VMS (Vanguard Managed Solutions) - formerly the networking division of Motorola - has identified SA as a key growth area and is targeting the region with a view to expanding its business interests.
Late last year Platinum Equity, a US-based venture capital company, acquired Motorola`s Networking Division (MND) whose products are distributed locally by networking technology product distributor Westcon.
According to Craig Rosewarne, sales manager at Westcon, Vanguard`s increased focus on SA is already having a marked effect through the introduction of heightened levels of support services.
"SA was identified as a key growth area in the EMEA region because of the high number of existing high profile users. There are over 400 companies in SA currently using Vanguard routers, the largest being a large retail group with around 500 nodes."
Motorola has specialised in voice over data solutions for the past five years and is recognised as one of the pioneers in this field. As the name implies, Vanguard is at the forefront of technology. But because Motorola`s focus was more on the cellular phone industry, its marketing campaigns on the voice over data products lagged.
"Following the acquisition by Platinum Equity and the name change to Vanguard a higher profile is being introduced and Westcon - as the sole Vanguard distributor - is building up a new authorised and accredited reseller base."
Rosewarne says the Vanguard product set offers high levels of functionality such as voice over data and strong legacy integration to Unix and IBM`s SNA mainframe architectures.
"We are targeting additional resellers that specialise in PBX solutions. Initial reaction from them has been very positive and they have been very impressed with the Vanguard functionality.
Through the channel Westcon will be shortly offering existing Motorola Vanguard customers a cost-effective upgrade.
Share
Editorial contacts