BMC Software, the largest supplier of systems and applications management software in the world, has appointed JSE-listed CCH as its Master Distributor for South Africa.
BMC had formerly distributed its products through two companies, in CCH and AST. The new appointment sees AST appointed as a value-added reseller of BMC products.
US-based BMC is one of the largest independent software companies in the world and one of the few true enterprise software players, with annual revenues of $1,8 billion and 7 000 employees worldwide. Its software solutions are sold into the world`s top companies, and in South Africa it has achieved strong penetration of the Top 200 companies.
Darroll Buytenhuys, BMC senior VP, says the appointment of CCH has been made in response to requests from customers and the market in general for rationalisation of the channel.
"We have made a number of product acquisitions in recent years, and these have been integrated into the Patrol 2000 suite, which offers end-to-end systems availability and performance. We needed a focal point. It has become increasingly difficult to have two companies selling and supporting an integrated suite, and it makes sense to have one company owning all aspects of the solution range. CCH met all our requirements and came forward with a compelling business plan, complementary hardware and software products, and a commitment to our entire product range."
Both distributors had agreed that it made sense for there to be a Master Distributor, says Tim Peck, BMC`s regional director for Middle East and Africa. "CCH is that single distributor, and their vision is fully aligned with that of BMC, and will help position us in the local market as the deep facto standard for e-business systems management."
The market for BMC solutions in South Africa is growing at 50% year on year, and is expected to top $16 million in the next year.
CCH, and before it Software Futures which it acquired in 1998, had represented the New Dimension product range for many years. New Dimension was acquired by BMC in 1999, giving CCH access to the BMC product range.
BMC will continue to service top-tier companies and public sector companies in South Africa, while targeting new markets, such as e-businesses and application service providers. With its roots firmly in the "glasshouse" data processing centre, where it plays a critical role in ensuring uptime of systems, it is now extending its reach into the e-business world.
"E-business is more than ever about uptime and systems, application and database availability," says Buytenhuys. "BMC`s speciality is ensuring these systems are available and performing."
Of particular importance is BMC`s move to being able to predict problems in systems performance, and to recommend fixes before systems fail. Peck adds that customers will not be affected at all by the transition to one Master Distributor.
Share
