Distribution holds key to Unidata expansion

Software tools developer Unidata is planning to increase its presence outside of the US by building up a strong distribution channel.

The company has set up an international operations group dedicated to recruiting and managing distributors in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Richard Kolodynski, who spent 10 years building up SCO?s international sales and channels, has taken charge of the unit with the brief to develop a channel outside the UK.

Kolodynski?s first priority is to establish a co-ordinated strategy for recruiting and supporting distributors in mainland Europe.

He will be backed up by Brian Little, who joins from South African software distributor Siltek to become distribution account manager.

The unit is expected to expand along with international business for Unidata, whose object database and tools are primarily known in the US and the UK.

According to Kolodynski, the company?s strategy will be to focus on large corporations with specific requirements for high-end multimedia and object-based capabilities.

?Unidata?s Web-based development tools and object database development directions suit the way corporate clients see their future,? he said.