microsoft Calling Plans.

As always, AireSpring is committed to helping you win new clients, retain customers and close more business ahead of the competition. And we pledge to support you and your clients like no other supplier in the channel.

Our channel partners benefit from some of the highest evergreen commissions, spiffs, and bonuses in the industry. In fact, AireSpring is one of the only suppliers to offer spiffs on renewals:

  • 10X MRC on MS Teams Direct Routing
  • Up to 6X MRC on Voice/Cloud Services
  • 2X Spiff on Wireless WAN
  • 2X MRC on POTS Replacement
  • 1X MRC on SD-WAN and Global SD-WAN Services
  • 1X on Managed Security
  • 1.5X MRC on Connectivity Services & MPLS
  • $1,600 Cash Bonus on Toll-Free Services
  • $800 Cash Bonus on Long-Distance Services
  • Earn even more with 5% EXTRA Bonus Residual Commission on AireSpring Network & SIP LD (wholesale accounts do not qualify).

AireSpring’s Channel Managers and Solutions Engineering Team are committed to providing you with expert guidance and concierge service so you can easily deliver the best products to your customers and gain a competitive edge. AireSpring has always been 100% channel and has everything you need to provide the best customer service to your clients:

Ready to get what you really want? Contact your AireSpring Channel Manager for details.

Win More Customers with Managed Services

An increasing number of IT teams are being asked to do more with less. More and more companies face a skill shortage when it comes to finding qualified IT staff. How do they cope? They outsource.

  • According to a survey of CFOs conducted by Gartner, by 2026, 77% of IT spend on cybersecurity will be allocated to Managed Security Services Providers (MSSPs).
  • The MSSPs market is predicted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12% through 2027.
  • The Managed Security Service market alone will increase to $50 billion by 2027.
  • 80% of IT organizations said they plan to consolidate vendors over the next three years.

AireSpring has been offering Managed Services and a single source solution for almost two decades. It’s been the global MSP of choice for many large, multi-location enterprises, and provides them with a better network design and a best-of-breed, integrated multi-service solution with personalized service, and cost savings. Join Mike Chase, AireSpring's SVP of Solutions Engineering for a review of real-life customer success stories of companies that have achieved success by opting for managed services from AireSpring.

Enhance your value to your customers and 10X your MRR with Managed Services.

What: Partner Training Webinar

Date: Thursday, November 2, 2023

Time: 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM (EDT)

Presenters: Mike Chase, Senior VP Solutions Engineering, AireSpring

Please complete the survey after the webinar for a chance to win a

$100 Amazon gift card

AVANT Special Forces Summit

October 2-5, 2023

Phoenix, AZ

REGISTER HERE

TD SYNNEX Vendor Summit

October 3-5, 2023

Greenville, SC

REGISTER HERE

BridgePoint Tech Summit

October 9-12, 2023

La Quinta, CA

REGISTER HERE

AireSpring SD-WAN and SASE Virtual Boot Camp

Thursday, October 12, 2023

REGISTER HERE

ScanSource Channel Connect

October 16-19, 2023

Orlando, FL

REGISTER HERE

Capacity Europe 2023

October 17-19, 2023

London

REGISTER HERE

AppDirect Regional Event

October 19, 2023

Charlotte, NC

REGISTER HERE

AireSpring Partner Training

Thursday, November 2, 2023

REGISTER HERE

Webinar: AireSpring's SD-WAN and SASE Virtual Boot Camp

Instructor: Mike Chase, J.D. CCIE, SVP Solutions Engineering

Date: Thursday, October 12, 2023

Time: 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM (CT)

  • Get up to speed on SD-WAN, the technology that improves control, management, up time, business agility, security, and data encryption of Wide Area Networks.
  • Get an overview of VMware, Fortinet and Cisco-Meraki SD-WAN solutions.
  • Take a deep dive into AireSpring’s Global Managed SD-WAN solution and Global Private Network (GPN).
  • Learn more about AireSpring’s international expansion and internet circuit procurement.
  • Discover how SASE can reduce your customers’ exposure to security risks.

Presented By:

Mike Chase, J.D., CCIE #7226

Senior VP Solutions Engineering

Reviews From Our Recent Boot Camps:

“Mike Chase is one of the best teachers for technology (SD-WAN, Security, VOIP)! He patiently explains the subtle issues that matter and provides differentiation.”

- Vinay Khanna, Network Architects, LLC

“My understanding of SASE has increased 100%. Mike illuminated the reason why SASE is the future of SD-WAN.”

