VAR Handheld PCs has signed a deal with O2 that will see the mobile giant promote Handheld PCs’ hand-e-pix and hand-e-mail software.
As reported in CRN, Handheld PCs diversified into software development last year with the creation of hand-e-pix. Since then Handheld PCs has implemented hand-e-pix for several local authorities, construction giant Skanska and a food supplier to several major supermarkets.
Under the agreement with O2, hand-e-pix and Handheld’s newest addition, hand-e-mail, will be sold by both O2’s direct sales force and its channel partners, which will be paid a secondary connection fee every time they sell the software.
Pierre Lams, co-founder of Handheld PCs, told CRN: “The deal came about partly because O2 recognised the quality of the customers that we were acquiring and also because it recently asked us to join its O2 Data Centre of Excellence.”
To date, three partners have been selected to join O2’s Data Centre of Excellence – Affiniti, Alternative Networks and Handheld PCs.
O2 Data Centre of Excellence partners have to have a proven track record in providing customised solutions designed to improve customers’ productivity.
“O2 also realised that if it started promoting our products it would drive more data centre connections,” Lams added.
David Plumb, head of O2 indirect partners and business mobilisation, said: “We are delighted to be working with Handheld PC’s and the hand-e-pix product which has a proven return on investment for both government and private businesses.
“Handheld PCs is a member of the O2 Data Centre of Excellence, an exclusive group of top UK business partners working closely with O2 to develop mobile data expertise.”
Rob Bamforth, principal analyst at Quocirca, said: “All of the operators are looking for layers of added value and services to add over the connectivity. This deal is excellent for Handheld PCs because it is a great way for it to add value. The deal is also good for O2 because it brings in specific skill sets.”
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