Deverill strikes deal with FSC
Reseller awarded Systems Centre status
VAR Deverill has been awarded the status of Systems Centre by Fujitsu Siemens Computers (FSC), expanding the firm's server business.
The new status will see the reseller develop yearly business plans in conjunction with the hardware vendor. It also will receive additional benefits such as advanced technical training, joint marketing funds and access to demonstration equipment.
Tony Kingston, marketing director at Deverill, which also sells hardware from Hewlett-Packard (HP), IBM and Acer, said the firm was keen to partner with a hardware maker that has a good server offering.
Deverill used to be a Compaq VAR and has been eyeing up replacements since HP bought Compaq in 2002. The firm also signed a deal with Acer in 2002 to enter the growing notebook market.
"Acer sells purely through the channel and is good for notebooks and desktops. We wanted a firm with the same channel strategy and a strong server business, which FSC is," Kingston said.
He added that the agreement comes straight after the firm was awarded Microsoft Gold Partner Status, which gives it an opportunity to add value to the FSC hardware.
Ian Snadden, director of SME and channel sales at FSC, claimed many HP VARs are on the look-out for new vendors. He said: "Years ago lots of VARs built their businesses on IBM, then moved to Compaq. Now they are looking for alternatives.
"We have more than 400 accredited UK resellers as well as hundreds more that sell on an unaccredited basis."
Snadden advised the unaccredited VARs to become accredited so they can receive the benefits of working with FSC.
Earlier this year Eurodata Systems signed a reseller deal with FSC to reduce its dependence on HP in the server space.