- Brian Laurie, Tech Tree Advisors

“This was one of the best training courses I have attended in the past year.”

- Cristy Sea, Cactus Technology

“It was very well done. Non-stop quality information.”

- Thomas Capone, NYDLA.org

Space is Limited!

Deadline to register varies by date of Boot Camp.

Reserve your spot and your Amazon gift card now!

Only one gift card per person per boot camp per year.

Boot Camp is only available to channel sales partners.

Suppliers may not attend.

All Attendees Must Register in Advance!

To begin, please tell us a little about yourself and your agency.

To introduce myself and provide insights into our agency, I bring a wealth of experience spanning over two decades in leadership, telecommunications, call center management and business development.

My operational base is in Austin, Texas. Prior to my tenure with Unity Communications, www.unity-connect.com and www.unitytech-connect, I held various managerial and executive positions, including a role as Regional Business Manager at AT&T, where I oversaw the production of the mid-market sales teams, but also took an active role in personally managing many of the relationships with small businesses customers and enterprise customers for the South Texas Region.

Unity Communications, headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is the hub of our operations. Our extensive team serves a diverse clientele, encompassing both regional and national healthcare organizations, banks, law firms, construction companies, government agencies, and semiconductor companies, both domestically and internationally. We also function as a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) service provider, boasting a global network of over 350 agents who continuously support a growing customer base.

Our company's reputation has flourished primarily through word of mouth, solidifying our position as an Award-Winning Solution Provider for an impressive nine consecutive years, spanning from 2014 to 2023 for the AT&T Alliance Channel. Additionally, we have attained Loyalty Gold Status with Telarus, the largest privately held technology solutions broker firm in the United States, for the past two years. Furthermore, we're proud recipients of the prestigious Inc. 5000 Award for the third year in a row, a testament to our consistent year-over-year growth.

At Unity Communications, we pride ourselves on offering customers a diverse range of options and fostering in-depth discussions to identify the most suitable solutions. We prioritize swift and responsive pricing inquiries and ensure dedicated personnel for each project, alleviating the burden on partners like AireSpring or the customer themselves. In essence, we are recognized as trusted advisors, deeply committed to customer success, adept at negotiating better rates and services, and ever ready to advocate on behalf of our clients. Consequently, we are often the first point of contact when customers encounter challenges with their carriers.

What do you like about working with AireSpring?

“One of the standout aspects of working with AireSpring is the exceptional professionalism and problem-solving skills demonstrated by their staff…”

What I find truly valuable in our collaboration with AireSpring is the relief it provides from tasks that were once handled in-house. Prior to partnering with AireSpring, we shouldered the responsibilities of rate negotiations, price management, and the intricate work of liaising with multiple carriers to address outages promptly. Ensuring that businesses swiftly resumed normal operations following outages, often within the same day or before the start of the next day, was a significant undertaking for us. AireSpring has stepped in to shoulder this burden, allowing us to channel our efforts toward enhancing customer satisfaction and expanding our business.

One of the standout aspects of working with AireSpring is the exceptional professionalism and problem-solving skills demonstrated by their staff, including project managers, engineers, and channel managers. This becomes evident when tackling challenges that arise during migrations or test and turn-up (TTU) processes. AireSpring's direct line of communication with carriers, enabling them to proactively address outages even before the carrier or the managed services provider (MSP) detects them, is a tremendous asset. I must commend AireSpring Regional Channel Manager Kent Krebs, whose contributions have been exemplary. Additionally, AireSpring Senior Project Coordinator Amy Dymock has been instrumental in facilitating over 84 connections for one of our clients in the past year alone. Their commitment and expertise are truly commendable, and the entire AireSpring team significantly streamlines our operations.

What distinguishes AireSpring, in my perspective, is their extensive portfolio of technology services and options, which we can offer to our customers at a discounted rate due to our substantial order volume. This arrangement enables us to build comprehensive networks under a unified platform, resulting in cost-effective billing and often superior service quality. Our offerings span beyond a single product; AireSpring empowers us to provide voice services like UCaaS/CCaaS, various SD-WAN solutions, a wide selection of firewall brands, cybersecurity services, cloud solutions, and diverse fiber connections for both primary and backup high-availability broadband connections, all tailored to the proximity of our customers' facilities. This versatility accommodates the specific needs of IT teams and simplifies purchasing decisions by leveraging current competitive data and ongoing market research. What truly excites me is witnessing the exceptional support AireSpring offers our customers, the access to multiple carriers, the convenience of consolidated billing, and a single point of contact for our clients to access everything they require, all within one portal.

