Print.IT Reseller - issue 78

BULLETIN BOSS charity launches grants As part of the BOSS Industry Recognition Awards, the BOSS Business Supplies Charity has allocated £10k to be put towards future fund grants to help support individuals looking to progress their career in the business supplies industry. These grants, of up to £750, per person are available to up and coming individuals who work, or have recently worked, in the business supplies industry who may need financial support for professional development to further their careers at this time. Grants should be used to help develop the recipient’s skillset so they can further their careers within the sector. BOSS CEO Amy Hutchinson, said: “It is important that we support individuals looking to further their careers in our sector and ensure they have access to the training or tools needed to progress their careers. The future fund grants will help develop and retain up and coming talent.” www.bossfederation.com Midwich extends Shure distribution agreement Midwich has announced an extension to the distribution agreement with audio solutions manufacturer, Shure in the UK&I and Benelux. Having recently confirmed agreements with manufacturers, DTEN, Poly and Barco Clickshare, this announcement strengthens the group’s unified communications offering for its global channel partners. Commercial Director Stuart Mizon, said: “We’ve seen significant demand for Shure’s products in France, Iberia and Italy, so we’re happy to extend this key partnership to our channel partners and their customers, in the UK&I and Benelux.” Shure has become Zoom Rooms certified for several critical audio-conferencing solutions and has been a preferred solution for Zoom pro-AV designed room systems. It has also joined the Microsoft Certification Program to obtain certification for key Shure products with Microsoft Teams. www.midwich.com Ascom partners with Trust Distribution ICT and mobile workflow solutions provider, Ascom UK, has announced a new partnership with channel distributor Trust Distribution. The partnership will see Trust Distribution become a certified seller of Ascom’s ICT, mobile workflow and communication solutions for businesses operating in hospitality, retail, industry, security and other enterprise settings. Ascom’s solutions are also widely used in healthcare environments. Through the partnering with Ascom, Trust now have technology solutions for lone working, staff attack and technical integration into BMS and fire alarms. This new partnership will enable meeting the needs of customers within a broader market at a time when mobile solutions are key to the way people work. The Manchester-based distributor believes the addition of Ascom product lines aligns perfectly with its value-added commitment to customers. Purchasing Director John Davies, said: “Our business hasn’t been built on shipping boxes, it’s been built on understanding our customers’ needs and making sure we can offer all the products, solutions and support services necessary to meet individual requirements. “As mobility trends soar, our resellers - especially those working in retail and hospitality - are experiencing high demand for sophisticated mobile solutions that perform, integrate seamlessly, and support flexible working through improved communication. Becoming a certified distributor of Ascom’s IP-DECT, VoIP and smart devices, all of which are powered by Ascom Unite management platform, strengthens our portfolio to help us meet this need and grow our business”. Ascom, which operates globally in 18 countries, has delivered mobile workflow solutions in the UK for over 60 years – its products and software solutions are focussed on helping users close digital information gaps. www.ascom.com Tech Data 15th in national apprenticeship scheme rankings Tech Data has jumped to 15th position – up from 60th last year – in the RateMyApprenticeship’s Top 100 Employers Table after achieving excellent levels of success in only its second year of running an apprenticeship scheme. Of the 13 apprentices who embarked on this year’s programme, nine have already moved into full-time roles with three of the others deciding to go on to university instead. Of the 2019 cohort, seven remain with some already moving into business development or category management posts. Sales Director Martin Boyce, said: “The roles you can play in the IT industry are really diverse – from sales and marketing to law and finance – and we should be promoting that rather than the technology focus. We recruit on potential and make sure that we promote those broad opportunities to progress different careers in the apprenticeship scheme and other programmes. Getting the very best young people into the industry early and then developing them is really important.” As well as young people who are just starting out on their careers, Tech Data has an active programme of encouraging new entrants into the industry and is always emphasising that it is not only for the technically-minded. www.techdata.com 01732 759725 8 11 February 2021 www.printitawards.co.uk Martin Boyce