NEC Computers aims for indirect approach

Vendor announces plans to switch to a 100 per cent channel model

NEC has revealed its blueprints for a 100 per cent indirect strategy

NEC Computers has unveiled plans to become 100 per cent indirect over the next 12-months.

The vendor also revealed it intends to recruit one mainline distributor in the next three months and up to 100 resellers.

It intends to offer its full range of desktop PCs, laptops, servers and storage products exclusively through the channel and plans to sign specialist partners for its high-end enterprise solutions, such as NEC’s Virtual PC Center and Fault Tolerant server range.

As well as the education market the vendor is looking to increase its reseller base in all other vertical sectors, including healthcare, finance and the media industry.

NEC has also announced the appointment of Herve Le Fell as UK managing director and Rick Wallis as UK sales director.

Herve will support the overall channel strategy while Rick will oversee NEC Computers’ sales operations in the UK.

Wallis said: “The UK is the second largest market for NEC Computers in Europe, and we are looking to replicate the success we have achieved in other European markets by selling our products exclusively through the channel.

“We currently have excellent long-term relationships with a number of UK resellers and are looking to migrate any direct business completely over to the channel as we believe the level of service we can provide to our current customer base will be enhanced by involving the right channel partner. This move makes perfect sense, rather than competing with channel partners for their customers, we want to align ourselves and support the channel.”

The announced coincides with NEC’s launch of its new entry-level product range for the UK, which is specifically designed for the SME market.