What would you say is the secret to being a successful trusted advisor/sales agent in today’s marketplace?

The key to thriving as a trusted advisor or sales agent in today's dynamic marketplace lies in our unwavering commitment to nurturing customer relationships. Our foremost priority is to uphold our commitments and maintain a consistent action pattern. Personally, I've always adhered to the mantra: "Get to know me, like me, trust me, and then pay me!" However, in this context, it's important to note that AireSpring compensates Unity, not the customer. This unique arrangement allows us to maintain complete impartiality when shaping the trajectory of our customers' future network solutions. Our approach hinges on offering customers diverse choices and facilitating technical discussions to identify the most suitable solutions, all while ensuring rapid responses to pricing inquiries and prompt service delivery, backed by comprehensive support.

"The key to thriving as a trusted advisor or sales agent in today's dynamic marketplace lies in our unwavering commitment to nurturing customer relationships."

Equally essential is the practice of post-sale engagement and the cultivation of enduring customer relationships. There are several reasons why effective follow-up is crucial for success. Firstly, it ensures customer satisfaction by swiftly addressing any concerns that may arise. Consistent post-sale support is a testament to our unwavering dedication, ultimately fostering loyalty and repeat business. Furthermore, regular follow-up, especially on a quarterly basis, serves as a valuable source of insights to refine our products or services in alignment with the ever-evolving technology landscape. Monthly touch points, whether through text messages or phone calls, play a vital role in ensuring that customers are fully utilizing their services and provide an excellent opportunity to re-engage, gather insights to address any post-sale issues, or celebrate new successes.

Building trust and stronger relationships is further enhanced by stepping out of the office and engaging in face-to-face conversations. Meetings over coffee or working lunches with clients are invaluable, as they provide an outlet for clients to share their challenges and concerns, which we, as trusted advisors, are poised to solve. Happy customers often become advocates for our business, expanding our professional network through referrals. Our commitment to robust post-sale support sets us apart from competitors, highlighting our holistic approach to customer care. Positive post-sale experiences not only turn customers into brand advocates but also result in endorsements that enhance our reputation. Ultimately, our post-sale engagement strategy is an investment in long-term customer satisfaction, loyalty, referrals, and business growth. Given the recent wave of layoffs at carriers, it's more imperative than ever that we aim for success and provide robust support for our incoming sales agents, and our partnership with AireSpring significantly contributes to achieving these objectives.

What do you foresee happening in the channel in 2023/2024? (Or, what is the “next big thing” or “things” you think people should be aware of or get involved in, etc.)?

"As organizations increasingly recognize the importance of safeguarding their digital assets, the demand for robust cybersecurity solutions will continue to surge. "

Looking ahead to 2024, the telecommunications landscape is set to witness a transformative shift with the widespread adoption of 5G technology. This marks the next major advancement in telecommunication networks and devices, offering significantly higher speeds compared to previous cellular broadband networks. Importantly, 5G exhibits remarkable capabilities in areas where it's deployed, including the ability to support a multitude of connected devices. It's poised to revolutionize our industry.

In this evolving landscape, I anticipate a heightened emphasis on cybersecurity services. As organizations increasingly recognize the importance of safeguarding their digital assets, the demand for robust cybersecurity solutions will continue to surge. Additionally, the trend of migrating from traditional PBX systems to more versatile Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) and Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) solutions will gain momentum. This transition promises enhanced communication and collaboration capabilities, driving efficiency and productivity.

Another area poised for growth is remotely managed IT help desk services. As organizations continue to embrace remote work and rely on digital infrastructure, the need for efficient IT support, delivered remotely, will be paramount. These services will play a pivotal role in maintaining reliable, seamless operations.

Furthermore, network resiliency will be a critical focus with growth and climate change. Products with high-service level agreements (SLAs) incorporate robust resiliency features to mitigate against potential outages. As cloud-based production becomes increasingly prevalent, this proactive approach will help ensure uninterrupted connectivity and service reliability for the future.

Within the realm of UCaaS (Voice) and CCaaS (Contact Center), we are witnessing remarkable growth patterns among our customers as they leverage the real-time data and analytics provided by these solutions. For instance, one of our healthcare clients started with 650 licenses and has expanded to 1,180 licenses and doubled the size of their contact center. Their operations have evolved from standard business hours to round-the-clock availability, reflecting the power of data-driven insights in optimizing their voice environment.

