Eleksen wants VARs to get a feel of its fabric

Manufacturer wants resellers for its Bluetooth-enabled fabric keyboard

Manufacturer Eleksen is on the hunt for resellers to sell its latest Bluetooth-enabled fabric keyboard.

Eleksen’s patented technology, ElekTex, enables fabric to be programmed to create touch-sensitive controls for electronic devices. Current applications include iPod controls incorporated into clothes, bags or accessories, and fabric keyboards for use with smartphones and PDAs.

Eleksen has been selling its products in the US, but it is looking to break into the UK market with the help of the channel.

Robin Shephard, chief executive of Eleksen, told CRN: “In May we floated the company on the Alternative Investment Market. We are now looking to recruit between three and eight resellers in the UK, and one or two niche distributors.”

Initially, Shephard wants resellers to focus on selling the ElekTex wireless fabric keyboard, which was launched last month in the US and this week in the UK.

“The fabric keyboard is Bluetooth-enabled and compatible with most hand-held devices, including Research In Motion’s Blackberry, Palm Treo, and Nokia and Microsoft Smartphones,” Shephard said. “It can be rolled up and put in a pocket so it is completely portable.”

Pierre Lams, managing director of reseller Handheld PCs, said: “We are always interested in new technology for hand-held devices, but we are beginning to focus more on software solutions for hand-helds. Although we would probably be interested in having a couple of fabric keyboards to show our customers what is possible.”

Steve Muttram, managing director of distributor Portix, said: “Fabric keyboards have been around for some time, but I think this is the first Bluetooth one. People either love fabric keyboards or hate them: it’s a personal preference.”