Ottawa-based The Utility Company has had its information technology franchise model adopted by its first telecom reseller partner.

The company, which provides information technology services as a managed utility to small and medium-sized businesses, announced that Virginia's Telemaxx Inc. has joined The Utility Company's managed services franchise system.

"To improve the adoption of new technology like voice-over-Internet-protocol, telecom resellers (such as Telemaxx) must acquire the domain expertise to design, deliver and proactively maintain IT networks," said The Utility Company president Mark Scott in a statement. "No business is going to unplug their legacy phone system to have their new system work like most networks do, irrespective of the benefits of unified communications."

The Utility Company's franchise network allows the firm and its franchisees to provide several different technology services to customers from under one roof, through its partnerships with leading service organizations in the IT and vertical channels such as telecom resellers and office equipment dealers. The company and its partners deals with 2000 exclusive markets in North America.

"Becoming a Utility Service Provider allows us to enhance our core telecom offerings and expand into other areas like managed network, desktop, security and storage which are 'need to haves' for our customers – we are now their 'single point of contact' for technology and communications," said Telemaxx Inc. president Rodney Williams.

As The Utility Company only contracts its services on a fixed fee per user basis, Telemaxx can now offer customers more stable operations and predictable service delivery and costs, rather than the more unpredictable traditional telecom model that waits for systems to break down before fixing or maintaining them, which could lead to unforeseen costs for customers.

The Utility Company's helpdesk and service centre also help to remotely detect and resolve any issues, resulting in less downtime for customers.

In a separate release, the company also announced several previous wins with two Ontario customers – including an Ottawa company – and also a U.S.-based medical centre.

Ottawa accounting firm Hamel & Co., Municipal Tax Equity Consultants Inc. of Georgetown, Ont., and Georgia-based medical clinic Golden Isles Family Practice have all chosen to use The Utility Company's managed services.