Microsoft Press signs CHS to do the bookwork

Microsoft has taken on CHS Electronics as the second distributor for its book products.

CHS joins existing supplier Frontline, which was appointed a distribution partner for Microsoft Press in December. Ingram Micro is also expected to be taken on imminently, as negotiations are in progress.

Microsoft Press business development manager David Bradley said software and technology reference books represented an opportunity for the channel to diversify product lines and revisit old customers.

Traditionally, Microsoft Press products go through the book channel, he said. ?But our customers are telling us they?re buying software in a variety of ways. The one-size-fits all approach doesn?t work for everyone any more. This is an ideal opportunity for our resellers to add value.?

The move comes at a time when Dixons is understood to be examining whether to reduce dependence on Metrologie as its premier supplier (PC Dealer, 10 September). One source said the loss of the Dixons account, which accounts for a large chunk of Metrologie?s Microsoft business, would be detrimental to Metrologie?s relationship as a Microsoft distributor.

Bradley said Microsoft Press had no immediate plans to take on Metrologie as a distributor. But he claimed there was no limit on the number of distributors, and Metrologie was likely to join the list in the future.