South African technology and software distribution company Sandbox has landed distribution rights for Merant software products. Merant solutions in the "PVCS" range include change management, software configuration and Web content management products.
Sandbox will manage sales and marketing of the solutions, both directly and through a reseller programme, says Justin Scott, COO of Sandbox. "We will also manage the delivery of professional services through the Sandbox consulting division and professional service partners, and maintain and grow existing relationships with Merant's local customer base."
Sandbox has appointed a dedicated product manager, Brad Reekie, to manage the Merant suite.
The products
"All Merant's solutions deliver process automation, while offering customers the adaptability to implement their own best practices to ensure uptime and availability of business-critical systems," Scott says.
Enterprise change management provides "control over a wide range of processes and assets". Customers can measure, see and analyse digital assets and operational processes, resulting in "better accountability, traceability and alignment of technologies and assets".
Software configuration management (SCM) solutions manage software assets during team development and change processes, including integrated capabilities for version control, build and release management, baseline management and process enforcement.
Web content management solutions complement the management of design, creation, deployment and maintenance of Web sites.
The channel
Some of Merant's worldwide distribution partners include Ingram Micro, Siemens AG, Linsoft AB/Ravenholm Group, Cast Info (Spain) and Ness (Israel). Sandbox is appointed as the only distributor of Merant solutions for southern Africa, and is in the process of appointing resellers to represent the product range.
Sandbox will manage the distribution process from its Johannesburg offices. Leveraging its position and experience in the SCM arena as well as product management and distribution, Sandbox will service all existing and new customers locally.
Interacting directly with Merant's European offices, Sandbox says it will be able to fulfil customer orders in a matter of hours.
Sandbox provides professional services directly and through its growing list of channel partners. Its main consulting division is based in Johannesburg. In conjunction with local support offered by Sandbox, Merant offers a SupportNet solution running 24x7 internationally.
Merant Training provides education solutions that enable customers to manage change to their critical business infrastructure with Merant products. These solutions include classroom instruction at regional locations or onsite, online and distance learning courses.
The market
Scott says International Data Corporation statistics dated November last year put the spend on application development and deployment software spend and predictions in southern Africa at $154 million (2001), $182 million (2002), $216 million (2003), $260 million (2004) and $314 million (2005).
Scott says Merant has a solid position in the SA market, including long established customers such as Cell C, MTN, SCMB, First National Bank and Absa.
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