Technology Reseller - v29

01732 759725 08 NEWS : DISTRIBUTORS Dave Stevinson Mike Barron Tom Maxwell Judith Addison Enterprise software delivery platform operator QBS Technology Group has strengthened its cybersecurity services capability with the acquisition of 4SEC Group Limited and related companies Alpha Generation Distribution Limited and 4SERV Limited (AlphaGen). A specialist value-added distributor of security software from vendors such as Thycotic, Corero, Snow Software, Hitachi and Stormshield, AlphaGen has offices in Retford and Basingstoke. It employs 36 people and generated sales of £9.6 million in the 12 months to March 31 2019. Post-acquisition, AlphaGen will continue to operate as a standalone business, with its customer base of more than 300 value-added resellers, cloud service providers and systems integrators benefitting from access to a wider range of products distributed through the QBS platform. Dave Stevinson, Group CEO of QBS, said: “Alpha Gen has enjoyed considerable success in providing value-added services and bespoke solutions in a number of vertical markets and has a well-earned reputation as a cybersecurity specialist. The acquisition has obvious benefits for both companies, enhancing QBS’ expertise and solutions in the cybersecurity market, complementary to our existing software businesses, and providing AlphaGen customers and vendors with a platform for growth within a highly focused software delivery platform.” QBS enhances cybersecurity capability with AlphaGen acquisition Online training with TIG With so many business buyers and IT staff working remotely from home, Technological Innovations Group (TIG) is rolling out a series of webinars and online training sessions so that customers can get trained up on solutions within its portfolio. The programme includes online training from Crestron’s Technical Institute (CTI) and webinars on Hoylu collaboration software. https://www.tig.eu/webinars New warehouse for Synaxon UK Reseller, MSP and dealer services group Synaxon UK is partnering with Bolton- based warehouse and distribution specialist MW Fulfilment and opening a new, dedicated warehouse close to its UK head office in Warrington. Investment in extra warehouse capacity and state-of-the-art order tracking will enable Synaxon to increase the inventory of best-selling products and exclusive offers available to members through its Central Trading service. Mike Barron, Managing Director of SYNAXON UK, said: “Our Central Trading business has been gaining momentum in recent months and with this increased investment and the extended partnership with MW Fulfilment Services Ltd, we’ll be able to continue that growth while maintaining the highest standards of service delivery for our members.” In addition to products at special prices available through Central Trading, SYNAXON UK provides its 600+ members with access to the portfolios or more than 40 distributors via its EGIS online procurement system, as well as its Cloud-iQ service (for Microsoft CSP). A special bids tool, managed services and device-as-a-service options are planned for this year. IBM award for Tech Data’s Potter Mike Potter, Solution Architect, UK at Tech Data, has been named an IBM Champion for 2020 in recognition of his support for IBM partners and his role in highlighting IBM technology, creating content and evangelising the company’s systems and solutions. Potter is one of just 604 individuals worldwide to be chosen as an IBM Champion 2020 – one of 188 new or returning alumni, 399 renewals and 17 Lifetime Champions. IBM Champions have exclusive access to IBM roadmaps, announcements and product development teams, which Potter says will help Tech Data customers get the most out of IBM software, solutions and services. “To be named as an IBM Champion for 2020 recognises that Tech Data is committed to supporting IBM Partners at the highest level,” he said. “It gives us access to IBM subject matter experts and other IBM Champions and partners. If one of our customers is struggling with a complex implementation of IBM Storage or Power systems, for example, I will be able to reach into the Champion community to see if anyone else has experienced similar challenges. By working together, we can find the right answers.” www.techdata.com Nimans highlights reseller sales opportunities Nimans has highlighted two areas where it believes resellers should be making the most of current sales opportunities, viz. uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and indoor and outdoor mesh-based wireless connectivity. Tom Maxwell, Head of Dealer Sales at Nimans, points out that the scale of the UPS opportunity is often underestimated by resellers. He said: “I think some resellers are missing a trick and leaving sales opportunities on the table. They assume an end user’s IT department will be looking after UPS. But they should cover all bases, up-sell and not walk away.” Maxwell adds that with 22 models to choose from, including standalone and rack-mounted versions, there is a ‘margin-rich’ Riello UPS for numerous applications, from cash registers and small personal workstations to larger network devices and servers. Nimans Networking Solutions Business Manager Judith Addison highlights near record demand for mesh-based wireless connectivity solutions from DrayTek, including the company’s VigorAP 912C ceiling-mount wireless access point and ruggedised VigorAP 918RPD outdoor access point. She said: “Mesh makes the deployment of wireless connectivity so much easier as you don’t necessarily need cable to all your access points. If you have a difficult building where you need to get WiFi access to a particular area, you can plug in an access point for true mesh performance rather than an extender. This makes the whole solution far more effective.” She added: “Outdoor mesh access points add a new dimension to the installation process; as long as there is a power supply you don’t need all the associated cabling, making it ideal for remote buildings.” www.nimans.net Check point award for Arrow Arrow has been named ‘Best Strategic Distributor of the Year’ by cyber security solutions specialist Check Point Software Technologies Ltd in recognition of its outstanding sales performance and close alignment with Check Point’s strategy throughout 2019. Olivier Huck, head of European Channels at Check Point, said: “The Arrow team has a deep understanding of our CloudGuard security technologies – as shown by the recent integration of the CloudGuard IaaS solution into the ArrowSphere platform – and is extremely proactive in driving end-user awareness and in sharing its knowledge with VARs. This helps to accelerate business growth across the reseller base. They are a truly valued partner.”