technologyreseller.co.uk 07 NEWS : DISTRIBUTORS Westcon-Comstor embarks on second wave of partner engagement with new multi-vendor marketplace Sonepar to roll out €1 billion digital transformation initiative Sonepar, the global B2B distributor of electrical products, solutions and services, has selected Microsoft, Publicis Sapient and Hitachi Solutions to deliver its €1 billion five-year digital transformation initiative. The main focus of the programme will be Spark, a synchronised omnichannel platform powered by Microsoft Azure and Dynamics 365 (implemented by Hitachi Solutions) that Sonepar is introducing for its customers and 44,000 associates in 40 countries. Sonepar Chief Transformation Officer Jérémie Profeta said: “Sonepar is transforming the relationship between customers and its associates, between the digital and the physical by orchestrating through its omni-channel platform a constant dialogue to deliver the perfect order.” Embracing all touchpoints – web, phone, mobile app, branches, systems-tosystems and delivery – Spark is designed to make it easier for customers and associates to interact, to do business, to buy, to return and to arrange financing. As customers and team members begin using Spark, data from every transaction will be collected into a single location, the Sonepar Data Lake, which will provide valuable insight into trends and also help automate processes such as inventory-taking and logistics. Sonepar’s digital transformation is being supported by Publicis Sapient, the digital business transformation hub of Publicis Group. An independent family-owned company, Sonepar had sales of €32.4 billion in 2022. www.Sonepar.Com TD SYNNEX signals ESG focus with Microsoft Partner Pledge TD SYNNEX UK and Ireland has joined the Microsoft Partner Pledge to grow talent, enhance diversity and inclusion and shape a desirable world. Simon Bennett, who heads the TD SYNNEX Cloud Solutions specialist business unit in the UK, said: “We have a close alignment with the aims and the spirit of the Partner Pledge. Like Microsoft, we are committed to moving as quickly as we can towards net zero, to look after our people and our partners and to do whatever we can to make the world a better place. Those may sound like lofty ambitions, but if we all do enough to make positive changes, our industry can make a real difference.” In addition to its sustainability efforts (see overleaf), TD SYNNEX UK and Ireland was a founder member of the Technology Community for Racial Equality (TC4RE) and has set up four business resource groups (BRGs) to encourage DEI, including a new Limitless BRG, which provides a safe environment where co-workers with disabilities and neurodiversity of all kinds can openly discuss their experiences and concerns. https://partner.microsoft.com/en-gb/ connect/local/uk-partner/partner-pledge. Edinburgh experience centre opened by Midwich Midwich has opened a 1,200 square foot experience and demonstration facility in Edinburgh, Scotland. The AV Hub on Lochside Way provides a showcase for AV, unified communications and collaboration (UC&C), security and broadcast solutions from 15 manufacturers and includes on-site training, testing and demonstration facilities. Midwich Account Director Russell Taylor said: “I am thrilled to launch Midwich’s AV Hub in Edinburgh. Following the success of Innovation House, we wanted to bring the concept to Scotland and provide a destination for vendors, resellers, consultants and end-users to come together to experience exciting technology that is a little closer to home.” https://www.midwich.com/campaign/ av-hub/ Rakesh Parbhoo Jérémie Profeta Simon Bennett Westcon-Comstor, the technology provider and specialist distributor, is transforming its interactions with partners and accelerating their move to cloud and ‘as-a-service’ models with the launch of a multivendor marketplace through which partners can configure, quote and order complex hybrid solutions involving software, hardware and services or a combination of all three. As well as streamlining the procurement of products and services, PartnerCentral gives Westcon-Comstor partners access to the business/customer insights they need to capitalise on new opportunities, plus educational resources and digital tools. Rakesh Parbhoo, CTO of WestconComstor, said: “With PartnerCentral, we’re building on the business transformation journey we have been on for the last five years, shifting to the second wave of a more automated, digital engagement. In doing this we are giving our partners the support they need to evolve their offerings at the right time and at the right pace. We need to give them the tools to succeed and ensure they have access to the data and educational resources they need to serve their customers in a changing market.” Key benefits include: n Simpler procurement and management of recurring subscription and as-a-service offers at scale; n A single platform for hybrid procurement, including hardware, software and services, with a mix of subscriptions and one-off purchases; n Self-service for procurement, user management, cloud usage and more via one intuitive interface; n Automated pricing, quoting and ordering processes, for improved accuracy, shorter sales cycles and easy order-tracking; n Access to Partner Insights, including descriptive analytics to help spot new opportunities, understand customer/ industry trends and proactively manage product renewals and subscriptions; and n Educational tools and materials to give partners the best understanding of the solutions they provide and how to market them. Early adopter Geof Robinson, Chief Technology Officer at Telesmart Ltd in New Zealand, said: “Using PartnerCentral has been transformative. We’ve significantly streamlined our engagement with key suppliers and simplified our sale-to-order process. Rather than the typical three-tofour days to complete, our deals are now closed in a single day. It’s truly a great customer experience.” WestconComstor.com
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