Symantec and CMS Peripherals are believed to be parting company in the UK following a distribution review.

The security and storage giant indicated it would chop one distributor from its line up in June, to make way for new appointment SCH Distribution (SCHd).

Symantec has confirmed that a decision has now been made and that the distributor in question has been notified. It is several weeks off making a formal announcement.

Some channel sources have claimed storage specialist CMS Peripherals could be the one to go, although both Symantec and CMS declined to comment.

Jason Ellis, Symantec EMEA channel vice president, told CRN: “We have made some decisions. We said that SCHd would displace one of our current distributors. The number went up and we always expected it to come down.”

CMS has access to Symantec’s availability products. It is believed that Symantec will continue working with CMS in its native Ireland.

Symantec also works with Bell Micro, Codework, Computer 2000, Ingram Micro, SCHd, DNS Arrow and Douglas Stewart in the UK.

Cathi Low, director of Ingram Micro’s Value Business, said: “With a reduced number of more focused distributors, Symantec can continue to concentrate investment in distributors giving the best return and channel value.”

She added: “Ingram Micro has a positive outlook for 2010 and enjoyed growth with Symantec this year leading with initiatives in small business, increased capacity in pre-sales, and proactive renewals management.”

Divyesh Lakhani, sales director at Codework, said: “Symantec has got too many distributors chasing easy, commoditised business. It is trying to go towards more specialism among its resellers and we hope they will also do this for distribution.”

Lee Perkins, country manager UK & Ireland at Computer 2000 - which currently only works with Symantec around its volume products - urged Symantec to make further distribution changes.

"Symantec has got a couple of very strong specialists that operate in very distinct customer bases but who do not bring breadth to their value play," he said. "I think there is a part for another distributor who can take its end-to-end message to market."