Jola Cloud Solutions' Blog

Having a supplier you trust, who understands the market and provides live examples, gives the customer confidence.

Jola has over 1500 partners selling mobile data solutions to vertical markets such as retail, transport and logistics, security and the public sector. We have SIMs in digital signs, ticketing systems, CCTV cameras, ANPR cameras, alarm systems and tracking and recording devices.

Resellers can significantly build traction in a specific vertical market by creating case studies illustrating how they have resolved issues within that sector. You will appear more credible and achieve greater success in a vertical market when you can discuss how you have assisted others in that area.

Retail

Supermarkets, clothes shops and bus and train stations are investing in digital signage solutions. Digital advertising boards require 24/7, reliable connectivity that can be rapidly deployed. Typically the advertising screens belong to a third party who needs a mobile broadband solution they control and manage across multiple sites.

Security

Security specialists are investing in mobile broadband in rural locations, where 4G/5G speeds are fast and fixed-line services are slow. 4G CCTV is growing in popularity, as it doesn’t require direct power or a WiFi connection. 

4G/5G CCTV

Data SIMs with static IP addresses within 4G or 5G routers allow users to access their CCTV camera footage when fixed-line connectivity is unavailable. An external antenna can increase signal strength and routers are generally pre-configured for a plug-and-play solution, that works in every location.

Security specialists require access to a wide range of cost-effective, large data packages on short-term contracts. They need a supplier to send out SIMs and pre-configured devices on time, with a portal they can manage their entire SIM estate.

5G

Significant progress has been made with 5G. We’ve seen the 5G footprint improve across all networks. EE, O2, and Vodafone have also deployed 5G standalone in the last 12 months.

Standalone 5G delivers on the full promise of 5G with lower latency, higher data speeds, better efficiency, improved reliability and support for large-scale IoT.

2025 will continue to see both the 5G footprint and 5G capabilities improve.  2025 will also see the merger of Three UK and Vodafone, which should provide improvements for customers of both networks.

The PSTN Switch-Off

The PSTN switch-off will have a huge impact on the channel. For Jola, it has been the underlying reason for the majority of the growth we’ve experienced over the last 12 months. This compelling event leads businesses to reevaluate how they use telecom services to meet their business needs.  The conclusion in many cases has been that 4G and 5G services can do more for less without the complex or time-consuming installation of replacement fixed lines.

Satellite Connectivity

Satellite has the potential to have a significant impact on the channel.  Most resellers will be familiar with the need to deliver solutions to multi-branch businesses.  These businesses could be offices, retail locations, petrol forecourts, schools, EV charging stations, etc.  The reality is that a single operator is unlikely to be able to deliver the right service, on time and budget, to all these locations.  5G and satellite are an ideal solution to be installed rapidly and provide fibre-like performance, either as a precursor to fibre being installed or as the permanent solution.

We recently worked on a large retail rollout where satellite was chosen as the standard delivery mechanism and alternatives chosen only where satellite couldn’t be installed due to landlord restrictions.

Jola celebrates its 11^th birthday with a solid financial performance and a range of cost-effective innovative solutions to common problems.

We now have over 1500 partners selling unique mobile data solutions, earning healthy recurring margins and increasing the value of their companies with happy customers. Our ability to innovate, automate and help partners identify, qualify and win significant deals from mobile networks is part of our success story. The other is the fantastic relationships we have with our suppliers, partners and exceptional team.

We help partners solve common problems such as roll-out complexity with pre-configured, plug-and-play intelligent routers from Teltonika and Robustel and network resilience with reliable multi-network QR eSIM solutions at the best possible pricing.

The channel thrives on technological change and compelling events like the PSTN switch-off. To help partners capitalise on this, Jola developed a PSTN Replacement Toolkit with battery back-up providing partners with 4G/5G solutions to replace PSTN lines. Combined with their Device as a Service proposition, Jola partners do not need to pay any upfront costs and benefit from hardware replacement and upgrade options.

Adrian Sunderland, CEO of Jola commented, “Our mission is to serve the channel providing solutions for every mobile data requirement globally. We strive to make unique solutions you can’t buy from anyone else and make them easy to sell, provision, support and bill. We enjoy working with partners on new and innovative solutions to common problems using the latest technologies. When we look back at what we have achieved over the last eleven years it is quite phenomenal, we started with nothing but enthusiasm, a belief in each other and a passion for the channel. We are working hard to achieve our next growth milestone.”

