HOME INTERVIEW: Holger Knöpke, Deutsche Telekom
Holger Knöpke is head of connected home at Deutsche Telekom and is one of the driving forces behind the company’s QIVICON smart home project. QIVICON is an alliance of companies, initiated by Deutsche Telekom, with the aim of promoting the field of smart home technology and providing solutions for customers on a multi-manufacturer basis. Knöpke gave Channel EMEA some insight on what to expect in the smart home space in the years ahead.
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QIVICON ready to work with European retailers
The European technology retail channel has a pivotal role to play in driving consumer adoption of smart home solutions and delivering installation and support services, according to Thomas Knops, head of marketing at QIVICON. Knops said: “How smart home solutions are sold and consumer awareness is raised is a question that has not been answered yet. QIVICON has spoken to some 30 German retailers recently. They know that they can’t survive just selling flat screen TVs and they understand that smart homes are the future.”
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INTERVIEW: Faraz Ali Khan, Quantum
Fast-growing tablet PC brand Quantum is preparing to scale up its channel reach in Africa in the months ahead. Quantum is Platinum Sponsor of the upcoming DISTREE Africa channel event, which unites ICT and electronics distributors, resellers and retailers from across the continent in in one place at one time. Channel EMEA spoke to Faraz Ali Khan, marketing manager at Quantum to learn more about the brand’s ambitions in Africa.
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DISTREE Africa to deliver powerful exhibitor mix
DISTREE Africa 2014 will unite a broad cross-section of technology and electronics vendors focused on developing and managing both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) channels. Major distributors have also confirmed their participation at DISTREE Africa, using the event as a platform for three days of pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings with senior executives and buyers from the continent’s top resellers and retailers.
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Dimension Data expands in Ghana
IT solutions and service provider Dimension Data has increased its presence in West Africa, opening a new office in Ghana. Dimension Data has been operating in West Africa for a decade with an operation in Nigeria. In addition, Dimension Data has offices in Nigeria through its subsidiary Plessey, and in both Nigeria and Ghana through Internet Solutions.
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Devoteam picks up EMEA award from Google
Consulting and IT services group Devoteam was named EMEA top new partner 2013 by technology giant Google at a recent global partner summit. Devoteam was among more than 400 partners that attended the event in Mountain View, California.
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Also acquires cloud specialist
Distribution giant Also has snapped up Finland-based cloud specialist Nervogrid Oy for an undisclosed sum. Nervogrid Oy specialises in the development of cloud brokerage enablement platforms with which the management of private, public, and hybrid cloud transactions can be automated and efficiently processed. The company will start trading under the name of Also Cloud Oy.
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Tech Data Mobile plans SquareTrade offer
Distribution giant Tech Data Europe has announced plans to team up with mobile device protection plan provider SquareTrade. Tech Data Mobile Solutions would work with SquareTrade to provide Europe-wide device replacement to create a comprehensive, integrated solution for mobile carriers and retailers.
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Bytes SI recognised for partner excellence
South Africa-based systems integrator Bytes has picked up a channel award from networking and communications solution vendor Alcatel-Lucent. Bytes Systems Integration (SI) received an Alcatel-Lucent Excellence partner award EMEA for 2013, recognising the company’s accomplishments as an Alcatel-Lucent partner. Bytes SI won the award based on a number of considerations including sales and services, vendor management, logistics and customer service and marketing.
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Tech Data UK adds 3M privacy filters
Distributor Tech Data UK has added 3M’s range of privacy screen filters to its product portfolio. Tech Data claims that the products will provide resellers and retail customers with a way to meet the growing demand for simple and effective ways to prevent third parties viewing the screens of Apple smartphones, tablets, and PC displays. 3M’s range of privacy filters feature patented micro-louvre technology that blocks the view of a screen to everyone but the user sitting directly in front of it.
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