Ingram goes over the Wall
Vendor appoints fifth UK distribution partner
Security vendor SonicWall has added a fifth UK distributor to its stable in the form of broadliner Ingram Micro.
The vendor already works with Ingram in the US and other European territories, and the deal is an extension of these contracts into the UK, claimed Andy Zollo, UK and Ireland country manager at SonicWall.
“Ingram is one of our two global distributors and has done a great job elsewhere,” he said. “This was not an overnight decision. Ingram is a trusted name in the channel and is able to put a strong focus on SonicWall.”
SonicWall’s other UK distributors are Computer 2000/Azlan, Bell Micro, e92plus and Tekdata.
Zollo added that the vendor has a tradition of both broadline and value- added distribution partners and denied that the addition of Ingram to proceedings would cause it to be over distributed.
“There is such a huge opportunity out there still and so much room for all of us to grow,” Zollo said
He added the firm is not considering slimming its distributor chain in the UK at the present time.
“We are always reviewing things, but we have had a record quarter on quarter and see no reason to change anything at the moment,” he said.
Bhavesh Patel, commercial director at Ingram, said: “We have a strong focus on the SME space which is key for SonicWall. Initially we will be focusing on reseller recruitment and we have at least 800 resellers that we want to target. We are confident that we can bring something new to the SonicWall market and provide value to our resellers.”
Jason Hill, sales director at Tekdata – SonicWall’s largest UK distributor, appeared to be unconcerned about Ingram joining the vendor’s distribution ranks.
“SonicWall’s business is expanding and there has to be enough people in the channel to supply customers lower down the chain,” he said. “Ingram already has a relationship with SonicWall in the US and Europe and this is obviously part of a broader worldwide strategy.
“We are a value-added distributor and Ingram is a broadliner – so Ingram coming on board certainly does not concern me.”