HOME Mannai makes Microsoft LAR status
Microsoft has strengthened its channel-to-market in Qatar, naming Doha-based Mannai Corporation as a large account reseller (LAR). Achieving LAR status authorises Mannai to offer customers Microsoft ‘enterprise’ and ‘select’licesning agreements and technical support for all of the software giant’s products.
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Comtrade and Hermes Softlab form regional giant
Comtrade Group, one of the largest IT companies in South East Europe, has purchased Slovenian software and IT services powerhouse Hermes Softlab. Unicredit Group provided both debt and equity financing for Comtrade and will become a 21% minority shareholder in the combined entity. The combined group boasts 1,600 employees, annual sales of approximately US$465m and operations in 14 countries.
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Force10 storms into UK channel
High performance player Force10 has stormed into the UK channel with the appointment of Zycko as the company’s first in-country distributor. Force 10 Networks claims that its high performance networks fit perfectly into Zycko’s open-standard solutions strategy.
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Avnet starts Belgian hub expansion
Global distribution and services giant Avnet has started work on a 10,000 square metre expansion of its central distribution centre in Tongeren, Belgium. The centre houses a pan-European distribution and logistics operation. It also includes an integration centre, primarily serving Avnet Technology Solutions (ATS) customers in EMEA. The extension at Tongeren will take the area of the facility to 34,000 square metres – equivalent to approximately five football pitches.
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Emerging markets distribution powerhouse Asbis has established a presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Asbis has snapped up an 80% stake in local distribution outfit Megatrend Sarajevo. Megatrend has been operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina for more than a decade, distributing a number of A-brand vendors including HP, IBM, Lenovo, Apple and Toshiba. Asbis hopes that its sales in Bosnia and Herzegovina will hit US$20m in 2009.
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Cisco jumpstarts Jordanian channel
Networking behemoth Cisco has given Jordan’s reseller community a push in the right direction in terms of training and certification. Cisco has conducted training and certification sessions with Jordanian partners aimed at enhancing partner skills. During the sessions, resellers got the lowdown on Cisco select certification.
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InVision Software has restructured its indirect sales operation and created a dedicated channel and alliance management division. InVision, which provides enterprise-wide workforce management solutions, will concentrate on channel expansion with an initial focus in the EMEA region.
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Packet Design has appointed FVC as a value-added distributor (VAD) for the Middle East and North Africa region. Under the terms of the agreement FVC will distribute and support Packet Design’s IP routing and traffic solutions through its network of authorised channel partners in the region.
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Dell appoints volume distributor in South Africa
Hardware giant Dell has named Drive Control (DCC) as its first volume distributor in South Africa. Both Dell and DCC are confident that the deal will allow the vendor to grab greater market share in South Africa. Despite the volume distribution agreement with DCC, Dell will continue to work with Tecchnogistics as an in-country logistics partner.
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Ingram Micro plans EMEA restructuring
Global distribution behemoth Ingram Micro is planning to restructure its EMEA operations, with a focus on the regional headquarters. The announcement came as Ingram reported first quarter 2008 worldwide sales of US$8.58 billion – a 4% year-on-year rise. After-tax profits hit US$64.1m – a margin of just 0.75%.
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