HOME Emerging markets distribution powerhouse Asbis has accelerated its international expansion with the launch of a new sales office in Latvia, boosting the company’s presence in the Baltic markets. Asbis Latvia will supply a wide range of IT products from a number of world class vendors to the local reseller community from its new sales office.
Read full story
Sybase signs up KASP in Kuwait
Enterprise and mobility solutions provider Sybase has struck a partnership with Kuwait Application Service Provider (KASP) – a Kuwait-based IT solutions outfit offering consultancy and business intelligence solutions. Under the terms of the deal, KASP will take on a major role promoting Sybase IQ solutions in the Kuwaiti market.
Read full story
Rocom picks up UK Ericsson deal
Distribution outfit Rocom, part of the AT Communications (ATC) Group, has secured a deal with Ericsson to act as UK master distributor for the vendor’s voice, data and mobility applications for small, medium and large enterprises. ATC reckons that the deal will deliver several million pounds of additional sales for the group with ATC’s Servassure division providing ongoing maintenance on the Ericsson kit sold.
Read full story
Microsoft tackles South African pirates
Software giant Microsoft has cracked down on South African dealers selling counterfeit and illegal software. Microsoft has reached settlements worth tens of thousands of US dollars with 21 local computer dealers. The 21 dealers, based in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and Pretoria and a number of smaller regional locations, were found to be selling computers loaded with unlicensed Microsoft software.
Read full story
Vendors run channel programmes, not value-added distributors (VADs). South African VAD SecureData Security begs to differ from this conventional channel wisdom and has whipped the covers off its own channel scheme called the enterprise security partner programme – abbreviated to ESP². The new programme aims to reward the VAD’s enterprise security channel partners for focus and commitment.
Read full story
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.
Read full story
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.
Read full story
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.
Read full story
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.
Read full story
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.
Read full story