Jola is delighted to be a founding member of The Big Goal, an initiative dedicated to addressing youth homelessness through the transformative power of football.

The Street Soccer Foundation is tackling youth homelessness with the support of clubs across The Premier League and English Football League (EFL) by equipping individuals with the skills and support they need for a brighter future.

The Big Goal Initiative is known for its holistic approach to youth development, aligning with Jola's commitment to fostering positive change and well-being. By supporting this initiative, Jola aims to make a lasting impact on the lives of young people.

Cherie Howlett, CMO Jola, commented “We got involved with this charity because it is a great cause. By supporting the Big Goal Initiative, we support vulnerable young people in our community, who may one day work in the industry. This initiative focuses on imparting valuable skills and is changing lives for the better.”

For more information on The Big Goal and to pledge your support, please visit www.thebiggoal.co.uk

Why get involved? 

High Demand

With technologies being switched off (PSTN, ISDN, 3G) and the current economic climate, demand for cost-effective, managed mobile data solutions from the channel, has never been so high. We are seeing an exponential rise in demand for SIMs not only for use in 5G/4G routers, pre-Ethernet connectivity and Ethernet back-up but also for digital signage, monitoring and smart devices.  Resellers, manufacturers and service companies are finding new uses for mobile data daily and, as we accelerate towards 5G, this is unlikely to slow down.

Quick-win Opportunities

Public Sector

The NHS has rolled out iPads to ambulance crews all over the UK recently. The iPads will help them access medical records to help inform their course of action. MSPs have found that partnering with aggregators offering multi-network services and a management portal gives them so much more control and removes the headache of dealing with multiple carriers and manual requests for changes.

Retail

AV Specialists are ordering complete, secure connectivity packages for digital signage, to arrive plug-and-play to each site and consisting of an intelligent 4G router, a SIM and some clever configurations to prevent hackers from accessing the signs. Devices arrived pre-configured with an app, allowing auto-configuration, saving time and money.

Transport and Logistics

Specialists are novating SIMs on various tariffs and price plans with their Private APN for bus and coach companies for cashless ticketing systems and WiFi. End-users can manage data usage directly on their management portal.

Tracking and Monitoring

MSPs are helping property owners and developers to monitor carbon levels. They have created solutions to monitor energy consumption across many different devices within the home. Their devices need 4G to report usage information and for general maintenance of the equipment.

Suppliers that can help resellers target opportunities they can win are crucial. Solutions need to be easy to sell, roll out and manage. Jola has a tried and tested six-step process called the Mobile-data Revenue Generator™ to help partners win their first deal. 

Join our webinar and win more opportunities

According to McKinsey, revenues from mobile data are set to increase dramatically over the next five years due to the availability, speed and reliability of 4G, 5G and IoT. Statista forecasts that there will be over 25.4 billion IoT devices worldwide in 2030. Fortune Business Insights predicts this market will be worth £1085bn by 2027. 

Mobile data is an attractive line of business for the channel to pivot into, with high demand and good margin potential. Adrian Sunderland, Jola’s CEO hosts a webinar for MSPs and resellers looking to do just that. The webinar takes place on 29^th April at 10.00hrs and you can book your place using this link: https://www.anymeeting.com/PIID=E952D782814D3E6F

Adrian will share the secrets of Jola’s success with mobile data and the opportunities the channel is winning. Using case studies, Adrian will explain the mobile data opportunity and how high ARPUs and good margins can be achieved. He will help the audience uncover opportunities within their customer bases. He will explain how mobile data can only be successfully scaled with a supplier who can deliver unique and differentiated solutions, managed in a fully-automated, real-time portal.

“We are hosting this webinar for channel partners looking to grow their business by winning new lucrative opportunities. Adrian has a wealth of experience working with channel partners, to create innovative solutions to common problems. We were the first channel-only mobile data aggregator, the first to launch a fully automated real-time portal to manage global SIMs from multiple suppliers and the first to launch game-changing mobile data solutions you can’t buy from the MNOs directly. To find out more, join our webinar.” Cherie Howlett, CMO, Jola.

