Computerlinks adds to vendor line-up

Distributor signs two new vendors to virtualisation portfolio and partners with broadband satellite operator

Rupert Collier: Product stack will be supported by members of security portfolio

Computerlinks has added two more vendors to its burgeoning virtualisation product portfolio.

The distributor told Channelweb earlier this month that it was recruiting vendors in order to assemble a product stack that provides partners with the tools needed to tackle server virtualisation projects.

At the time, the firm already had Citrix, the Virtual Machine Company and Akorri on its books, and has now signed exclusive UK distribution agreements with SteelEye and NetEx, too.

SteelEye specialise in business continuity products and NetEx claims to produce the world’s faster WAN optimisation software for use in virtual environments.

Rupert Collier, virtualisation product manager at Computerlinks, said both vendors had been chosen because of how channel-friendly they are.

“They both offer cracking technologies and have not had a major presence within EMEA up to this point,” he claimed. “The bulk of the product stack is in place now and we will support it with one or two vendors from our security portfolio.”

The distributor hopes to roll out the vendors' products to the other members of the Computerlinks groups in due course, added Collier.

David Feltham, director of EMEA sales at SteelEye, welcomed the distributor's support for its growth plans.

He said: "As our presence in the UK grows, it’s vital for us to have a distribution partner that has an established infrastructure and extensive marketing resources. Computerlinks provides all of this.”

In a seperate deal, Computerlinks announced a partnership with broadband satellite operator Avanti in a three-year distribution deal worth up to £4.5m.

As a result, Computerlinks will distribute Avanti's business continuity products including its business internet continuity (BIC) service.