HOME 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.
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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.
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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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Mobile phone distribution and retail giant i2 had officially opened a new office in Johannesburg, South Africa, as the company sets its sights on rapid expansion in the Sub-Saharan region. The new regional office will oversee i2 activities in Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Angola, Reunion and Senegal. i2 plans to aggressively ramp up the number of retail outlets it has in the Sub-Saharan region.
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i2 breaks US$2bn sales barrier
Mobile phone distribution giant i2 has revealed that its gross sales hit US$2bn in 2007. i2, which has distribution and retail operations across the Middle East and Africa, doubled the number of Nokia handsets it sold year-on-year to 12.3 million in 2007 as gross sales rocketed 43%.
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LS2 Corporation has named Rajiv Srivastava as the new general manager of its IT distribution arm, LS2 Derinton. Srivastava brings more than two decades of sales, marketing, product and retail management to his new post. LS2 Derinton is focused on the distribution of Acer kit through retail channels in the Middle East and channel development in Africa. In his new role, Srivastava will assume responsibility for the development of the company’s strategy and business development across the region.
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Rectron signs up Samsung and Epson
South African channel giant Rectron has expanded its vendor portfolio, signing a deal with Samsung to distribute the vendor giant’s complete range of mono and colour laser printers and consumables across the country. Rectron has also struck a new distribution agreement with Epson. The deals come just weeks after HP and Rectron ended a printer distribution agreement.
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MGM.it targets Middle East retailers
MGM.it Store Solutions will look to extend its relationships with major Middle East retailers when it attends this year’s Digital Consumer Channel (DCC) Middle East and Africa (MEA) event. The Italian store design specialist will showcase its complete range of services and products at the event.
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NEC picks Mustek for South African VAD role
NEC has appointed Mustek as a value-added distributor of its server, data storage and networking products as well as its corporate solutions. Johan Degroote, VP EMEA at NEC has declared that Mustek will provide NEC solutions including delivery and support services.
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Cisco addresses MEA channel skills shortage
Networking giant Cisco has unveiled a new partner talent portal for the emerging markets of Africa and the Middle East. The new portal links channel partners in the region with local Cisco Networking Academy graduates. Cisco channel partners can browse through the CV and profile of the graduates on the new portal.
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