Tag: Distribution

Boston signs distie deal with Mellanox

Posted on August 14, 2013 by - News

bostonskylineBoston Limited has just signed a distribution deal with Mellanox Technologies to sell the latter’s Infiniband and Ethernet Interconnect kit, as well as rigging it up with Boston’s own server and storage tech.

Boston hopes the contract will help its growth and development in offering high performance server and storage, especially as enterprises are after scalable options running with high performance and efficiencies.

Mellanox increases efficiency, the company says, by offering the highest throughput with the lowest latency to deliver data, quick, as well as using a system to the best of its capabilities. Interconnects like adapters, switches, software and silicon will all be on offer to optimise HPC, enterprise data, cloud, storage and financial services.

Mellanox’s Darrin Chen said adding Boston Limited as a distie partner will help the company “better address customers looking to achieve their performance”.

“Across EMEA, organisations are increasingly demanding new systems with the scalable and high performance interconnect products to increase application performance and business productivity,” Chen said.

The Mellanox products are available to buy from Boston now.

Warehouse space in demand

Posted on July 11, 2013 by - News

castlewarehouseAlthough growth remains slow, demand for new warehouses and distribution facilities in London and other economic hubs remains surprisingly strong.

According to Colliers International, demand is being fueled by anxiety on the part of some institutional investors, who are worried about the future of multifamily markets.

In addition to London, space in other centers with access to good infrastructure, ports and inland distribution centers is also at a premium. Munich is big, thanks to the strong performance of German car makers.

Erik Barnekow, head of EMEA Industrial and Logistics at Colliers said Hong Kong and Sydney are nearing full capacity. Seoul is also big, but it is experiencing uneven industrial demand. Demand is expected to stay strong through the end of the year, with a special emphasis on build-to-suit facilities.

Colliers points out that the recovery of the European logistics market remains patchy, reflecting a lack of momentum in the retail trade.

Although demand in London is strong, the number of modern facilities is limited and there aren’t many new investments. The report found that modern shed space in Greater London is now “severely limited” with only very modest levels of new supply anticipated over the next 18 months.

The Heathrow zone has seen practically no new speculative development over the past four years, which is a direct consequence of the volatile economic climate. It is no better in South, East or West London and there is very little grade A stock available.

However, a few new build-to-suites were constructed over the last 12 months, but vacancy levels are low and there is still a huge shortage of new space coming to market.

Avnet exits MEA market

Posted on June 4, 2013 by - News

avnettsAvnet has confirmed that it’s pulling its operations in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region.

The distie has said that it made the decision after a review of the business concluded that it was  “unlikely to make the necessary returns needed to meet [its] strategic goals in the short- or mid-term.”

In a statement the company said the that the “difficult” decision would not impact the computer components and integrated solutions business which continue to support key partners in the region.

However it pointed out that it had to make the moves and take the action to realign resources from underperforming businesses to areas that can deliver strong performance for Avnet, its suppliers and partners.

Avnet also claimed its immediate priorities were to ensure that it provided the necessary support to its employees throughout this process and to fully assist its supplier and business partners as we manage our exit from this market.

“Our decision to exit this region will have no impact on the independently operating Avnet Electronics Marketing business in the region, specifically South Africa and Israel,” the statement said.

Ingram Micro signs Jabra deal Down Under

Posted on June 3, 2013 by - News

IMIngram Micro has had gained another client Down Under, signing on the dotted line with communications company Jabra.

As part of the partnership Ingram Micro will be responsible for distributing the company’s range of call centre and office products within the Australian and New Zealand market.

This includes the recently launched Jabra Motion, which is designed to suit mobile workers with an everyday need for audio conferencing or hands-free calls, in the car or at home using smart devices.

Jabra says that Asia-Pacific is one of its fastest growing markets for unified communications products. It said it was critical for it to establish strong relationships with distributors across A/NZ that could add significant value to its proposition.

The company believes that its collaboration with Ingram Micro will also be beneficial in reaching a larger reseller database and in particular Cisco channels.

The company has also extended its support to its partner network with a launch of the Jabra Business Tool, an iPad sales app, which provides information on Jabra’s business services.

Ingram Micro does a deal with Samsung Mobile

Posted on May 29, 2013 by - News

IMIngram Micro has rung up another deal in the mobile market.

The distie’s Mobility arm has announced that it will carry and sell  Samsung Mobile smartphone and tablet accessory products in the States, which it claims will continue its strategy to become a firm player in the mobile market.

The company will offer Samsung Mobile’s accessory portfolio for the Galaxy S, Galaxy Note and Galaxy Tab family of products. This includes traditional mobile accessories such as flip covers, protective covers, travel and vehicle chargers, portable battery packs and Bluetooth headsets.

Bashar Nejdawi, president, Ingram Micro Mobility North America said mobility was one of the disties “key platforms for growth and expanded profitability.”

The accessories will be available through Ingram Micro Mobility’s network of small-to-medium businesses, business-to-business and enterprise channels, as well as consumer and retail-focused indirect carrier dealer agents.

In addition, Ingram Micro Mobility has said it will initiate marketing efforts including sales rep training and product education as well as direct marketing initiatives to the VAR and indirect dealer channels, to further drive sales through Samsung authorised resellers.

VIP and Gunnar sign distie deal

Posted on May 14, 2013 by - News

VIPVIP Computers has expanded its accessories range.

The distie has signed on the dotted line with Gunnar Optiks, a manufacturer of computer performance eyewear.

