NAI unlocks VAR scheme

Network Associates (NAI) is reorganising its channel with a beefed-up accreditation scheme for resellers and the appointment of distributor Azlan.

Companies that want to resell McAfee network protection products have until April to sign up for the accreditation programme.

NAI said no products will be sold through unaccredited dealers, adding that those VARs which join will benefit from lead-generation programmes and better sales and support training.

Wayne Carter, northern regional channel director at NAI, said: "We are looking to build an expert channel which will take investment in training and resources from partners and ourselves."

NAI will be running online training sessions, with technical classroom sessions scheduled for the second half of the year.

Greg Carlow, managing director of VAR Repton, said he was impressed by the online training facility.

"It's good to have training available online. It means we don't lose people to classrooms for weeks," he said.

NAI's appointment of Azlan, which was taken over by Computer 2000 last year, will provide services and support to resellers.

Richard Pryor-Jones, Azlan's managing director, said: "These products offer our partners an opportunity to further enhance profitability in this growing sector of the security marketplace."

Azlan will operate across Europe in the UK, Ireland, Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Spain and Portugal.

At the moment NAI is not looking for another distributor, but the firm said it has not ruled it out in the future.

iain_thomson@vnu.co.uk