In a move to develop its African channel and educate resellers in the region, Sun Microsystems has appointed cdpAFRICA as Channel Development Partner (CDP) for sub-Saharan Africa.
"In addition to providing comprehensive logistics and support services, we are aiming, in conjunction with Sun, to develop the channel in sub-Saharan Africa. This entails signing up more partners and educating resellers on how Sun's solutions can benefit their daily business operations," comments Anthony Duckworth, director of cdpAFRICA.
This latest announcement underscores cdpAFRICA's success in Africa and is an extension of the company's existing Sun CDP status. Last year cdpAFRICA was appointed as the CDP for the English and French speaking countries of the continent.
Comments Ben Neveling, regional sales manager: Africa at Sun Microsystems SA: "With the help of cdpAFRICA, Sun will become even more visible in sub-Saharan Africa. Our 'feet on the ground' will increase significantly, benefiting both resellers and Sun."
cdpAFRICA - wholly owned by MGX Holdings - has been a Sun partner for three years. Extending its CDP reach to sub-Saharan Africa, the company will be able to further Sun's pre-sales efforts in Africa as well as provide resellers with logistics support. "cdpAFRICA will become that single point of contact," Neveling points out.
Added to this, resellers can benefit from cdpAFRICA's support services that include the hold of back-up stock on their behalf.
cdpAFRICA will also, in the near future, establish support centres throughout the sub-Saharan region. This will enable the company to assist Sun in its pre- and post-sales support efforts.
Africa has in recent years seen substantial growth in its telecommunications and financial sectors, which has subsequently furthered the deployment of IT solutions in these fields. Also, says Neveling, governments in Africa have started to implement e-government initiatives.
"These initiatives include distance learning projects, which means that vendors and their partners need to provide the necessary solutions and skills to realise them.
"Through cdpAFRICA's expertise and strong role in Africa, Sun will be able to do just that."
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cdpAFRICA and Sun will host an Africa Partner Conference at Spier in Cape Town from 5 to 7 September 2002. For more information, contact Devorah Heyman on (011) 315 1223 or devorah @cdpAFRICA.com, or Elise Roscoe on (011) 256 6300 or elise.roscoe@sun.com.
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