BitDefender looks to recruit 150 UK VARs
Vendor pleased with progress of reseller recruitment drive and eyes further expansion
Internet security vendor BitDefender has hailed the first stage of its UK channel recruitment drive a success and is gearing up for its next assault.
The vendor announced last year that it was gunning for a significant share of the UK market with the launch of its two-tier channel programme and has recruited 150 resellers in the territory. It works with Tekdata and Interactive Ideas as its two UK distributors.
Nick Billington, UK country manager at the firm, said: “People are really starting to get to know about us now and our first batch of trained channel partners are starting to make a real difference in the market place.”
He said the firm is still looking for more partners, and plans to take on at least a further 150-200 partners in the UK.
In addition, BitDefender is in advanced talks with several broadline distributors in the UK and is close to signing a partnership deal with one of them, Billington revealed.
“At this stage partners are all at the same level which is Silver, but I am keen to get our first Platinum level partners on board by the end of the year,” he added.
Ken Hulme, managing director of Tekdata, said: “BitDefender’s products are doing well, its pricing is competitive and although it is not the best known name in the world, it is starting to increase in popularity in the UK. I think if it can get a base of 300 VARs, selling into niche markets then it will have even greater success.”
Separately, BitDefender has embarked on the first phase of its Irish growth plans, signing distributor Partners in Europe to recruit a network of resellers across Ireland.
Kieran Sheahan, chief executive of Partners in Europe, said: “BitDefender is having great success in Europe at the moment and there is no reason why we cannot achieve similar success in Ireland.”