In addition to these transformative shifts, it's important to note that the phase-out of plain-old-telephone service (POTS) is resulting in price hikes for analog services. Companies that have not transitioned to POTS replacement services may face financial challenges. Thus, a crucial consideration for businesses in the immediate future is migrating away from POTS lines to alternative solutions that align with the evolving telecommunications landscape.

What are some of your hobbies and interests outside of telecom?

Beyond my involvement in the telecom industry, I have a deep commitment to civic engagement. For the past six years, I've dedicated myself to the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where I held positions as an Executive Committee member and Board Director. In this capacity, I've been actively involved in supporting the Hispanic business community, which consists of over 800 members. My contributions have encompassed fostering networking opportunities, providing valuable resources, and advocating for their needs. Notably, I was honored with the title of Austin Hispanic Leader of the Year in 2016 by HAL (Hispanic Austin Leadership), which was a significant recognition of my civic contributions.

Turning to my personal interests, I'm an avid enthusiast of outdoor activities. Among my hobbies is mountain biking, which offers physical challenges and a connection to nature. Coastal fishing and boating are also passions of mine, offering moments of serenity and connection with the natural world. One of my cherished routines involves catching a breathtaking sunset on Lake Travis with my children on Sunday evenings, providing a tranquil and rejuvenating experience before diving into the demands of the workweek.

Additionally, I derive great joy from outdoor adventures with my son, particularly as he embarks on his journey as a Boy Scout. I actively participate as a Den Leader for our troop, fostering his growth and development in this important endeavor. Moreover, I'm deeply engaged in my wife's and my children's pursuit of earning their black belts in Tong Soo Do, a Korean martial art form. This involvement reflects my dedication to their personal and martial arts journeys, as they work towards achieving this significant milestone.

Tell us about your professional background and roles you’ve held prior to joining AireSpring.

Prior to joining AireSpring, I helped launch a local bootstrap aggregator in Austin, TX, Reallinx, Inc., where I developed the organization’s channel program. After more than 11 years of both direct and channel sales, and after our eventual purchase by GTT, I moved to Ntegrated Solutions, an aggregator out of Dallas, TX, as VP of Sales. I used my experience to develop their first channel program and establish them as a supplier with multiple technology solutions brokers (TSBs). After Ntegrated’s acquisition, I joined Crossvergence, Inc., a professional services organization as their Director of Enterprise Development, helping businesses procure technology services, and just before joining AireSpring in 2021, I served as Regional Sales Manager at Ooma, Inc.

What do you like about working at AireSpring?

The breadth of experience between the team members is varied and vast, especially because AireSpring has been around for 22 years—we have deep knowledge of the industry. The entire team has always done an amazing job of supporting our partners, their clients, and me to ensure that every experience is as satisfying as we can possibly make it. AireSpring’s commitment to their partners and their customers is evident in the work we do daily. We’re a collaborative team and I think that really makes a big difference and sets us apart in the marketplace.

Tell us about your role at AireSpring and how you are helping/working with your channel partners and TSDs.

My primary role is to support my partners and their respective technology solutions distributor (TSD) teams with education, demos, quotes, contracts, and pre/post sale support, and do everything possible to reciprocate the support of the AireSpring team members, with new revenue. I aim to treat partners as I would any customer and give them all the tools they need to close business and succeed. It’s also important to keep them engaged and updated monthly and quarterly about changes to our products and services. AireSpring offers a lot of benefits to our partners, like spiffs on renewals and commissions, and I want to make sure they’re always aware of how to take advantage of those.

Tell us about your hobbies outside of work.

I enjoy spending time with my precious wife, Christina, and our 3 dogs. I also enjoy painting, playing guitar, spending time with friends and family, and metal forging when time allows. The painting technique I often use is commonly referred to as an acrylic pour method and involves combining acrylic paint with various types of pouring media, silicon, and the use of a handheld torch. I’m by no means an expert, but it’s a nice way to escape from the stresses of daily life and give the brain a recess for a couple of hours when I can.

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AireSpring is an award-winning provider of Managed Connectivity and Cloud Communications solutions providing fully managed and connected end-to-end, next-generation solutions for multi-location enterprise customers, including:

AireSpring's services are delivered over its revolutionary nationwide SIP Network, providing customers a fully integrated, end-to-end solution from a single vendor.