ACD sees VAR strategy work

Canadian imaging software start-up ACD Systems has increased its sales by a quarter, after deciding to sell through resellers last autumn.

Canadian imaging software start-up ACD Systems has increased its sales by a quarter, after deciding to sell through resellers last autumn.

It has also begun setting up a formal indirect channel.

Its ACD See product is a shareware image viewer which bolts on to Windows and helps PC users organise and preview images in more than 30 file formats.

It is freely available to download from the Internet and users are subsequently offered the chance to upgrade to a Pro version for $50 (£30). Following OEM deals with vendors including Packard Bell NEC, Kodak and more recently Hewlett-Packard, resellers began approaching the company to carry its Pro version.

ACD admitted it is shocked by the success of its indirect sales into businesses as ACD See was originally intended for consumers interested in imaging and digital photography. Dena Ferretti, business development administrator at ACD, said the firm now has 12,000 corporate clients and is appointing resellers.

Since moving into Europe last June, ACD has begun discussions with distributors in Europe, and the region now makes up a quarter of its sales. Despite making no previous appeals to the channel, ACD boasts 114 resellers worldwide including three in the UK, Ferretti said, and offers resellers 25 per cent margin. ACD is currently developing a Mac version of ACD See.

ACD's range also includes Express Communicator and Express Messaging Server, two messaging applications designed to replace internal emails and cut down on network traffic.