D-Link plans cash boost to enhance UK channel

Resellers warn that money alone will not be enough for vendor to achieve targets

Network hardware vendor D-Link is to pump e1m (£700,000) into its UK channel next year as part of a strat-egy to enhance its presence and support the growth of its partners.
The firm is looking to bring its UK growth into line with its European business and the cash injection will be aimed at improving the skills of resellers to ensure they can fully support the D-Link brand.
D-Link also plans to relaunch the company logo and revise its partner strategy.
Chris Davies, UK and Ireland general manager at D-Link, said: “We are performing very well in Europe and want to bring the UK up to speed. A major part of this will be the increased investment.
“Our partners need to have the right skills in place to grow. We are looking to support their investment so they can grow with us and provide their customers with a better level of customer service.”
News of the extra investment has been given a cautious welcome by resellers, who warned it would take more than money for D-Link to achieve its targets.
Darren Stringer, managing director of D-Link partner Brighter Connections, said: “The investment is a very positive move, but D-Link
needs to do more than just throw money about if partners are going to benefit.
“The investment must be evenly distributed between the north and the south so that partners across the country can make the most of it.”
Meanwhile, D-Link has confirmed the appointment of former Cisco EMEA marketing director Dave Smith as its european vice president of business solutions.
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