Tag: Westcoast

Why Play-And-Play Conferencing Is ‘Booming’ At Distributor Westcoast

Distributor Westcoast is reporting a major ‘boom’ in USB-based video conferencing, as more organisations take the simple route to collaboration success.

The international supply specialist has seen sales of plug-and-play devices rocket by over a third in the last year, and has identified a multi-billion-pound opportunity, as demand for instant connectivity continues to intensify.

UC Business Manager Sam Armstrong cites many reasons for the increased growth, from companies looking to ‘level-up’ their home and office deployments to others forced to re-invest after the Covid pandemic, after a rush to more flexible working.

It’s a view mirrored by hardware manufacturer Boom Collaboration whose business ethos is based on delivering ‘better meetings simply’.

Shift

“The conferencing arena continues to evolve and we’ve seen a significant shift to USB-based hardware,” he confirmed. “This is being fuelled by the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) trends as well as a wider desire for simpler and quicker installation and configuration.

“Organisations need flexibility and agility having developed longer term strategies about home working. Whether in the office or working elsewhere, simple plug-and-play deployment is becoming a dominant factor in the buying process.”

He added: “Wherever people are working they need quick and instant access to high performance collaboration. Gone are the days of a big clunky piece of hardware sat gathering dust in the corner of a boardroom because no one knew how to use it.”

Westcoast works with many vendors including US conferencing manufacturer Boom Collaboration – where it’s UNO and HALO videobars as well as a dedicated WFH kit are leading the charge to simpler deployments.

Maturing

Boom Co-founder Holli Hulett emphasised: “The market is definitely maturing now with some organisations having to replace their previous equipment bought during the mad rush of Covid. USB connectivity is the way forward for many and is becoming widespread across our product portfolio.”

The two parties joined forces towards the end of 2023 and have been busy laying the foundations for a major market attack as part of a flourishing supply deal.

Fellow founder Fredrik Hörnkvist added “Boom is still a relatively new brand in the UK but we’ve been very well received so far. We bring something different to the table and are ideally suited to help customers capitalise on the latest market trends. Easy connectivity and high performance hardware helps create better meetings, simply.”

Boom Collaboration Announce UK Distribution Deal With Westcoast

Fast-growing video conferencing manufacturer, Boom Collaboration, has appointed Westcoast as its official UK distributor to act as a catalyst for further international sales success.

Westcoast will supply the complete Boom Collaboration range, including 4K PTZ conferencing cameras, video bars, personal devices and audio speakers – to more than 5,000 active resellers across the country and beyond.

Boom Collaboration was formed in 2020 by founders Fredrik Hörnkvist and Holli Hulett, in a bid to disrupt the sector and stand out from the crowd – creating high performance, high value advanced products.

The ambitious Texas-based business has quickly developed an extensive conferencing portfolio and operates in 30 countries, with plans to extend to 20 more, having added 12 new markets already this year. Its operation is underpinned by the creation of four logistics centres covering all corners of the globe.

Sustained success

“Westcoast provides us with the perfect platform to officially launch the brand into the UK and open the door to sustained sales success – for all parties and most importantly their resellers. We want to offer something a little different both in terms of our products and how we do business. We are not another ‘me-too’ brand,” Hörnkvist highlights.

The Boom UNO vertical video bar, MAGNA 4K PTZ camera and GEMINI expandable audio innovation are some of the many devices available through Westcoast, along with the GOJO multi-camera controller.

“Boom Collaboration might be a relatively new conferencing name but the company has quickly built an impressive reputation and a very comprehensive product portfolio, which covers everything from personal workspaces to huddle rooms and large boardrooms,” says Westcoast’s UC Business Manager, Sam Armstrong.

He added: “There’s lots of innovation too such as intelligent video bars, expandable wireless audio and even a user friendly multi-camera controller to facilitate live events.

“Boom Collaboration can offer our resellers something different and it is a very welcome addition to our high calibre UC collaboration division across the UK and also France and Germany. We are confident this new partnership will be a big success.”

Boom’s co-founder Hulett agrees with the importance of building long term relationships. “We are young and fresh with new ideas, backed by years of personal experience that already makes us experts in this field. We are not afraid to stand out, be bold, brave and loud and do things a little differently. A disrupter to take on the field.” 

Industry powerhouse

She continues: “It’s about offering the highest levels of support to resellers through the distribution channel and going the extra mile with Westcoast. We don’t want to just stay in the middle lane. 

“We recognise resellers have the relationship with customers. Together we can help them transition to the new world we live in. They can lean on us. We are happy to help.”

Hörnkvist concludes: “Our vision is based on creating better meetings. Simply. We offer future proof solutions with solid components and technology to stand the test of time. We cover all user and room size environments.

“Equally we want to show personality, fun and passion. We are young with lots of ambition to grow. Joining forces with a huge industry powerhouse like Westcoast will add further fuel to the fire and enable us to penetrate deep into the UK and wider international markets. This is a major step forward in our growth strategy. Boom is beginning to boom.”