Windstream to focus on SD-WAN, partner program dir

LAS VEGAS, April 11, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Windstream (NASDAQ: WIN ), a leading provider of advanced network communications, today announced that its executives will attend the Channel Partners Conference & Expo 2017 to discuss enhancements that are planned for Windstream’s channel partner program following its merger with EarthLink earlier this year. At the conference, Windstream will also present on how customers are using SD-WAN to enhance their connectivity with remote sites.

“The past year has brought a number of positive changes for Windstream channel partners, and 2017 will bring a greater level of focus and commitment to giving them the tools and dedicated resources they need to be even more successful. We have been meeting with our Partner Advisory members and other channel partners to understand firsthand their priorities, and we are incorporating those into our channel roadmap,” said Olen Scott, Windstream’s new vice president of Channel Sales.

Scott, who joined Windstream as a result of the company’s merger with EarthLink, will be joined by Jeff Howe, executive vice president of Enterprise Sales at Windstream, and Joe Harding, executive vice president and enterprise chief marketing officer at Windstream.

Over the past year, Windstream has taken steps to improve its channel partner program, including adding dedicated Sales Engineering, Sales Support/Sales Order Coordination and Account Management to the Indirect Channel; dedicated sales engineering team members located across the company’s service areas, and a consolidated Service Order Coordinator and Channel Advocate programs that ensure more focused and responsive sales-support functions, including quoting, partner support and order entry/processing.

“In this period of great transition for the channel, we are enthusiastic about the new Windstream channel organization,” said Rick Ribas, senior vice president of the East Region for Intelisys. “Significant efforts on the part of Windstream to redesign its channel efforts have not gone unnoticed. As a major partner of both EarthLink and Windstream, we at Intelisys are excited to see positive outcomes for our channel community as a result of this merger, and we are optimistic about the future opportunities.”

At the conference, Windstream also will demonstrate its industry leading suite of advanced network communications and technology solutions, including Network & Data , SD-WAN , Voice & Unified Communications , Network Security , Managed Services and Cloud Services .

“Over the past two years, Windstream has made a number of investments in its people, processes, solutions and advanced fiber network to deliver an improved customer experience,” said Harding. “Our merger with EarthLink is an extension of that investment, and the combined company will have increased scale and scope giving it the ability to leverage best practices across a broader platform, and offer customers expanded products, services and enhanced enterprise solutions."

Windstream expert to present on SD-WAN

Yulia Duryea, director of product management at Windstream, will present on “SD-WAN – The Future of Networking.” Duryea will discuss how Windstream customers are using SD-WAN to enhance their WANs to deliver cloud-ready, secure and cost-effective networking to branch offices and remote sites — regardless of connection type or carrier. The presentation takes place at 2 pm PT on Wednesday, April 12, in the Islander E conference room located on the lower level.

Earlier this year, Windstream introduced its SD-WAN service that is transforming how businesses design and manage their networks. Powered by VeloCloud, the solution gives customers increased network agility, seamless scalability and optimized performance, all while also reducing costs.

Channel Partners Conference & Expo 2017 is scheduled for April 10-13 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, and Windstream will be located at Booth #833.

About Windstream Windstream Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: WIN ), a FORTUNE 500 company, is a leading provider of advanced network communications and technology solutions for consumers, businesses, enterprise organizations and wholesale customers across the U.S. Windstream offers bundled services, including broadband, security solutions, voice and digital TV to consumers. The company also provides data, cloud solutions, unified communications and managed services to business and enterprise clients. The company supplies core transport solutions on a local and long-haul fiber network spanning approximately 147,000 miles. Additional information is available at windstream.com . Please visit our newsroom at news.windstream.com or follow us on Twitter at @Windstream .

Media Contact Sarah C. Davis, 720.529.7611 sarah.c.davis@windstream.com