Metrologie wins HPUX race

Hewlett Packard chooses distributor at last

After weeks of deliberation, Hewlett Packard (HP) has finally chosen Metrologie to distribute its HPUX range.

Metrologie, part of the CCD distribution arm of Computacenter, was selected last week after tendering against the other Compaq Alpha distributors, Ideal Enterprise Solutions (IES) and Magirus. HP currently uses OpenPSL to distribute its high-end HPUX line.

John Young, enterprise channel manager for HP UK, said Metrologie would have to take part in a five-month pilot scheme to establish how the two distributors would work together with HP. "If all the expectations have been met we will then finalise the deal," he said.

He added that Metrologie was chosen because of its Compaq Alpha track record.

Mike Jones, director of direct services at Computacenter, said the pilot scheme would start on 1 October, and was intended to "guarantee the best channel engagement" between OpenPSL, HP and Metrologie.

"We will have targeted programmes to increase the breadth of customers. This is something we demonstrated with the Alpha range," he said.

Young said both Magirus and IES will continue to sell and support the Alpha range, adding that its support life will continue for about five to seven years. The Alpha range will eventually be migrated into the HPUX range.

"We are still in discussions with Magirus and IES to see how the new HP can work with them both," he said.

Greg Carlow, managing director at reseller Repton, said he was pleased with the appointment. "Competition has many benefits, and they usually outweigh the negatives. For resellers it will mean there are two sources for products, which is important if something is in short supply," he said.