The deal, which will cover the UK market, comes after the company expanded its distribution in France, Mexico and Cambodia and is part of an overall strategy to address the increasing global demand for technology eyewear.

Gunnar’s Advanced Gaming eyewear promises  to offer increased contrast for great visual accuracy, enhanced detail, reduction in glare, improved visual endurance for extended gaming sessions, and decreased amount of eye fatigue and dry eyes.

They are also designed for PC users who wear glasses and are claimed to help prevent eyes from getting tired, drying out and headaches, as they block out the blue light emitted by computer screens.

Duncan McAuley, Purchasing Director for VIP Computers said he was “delighted” to have the new client on board, while Gunnar was equally complimentary claiming it was “proud” of the partnership. That is nothing new.

Raise your glasses everyone…

Avnet sales grew by 0.3 percent

Posted on April 25, 2013 by - News

hamadaGlobal distributor Avnet has released its third quarter results and compared to the same third quarter last year, sales are as flat as a pancake.

To March 30, 2013, sales amount to $6,298.7, up only 0.3 percent compared to the same quarter last year.

Gross profit margin of 12 percent was also essentially flat.

Rick Hamada, CEO of Avnet, said the quarter met the company’s expectations and were in line with normal seasonal patters. “We continue to navigate through an ongoing uneven economic recovery,” he said.

Both the company’s operating groups showed year over year “organic revenue declines”.  As a result, Avnet will contnue to cut costs and imprpve its margin.  Cost reductions for its entire financial year will be arund $140 million.

Performance in its Avnet Electronics group fluctuated wildly, with the Americas showing a minus 9.6 percent growth rate, while Asia growthrate amounted to 14.1 percent. The EMEA division showed a growth rate of only 0.8 percent.

Huawei expands into Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq

Posted on March 26, 2013 by - News

huawei-liveHuawei is moving to make money in war torn countries.

The Chinese behemoth has appointed  regional value added IT distie Optimus to distribute its enterprise product range for networking, unified communications and security.

Under the deal Optimus will aim to grow Huawei’s channel network across Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq where it will also undertake regular marketing and channel development activities to help increase the vendor’s market share and reach in the region.

Meera Kaul, managing director of Optimus Technology and Telecommunications said the partnership was “very important” and would help it offer customers a “omplete range of technology.”

She added that the company also planned to take Huawei’s enterprise products including  cloud computing, enterprise networking and wireless, as well as Unified Communication & Collaboration (UC&C), video conference and telepresence products, and partner them with
other vendors.

Optimus also claims it will promote this product range through focused channel development activities, which include training, certifications, skills development and consultancy services to help them sell the productsbetter.

“Over the last few years, our Enterprise Business division has been investing heavily in developing our Middle East customer base,” said Dong Wu, vice president, Huawei, Enterprise Business, Middle East.

He added Huawei would continue to invest in training, motivating and incentivising partners.

TNT delivers job cuts to 4,000 staff

Posted on March 25, 2013 by - News

tntTNT Express has said it will be driving away around 4000 staff within the next three years as it struggles to get back on its feet.

In a strategic memo released today, the Dutch delivery group, which was the target of a failed $7 billion takeover by United Parcel Service, has said the cuts, which will affect around six percent of its workforce, will save it around $287 million (€220 million) by 2015.

The company added that it would also be restructuring the business, which it hoped would knock another $195 million  (€150 million) by 2015.

The plans fall under the company’s “Deliver” strategy, which aims to help it turn its business around and rake in profits by 2015. Currently the company is failing on the money front, as a result of “challenging trading conditions and continuing price pressure”.

As well as the cuts and restructuring, the company has also said it will focus around reshaping the TNT  portfolio through the sale of China and Brazil Domestic and reducing exposure to fixed intercontinental air capacity. It will also look at focusing on TNT Express’ distinctive service proposition and increasing growth in its most profitable segments and invest in infrastructure and in business supporting and customer IT.

Commenting on the Deliver programme, Bernard Bot, interim CEO said the business faced difficult market conditions and strategic challenges. However he pointed out it had a “unique competitive proposition” – an unrivalled European network, worldwide connections, an integrated range of services and recognised dedication to customers.

However, he warned the strategy had to be executed correctly to ensure results.

Ingram Micro creates new business unit

Posted on February 25, 2013 by - News

IMIngram Micro has merged its recent BrightPoint purchase to make a new business unit in the company.

The distie announced at Mobile World Congress that it had created Ingram Micro Mobility, which had been made up of its existing mobile group and BrightPoint, which it bought in October last year.

It claimed the new division will give customers more options as a result of the combined capabilities and reach of both companies.

Ingram Micro Mobility is said to offers a complete end-to-end service for the lifecycle of mobile devices – moving mobile products from manufacturing, providing customisation services, fulfilling through all channels, managing transportation and logistics, and providing complete integrated reverse and recover services.

It claimed the services would also support moving and selling mobility products through markets across the globe with a single partner.

Ingram Micro Mobility vendors are also claimed to be given better benefits and services through the new division as they can apparently further optimise their supply chains with BrightPoint’s experience in device lifecycle services.

BrightPoint product vendors also get advantages with claims that they can gain access to new selling channels as BrightPoint’s product portfolio is cross-sold into Ingram Micro’s sales channels.

The distie will also target new markets including Vietnam, Philippines, South Africa, China, Hong Kong, France, Latin America and Canada, which can access Ingram Micro’s and BrightPoint’s joint capabilities.