The move makes wholesale re-billing seamless for Lightwire’s MSP customers, giving certainty on their profit margins for VoIP services, says Nick Phillips, Head of Business, Lightwire.
“Unless it’s easy to bill, it’s difficult to be profitable,” he says. “We see some of our MSP customers passing voice services on at cost because calculating the margin is so hard that it’s just not worth the hassle. Others use a flat rate, which can lead to under or overcharging. Some do it manually, which doesn’t scale at all – it can be accurate but it’s very costly. Lightwire’s partnership with Datagate lets MSPs easily re-bill voice with accuracy, removing administrative hassle and leaving the MSP to focus on delivery and support.”
“Unless it’s easy to bill, it’s difficult to be profitable.”
Nick Phillips, Head of Business, Lightwire Business
Focused on channel success
Datagate allows MSPs to integrate with multiple carriers and multiple services and get the same UCaaS billing outcomes for all. A simple API connects Datagate’s telecom billing software with the MSP’s other systems – for example ConnectWise Manage and Xero. Data flows smoothly into Datagate and then connects with any platform used by that provider.
Lightwire does not compete with MSPs on managed services. “We focus on the success of the channel,” Nick Phillips says.
“We don’t even ask for access to the Teams environment when we’re talking about Teams Direct Routing. The MSP administers the Teams environment right through set up. That means more billable hours for them and no security risk. We empower the MSP to add value. Simplifying and automating voice billing is part of that philosophy.
“Datagate allows MSPs to incorporate Lightwire as one of number of vendors and get the same billing outcomes.”
Nick Phillips, Head of Business, Lightwire Business
“Datagate is a great partner. They’re highly responsive. They have a strong stable of existing customers among our contemporaries, which makes us feel we’re dealing in the right market, talking to the right people. It also makes us attractive to MSPs. We’re delighted with the quality of the product, the quality of the service – and most important, the unique ability of Datagate to help make voice services more profitable for our MSP customers,” Nick Phillips says.
