Technology Reseller v39

01732 759725 NEWS : DISTRIBUTORS 10 And the winners are… Westcon celebration Westcon UK&I is celebrating after being named ‘Distribution Partner of the Year’ at security vendor Check Point UK’s annual Partner Awards Gala in recognition of its investment in accreditations across the portfolio and its delivery of strong growth and new partner acquisition. Martin Rutterford, Check Point Head of Managed Channel, said: “As our Distribution Partner of the Year, Westcon delivered fantastic growth and developed their in-house skills across all of our technical silos. Not only that, but our Marketing Rock Star of the Year award went to Westcon’s Sarah Feeney who continuously goes out of her way to create creative campaigns and is an absolute dream to work with.” Previously, Westcon had been named Check Point’s EMEA Distribution Partner of the Year. WestconComstor.com Midwich Group strengthens DACH UC offering Midwich Group has strengthened its unified communications offering in the DACH region with the acquisition of the UC division of eLink Distribution by Group company and AV distributor Kern & Stelly Medientechnik GmbH. The company’s 30 employees and 20 manufacturers will be incorporated into a newly formed UC competence centre at Kern & Stelly, led by eLink founders and directors Roman Klinke and Daniel Ebeling. As well as providing trade customers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland with audio-visual communication and network solutions from manufacturers such as Poly, Lifesize and DTEN, Hamburg-based eLink is the distributor and master agent for Zoom licences in the DACH region. Following the acquisition, existing customers of eLink and Kern & Stelly will have access to the Zoom portfolio, including licences and Zoom recommended hardware. www.midwichgroupplc.com Dell renewals made easy Tech Data is helping partners to maximise Dell renewals opportunities and greatly reduce turnaround times by launching dedicated pages for Dell server, storage and networking product support contracts in the Dell Software Store. The Dell portal, accessed via Tech Data’s InTouch ecommerce platform, enables reseller partners to see all their renewals for the current and next two quarters and contact customers whose support contracts are coming to an end. As prices are pre-approved, partners can provide a quote and place orders immediately. Previously, Dell partners would have had to keep a record of renewal dates and pro- actively request a quote through Tech Data. https://uk.techdata.com/ Datech launches self-service renewals for AutoCAD licences Datech Solutions, a specialist business of Tech Data focused on Autodesk products and services, is introducing a new self-service option, Renew Online, that enables resellers’ end-user customers with a very small number of AutoCAD licences to renew subscriptions online. Partners can use it to drive a series of automated email reminders, highlighting the benefits of the software and reminding them they are due to renew soon. End-user customers are able to update their AutoCAD licences online and pay immediately using a credit card. Damian Hill, Channel Development Manager for Datech Solutions, said: “Many partners have a number of AutoCAD customers who have only one or two licences. By embracing this digital renewal capability to manage the more transactional elements, they can spend more time supporting their customers and helping them to become more successful.” Even if they don’t make use of the Renew Online tool, partners can take advantage of an automated process on the Datech Solutions Portal to keep in touch with their AutoCAD customers. Ready-made templates allow them to personalise emails with logos and signatures. Exertis to offer dedicated support to CI and smart technology providers Exertis has announced a new sales team and online hub to provide companies in the custom installation (CI) and smart technology markets with specialised support and a ‘one-stop shop’ for CI/AV and home automation solutions from major brands like Sonos, Swann, Hive, Devolo and Google Nest. Known informally as Exertis One, the new team will provide expert, professional support to installers, specifiers, consultants, contractors, CEDIA members, independents and smart home specialists, as well as easy access to the latest domestic networking, smart home, CCTV, smart security, audio visual and smart energy products. Caroline Hope, Commercial Director – Consumer, Exertis, said: “We are extremely excited to be launching this support for the smart tech and custom install community. We are bringing together the best brands and solutions to present to this vibrant channel, and our knowledgeable and dedicated team stands ready to assist on all brand and technical enquiries. The reality is that our custom install and smart tech customers will now only need one account manager to be able to access a broad array of experience and complementary iconic brands.” www.exertis.co.uk More than 80 individuals were nominated by colleagues for the inaugural Women in Tech Data Awards set up to celebrate the contributions of female members of staff to the distributor’s success in the UK and Ireland. From these, the panel of four external judges – Louise Matthews, Marketing Director UK and Ireland at VMware; Graeme Watt, CEO of Softcat plc; Julia Bishop, Device Marketing Lead at Microsoft; and Julie Simpson, CEO of ResouceiT Consulting – selected six award winners. They are: n Newcomer Award – Sabrina Gosney, Microsoft business manager n Unsung Hero – Isabelle Moore, PC category manager n Manager of the Year – Casey Phillips, e-commerce manager n Role Model of the Year – Cheryl Melvin, internal sales executive - MSP n Ally of the Year – Andy Brown, technical services director (presented to a colleague of any gender who has supported female colleagues) n Woman of the Year – Linzi Kynaston, category manager, Global Computing Components There were also two Highly Commended awards, for Amanda Glasgow, Marketing and Experiential Lead, and Ann-Marie Hiscox, Internal Communications Manager. The awards are part of Tech Data Elevate, an internal business resource group dedicated to empowering women to thrive in their careers at Tech Data through development, education and networking. www.techdata.com Linzi Kynaston Caroline Hope Damian Hill