Cisco co-funds Intrinsic UC unit

Splashing the cash: Cisco is helping partner Intrinsic fund a new sales appointment

VAR Intrinsic Technology has launched a Cisco unified communications (UC) business unit with the vendor dipping into its pocket to help pay for the unit's new chief.

David Griffiths, who has worked for resellers, distributors and vendors in a 15-year channel sales career, has been headhunted by Intrinsic to helm the unit. He has been set ambitious targets, with Intrinsic aiming for a 400 per cent hike in Cisco revenues this year.

Griffiths' role has been co-funded by Cisco, with the VAR claiming this is one of the first times the networking titan has undertaken such a move. Cisco's UK and Ireland channel director Bernadette Wightman claimed the Premier Partner was one to watch in the Cisco channel.

“Intrinsic is a rising star in the channel and I want to ensure that the partnership is maximised so that both companies reap the benefits," she said. " Cisco is focused on helping its partners to become more profitable, regardless of size or rating. This initiative is just one way in which we can drive greater opportunities for both Intrinsic and Cisco.”

Intrinsic sales director Adam Jarvis added: “Intrinsic’s aggressive sales and marketing strategy is paying off. The company has grown nearly 500 per cent in the last five years and is one of the few resellers to be reporting strong growth in a global recession. This is an exciting time for us; despite the challenging economic conditions we are expanding, recruiting new people and winning high-profile projects.

"Our relationship with Cisco is vital for our growth, and investment in this unit is paramount as we continue to deliver increasingly complex solutions to our customer base and change business cultures through the innovative deployment of new technology.”