Technology Reseller - v25

01732 759725 NEWS: DISTRIBUTORS 06 Tech Data chose November’s Smart Factory Expo, part of Digital Manufacturing Week at Liverpool Exhibition Centre, to launch its Industry Solutions Ecosystem initiative for partners and developers targeting the manufacturing sector. The programme follows a successful initiative for the healthcare and life sciences sectors that, with the support of IBM, has resulted in a number of new partnerships and solutions for the IBM PowerAI and Watson platforms. Neil Cornish, Business Development Manager, Industry Solutions at Tech Data UK, said: “The concept is exactly the same, but this time we’re applying the principles to the manufacturing and industrial sector, with the aim of bringing together companies with complementary skills in specific technologies, such as IoT, AI and real-time analytics, and businesses that are already established and have access to the manufacturing sector.” He added: “Manufacturers can benefit hugely from the intelligent and targeted use of emerging technologies to drive greater quality, efficiency and automation.” Where required, Tech Data will provide expertise and professional services support to fill any gaps that partners and developers may have in their own capabilities. Tech Data acts as matchmaker for partners targeting manufacturing sector Giacom into the finals Giacom, the UK’s largest reseller-only cloud distributor, will be representing the UK in the finals of the 2019 European Business Awards in Warsaw in December after being named a National Winner in the Innovation category for businesses with a turnover of € 26m - € 150m in the penultimate round of judging. Now in its 12th year, the European Business Awards aims to support the development of a stronger business community throughout Europe. This year’s competition attracted 120,000 entrants. Exertis appoints first aiders for mental health As part of a programme of mental health support, Exertis has designated 26 of its employees as Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA). The volunteers, who undertook a two-day training course, are there to offer advice and support to colleagues suffering from depression, anxiety, stress and other mental health conditions. MHFAs are trained to spot the early signs of mental ill health and encourage individuals to access appropriate professional support. Tim Griffin, Managing Director of Exertis Group, said: “I am delighted that we have trained mental health first aiders around the business as part of our initiative to improve mental health awareness and to encourage conversation about the support available.” Exertis also offers a complimentary Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) through MetLife, which offers help in balancing the requirements of work and home, and a number of wellbeing services through Health Assured, including a 24/7/365 helpline, face-to-face counselling sessions and access to financial, legal and health support. Scansource offers ‘frictionless’ cloud migration with 8x8 and Poly Value added distributor Scansource has joined forces with 8x8 and Poly to help companies move from legacy on-premises business communication systems to true cloud-based solutions for unified communications, collaboration and contact centre. Claimed to be the first time a frictionless hardware replacement/ cloud migration programme has been offered to the VAR channel, the CloudFuel programme combines UCaaS and CCaaS solutions from 8x8, equipment from Poly and financial incentives for ScanSource resellers. The move from on-premises systems to cloud-based communications represents a huge opportunity for the channel. So far, less than 10% of an estimated 350 million on-premises seats worldwide have migrated to the cloud, and in a recent survey by Frost & Sullivan 82% of businesses surveyed said they had moved or planned to move part or all of their enterprise telephony solutions to the cloud. The CloudFuel programme offered through ScanSource’s global network of more than 35,000 resellers will include the full range of 8x8 X Series and standalone solutions, integrated analytics, frictionless migration tools and deployment services, as well as incentives on Poly equipment, including favourable leasing terms and pricing and a buyback programme for on- premises equipment. Vik Verma, CEO of 8x8, said: “For many years 8x8 has been helping businesses replace their legacy on-premises solutions to modernise their communications and increase service quality, system resiliency, IT agility and performance visibility, all with a single cloud technology platform. Today’s announcement unites industry leaders with a joint purpose – to deliver cost effective, packaged programmes that will enable countless organisations to easily and quickly take advantage of the cloud.” www.cloud-fuel.com Successful first year for Titan Data Solutions Data storage and cybersecurity solutions distributor Titan Data Solutions is celebrating a successful first year of business in which it has grown its active monthly customer base to more than 400 resellers and become the leading Quantum LTO media distributor in EMEA. The company was formed last year by four individuals boasting more than 50 years’ experience in the data storage industry, with the intention of working with a small group of niche vendors focused on data storage and cybersecurity. Managing Director Ben Jackson said: “We believe we’re the only truly focused data storage and cybersecurity solutions distributor in the UK. Resellers’ expectations of Distribution are often limited to having stock at the lowest price. We move the conversation to providing margin-enhanced solutions to satisfy their end users’ requirements.” Titan Data Solutions is planning to build on its early success, which includes winning the ‘One to Watch’ award at the Storage Awards and being nominated for CRN Storage Distributor of the Year, with a move to larger premises, investment in a new CRM system and further recruitment. www.titandatasolutions.com