TROY, Mich., April 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- SunTel Services – a complete life-cycle provider of services for voice, data and unified networks to businesses in Michigan – announced today that it has achieved Gold-Certified Channel Partner status with Avaya, a leading global provider of business communications and collaboration solutions and services.  

The Avaya Connect Gold certification demonstrates that the SunTel Services team has developed comprehensive skills to help small-to-large size businesses transform their operations with Avaya's industry-leading unified communications, collaboration and contact center solutions.  

In recognition of the multi-vendor nature of today's business networks, Avaya Connect Gold channel partners earn their status by certifying staff members in the operation of Avaya systems and software, and in the operation of solutions offered by other major information technology vendors.  Gold-certified channel partners must meet rigorous service delivery and customer satisfaction criteria, develop comprehensive marketing plans and meet annual revenue commitments for the sale of Avaya solutions and services.  

SunTel sells Avaya business communications systems to its customers across Michigan and nearly doubled its sale of Avaya products in 2010 alone. Acting as a technology partner to its more than 1,000 customers, SunTel works to provide total business communication solutions by taking a full life-cycle approach – from designing, engineering and installing customized systems, to servicing them via its Customer Care Center.

"We're pleased to announce SunTel's Gold-certified partner achievement with Avaya, as it underscores our commitment to providing the highest level of service and quality to our customers," said Gary Jackson, president, SunTel Services. "Keeping pace with technology is vital to the success of any business. Being an Avaya Gold partner helps us ensure that our clients are getting the best possible technology solutions."

"Avaya Connect certifications help us ensure that customers have a consistent, quality experience from purchase through implementation and ongoing support," said Carol Giles Neslund, vice president, US Channels, Avaya.  "We are very pleased that SunTel has aligned with Avaya to provide the expertise to customers to help us extend our reach and deliver the kinds of complete, end-to-end solutions that meet the challenges businesses and organizations face today."

About SunTel Services

SunTel Services has provided complete life cycle services for voice, data and unified networks in Michigan since 1986. With more than 1,000 customers and 2,500 installations, SunTel offers a wide breadth of expertise and product offerings to customers across the automotive, manufacturing, government, healthcare, education, finance, professional services, and technology sectors. With capabilities in all critical network services, the company holds key partnerships with industry leaders, such as Avaya, Dell, Cisco, Microsoft, Mitel, Novell, Juniper Networks, Hewlett-Packard, American Power Conversion (APC), Blue Coat Systems, Fortinet and ADTRAN.

Having recently expanded into Western and Northern Michigan, SunTel serves all of Michigan through offices in Detroit, Troy, Flint, Grand Rapids and Traverse City. Learn more at http://www.suntel.com.

About Avaya:

Avaya is a global leader in business communications and collaboration, providing unified communications, contact centers, data solutions and related services to companies of all sizes around the world. For more information please visit www.avaya.com.

Certain statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "should" or "will" or other similar terminology. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While we believe these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. These and other important factors may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. For a list and description of such risks and uncertainties, please refer to Avaya's filings with the SEC that are available at www.sec.gov. Avaya disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE SunTel Services