Westcon and Comstor, divisions of Datatec`s networking equipment and services division, Westcon Group, have received certifications from key suppliers, appointed new management and concluded deals to strengthen its capability as a leading distributor and provider of value-added services.
1. Comstor achieves VPN Security and IP Telephony Specialisation from Cisco Systems
Comstor UK has received the VPN/Security and IP Telephony Specialisations from Cisco Systems. These certifications recognise Comstor as having the ability to plan, design, implement and support IP Telephony and VPN/Security solutions.
Says Paul Salmon, Director of Technical Operations, EMEA Channels, Cisco Systems: "The Cisco Channel Specialisations are designed to help channel partners develop a technology specific expertise, enabling them to differentiate themselves. By achieving our VPN/Security and IP Telephony Specialisations, channel partners earn more credibility and are recognised for having a proven expertise in Cisco IP Telephony and VPN/Security solutions."
2. Comstor Europe appoints new managing director
Comstor has appointed Simon John England to the position of managing director, Comstor Europe. In his new position, he will report to Westcon Group President and CEO, Alan Marc Smith.
England will be based in Germany and will be responsible for Comstor Europe`s operations, including its offices in the UK, Belgium and Germany. This executive appointment at Comstor Europe is part of Westcon Group`s ongoing global management structure realignment, which began in November of last year.
England, who has over 15 years experience in the networking and channel business, led Ingram Micro`s Enterprise networking distribution activities in Europe, considerably expanding the company`s reach into Europe at large. Compu-Shack`s revenues grew
from DM 65 million to DM 556 million during his tenure there, while the company`s leadership position in networking distribution was substantially increased.
3. Westcon`s GSA Agent programme provides access to Government
Westcon`s GSA (General Services Administration) Agent Programme offers its solution provider customers a convenient vehicle to sell IT products to the US federal and government.
Under this unique arrangement, solution providers gain access to a GSA schedule through Westcon that can maintain the GSA schedule and provide complete GSA contract management. The GSA Agent Programme gives many solution providers who have not had an opportunity to sell to the federal marketplace the ability to do so.
The programme, which is part of Westcon`s Federal Edge program, currently includes products from Nortel Networks and Check Point Software Technologies.
The GSA was established in 1949 to save taxpayers money by centralizing federal government`s procurement. It is estimated that nearly 40 percent of all federal IT purchasing will be done through the GSA Multiple Award Schedules.
Westcon Group has seven years experience in GSA schedule administration, and has over 300 reseller agents across the US already participating in the programme. The federal market, which has reportedly been largely unaffected by the recent economic downturn, is expected to exceed $40 billion in sales for fiscal 2001 and is expected to grow by 65 percent in the next five years.
4. Westcon to distribute Radware`s Internet traffic management (ITM) products
Westcon has signed a North American distribution agreement with Radware, a Nasdaq-listed global leader of Intelligent Traffic Management (ITM) solutions that bring certainty to dynamic networks. Westcon will distribute Radware`s entire product line including FireProof, Web Server Director (WSD), LinkProof, Cache Server Director, Peer Director and the CertainT 100 SSL accelerator.
The addition of Radware`s product line augments Westcon`s security offerings as it enhances the performance of firewalls and networks through intelligent IP load balancing.
Says Anthony Daley, general manager of the Westcon Division: "Through our partnership with Radware we further enhance our customers` ability to gain a competitive edge. Our solution providers are looking for products with high integration that offer scalable, value added solutions that complement and enhance existing networks. Radware`s Internet Traffic Management (ITM) provides effective load balancing for any network, however large or small. The result of this is a more secure network environment and better use of server resources, since traffic patterns become more predictable."
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