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French gadget and Bluetooth-enabled toys vendor BeeWi has added UK channel reach, signing Entatech as a distribution partner. Specialising in toys that utilise Bluetooth technology, BeeWi’s range of products can be operated through a smartphone or tablet device. With retro and modern remote control toys, including the Mini Cooper and Fiat 500 cars plus helicopters, the range is perfect for both big and little kids.
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Dixons to offload Electroworld and Pixmania
Retail giant Dixons has announced a deal to sell its Turkish ElectroWorld operations to in-country electrical retailer Bimeks, with the deal expected to bring in £2m (US$3.12m) cash to Dixons over the next two years. Dixons has also received an irrevocable offer from Mutares AG, a German listed industrial holding company, to buy France-based e-tailer business Pixmania.
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Jabra extends Ingram Micro agreement
Jabra Business Solutions has extended its distribution deal with Ingram Micro across Europe. The two companies reckon that the deal will open up new market opportunities for VARs. Ingram Micro will offer Jabra headsets and speakerphone solutions to its European customer base. The agreement expands the offering of Ingram Micro’s VAD unit, which aims to provide resellers with the opportunity to grow the unified communications (UC) category.
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Tech Data Europe on board for Microsoft devices
Distribution giant Tech Data Europe has confirmed its participation in the Microsoft devices programme. The agreement will see Tech Data push Microsoft Surface Pro and Surface RT devices to commercial channel customers. Microsoft hopes that its devices programme will encourage channel partners to resell Surface devices to business customers of all sizes. Tech Data will supply Surface products to Microsoft authorised device resellers (ADRs) across Europe.
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Insight to push Surface in Europe
Reseller giant Insight has announced its involvement in the Microsoft device programme. Insight’s European unit will resell Microsoft Surface Pro and Surface RT to commercial customers. Insight reckons it is well placed to help Microsoft grow market share for Surface.The goal of the Microsoft Devices Program is to serve customers by activating Microsoft’s channel of partners to resell its devices to organisations of all sizes, from the classroom to the boardroom.
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Currys & PC World launches same day delivery service
UK retail giant Currys & PC World, part of the Dixons Retail group, has whipped the covers off a super-fast same day delivery service for customers in some parts of the UK. A same day delivery service will be introduced for orders placed before 9:30am, with delivery to the customers between 6:30pm and 10:00pm. The same day delivery service will cost £14.99 (US$23) and will initially be available in London and select postcodes. Short-term plans are in place to expand the service availability to additional areas.
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Kelway completes Equanet integration
UK-based ICT solutions and services outfit Kelway has completed the integration of the Equanet business, which it purchased from retail giant Dixons (DSGi) in April 2013. Services and solutions previously delivered by Equanet will now fall entirely under the Kelway brand. Kelway has also opened a new Northern UK headquarters in Manchester and launched a new Kelway.com website.
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Citrix appoints Arrow as pan-European distributor
Cloud computing solutions supplier Citrix has appointed Arrow Electronics as its first pan-European distribution partner. Citrix hopes that the move will further expand the European channel for its software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution portfolio.
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European distribution giant Also Holding has announced the resignation of Alfons Frenk from the company’s board of directors. Frenk, who joined the board in February 2011, will step down for private reasons with immediate effect. In a statement announcing his departure, Also’s board expressed its regret at Frenk’s decision and thanked him for his commitment to the company.
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Dutch authorities give Atomblock deal green light
The Netherlands Competition Authority has approved distribution giant Also-Acetbis’ purchase of electronic software distribution (ESD) and point of sales activation (POSA) outfit Atomblock. The unconditional approval for the deal comes after standard antitrust investigations. Atomblock will change its name to Also Digital and become a subsidiary of Also-Actebis.
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