Jola has helped over 1500 partners win new opportunities by solving common problems with unique mobile data solutions. Building and retaining trust is a key element of their success. Partners need full control of their solutions, so having real-time fully automated portals allowing direct control over live orders is welcomed.

Jola’s MRG™ programme takes partners through a tried-and-tested process to help them close their first deal and build recurring revenues, avoiding common pitfalls. The Rev Up programme rewards success and has had a huge take-up from partners.

Partners work with Jola to help identify and qualify opportunities from within their customer bases. They invite account managers and pre-sales engineers to customer meetings to understand challenges and propose solutions. Jola has extensive vertical market experience which provides peace of mind for customers with references and case studies in their fields.

"Our mission is to serve the channel providing solutions for every mobile data requirement globally. We strive to make solutions you can't buy from anyone else and ensure they are reliable, easy to sell, provision, support and bill. We enjoy working with partners on new and innovative solutions to common problems using the latest technologies." Cherie Howlett, CMO, Jola.

The Challenges

One of the biggest challenges is integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) into business strategy. If you aim to increase EBITDA and sell your company for the highest multiple, how does ESG align with this? The second challenge is measuring success, and the third is often resources. Companies with ESG initiatives that support the overall business strategy are more likely to invest in them, support them, and measure their success.

The Standards

Looking at key metrics can be helpful when developing an ESG strategy to understand a starting point, what success looks like and how to get there.

Carbon emissions, energy consumption, waste production, and water usage can serve as valuable metrics, alongside employee satisfaction, community involvement, and regulatory compliance. Having the right KPIs, motivations and measurements is key to success.

The Risks

Like any new initiative if the ESG strategy does not align with business strategy and corporate values, if it is not properly resourced, measured, monitored and reported on, it may fail. Without proper communication and engagement, it can fail miserably.

The Benefits

Building a successful team that can deliver growth is crucial for any company in the channel. Finding, training, and retaining the right people who can understand and exceed your partners' expectations is challenging, but when achieved, it becomes difficult to replicate. Loyalty is fostered by creating an engaging and financially rewarding environment for learning and acquiring key skills that are invaluable to our partners.

Successful partnerships are built on trust, transparency, and mutual respect. Choosing the right supplier will tick all the boxes for resellers and MSPs to move quickly into selling new solutions. Leading wholesale suppliers give channel partners the tools and the propositions to uncover and win deals, usually competing against strong competition.

What do resellers need?

Resellers need wholesale relationships they can rely on to help them grow their business and embrace new opportunities. When looking to benefit from compelling events, such as the PSTN or 3G Switch-off, resellers look for partnerships which offer a ‘one-stop-shop’ for everything they need to find and win deals. They look for relationships with suppliers that go the extra mile to support business growth and make buying from them easy, with excellent account managers, differentiated and competitive propositions and real-time management portals.

Right supplier

Successful channel suppliers are often highly innovative, with a constant stream of relevant solutions that other companies would take years to develop and launch. When you partner with the right supplier, solutions are typically easy to sell, support and bill.

Partner Programmes

Does your supplier have a programme to help you uncover and win new opportunities? Do they offer regular webinars to communicate the latest opportunities and new differentiated solutions to solve common problems? Jola has the MRG™, a six-step programme which has been successful in helping partners build recurring revenue from unique and differentiated mobile data solutions.

Technology

Technology plays a critical role in improving communication and collaboration. Automated ordering and management platforms allow for easy provisioning, monitoring, and control of customer assets giving resellers control over their margins and solutions.

New Opportunities

Demand for M2M and IoT solutions is growing particularly in retail, logistics, and healthcare. With businesses increasingly relying on mobile data connectivity, there are opportunities for mobile data solutions in smart kiosks, tracking devices and wearable monitoring devices cameras to name but a few.

The channel educates businesses to adopt new technologies and find smarter ways to solve problems. It is our responsibility to highlight products being switched off, such as 3G and PSTN, to help companies prepare, with improved, more cost-effective solutions.

Improving online security is becoming more of a priority with Denial-of-Service attacks on the increase. Jola has been running Fixed IP traffic over Cloudflare for many years protecting connected devices from attacks.