SoftwareONE launches in UK

Microsoft LAR outlines growth strategy a month after poaching five sales staff from Bytes

The VAR plans to grow within the UK

Swiss software licensing VAR SoftwareONE has unveiled plans to increase headcount and grow its partner channel after opening its first UK office in Victoria, London.

SoftwareONE poached five sales staff from Microsoft large account reseller (LAR) Bytes Technology Group in October, including sales director Zak Virdi.

Virdi, who has been named UK managing director, is aiming to boost UK headcount from six to 10 staff and to recruit 20 ISVs and VARs to join its VARassist programme.

“We have the ability to service instead of compete with partners. In particular, solutions providers that are selling hardware or software but cannot sell the licensing are well suited for this programme,” he said.

“SoftwareONE has a 55 per cent market share in Switzerland and is growing globally.”

Virdi stressed that he will not compete with his former employer, despite SoftwareOne holding pan-European LAR status with Microsoft.

Neil Murphy, managing director of Bytes, said: “SoftwareONE is our most important international partner and Zak moving to the company will only make our relationship stronger. We have arranged an agreement so we do not compete on a local level.”