Griffin swoops in for networking integrators

ISP lures top-level Cisco and IBM partners

Cloud services earmarked as a key growth area for Griffin channel

ISP Griffin Internet is hunting networking integrators to drive up sales of its multiprotocol label switching IP virtual private network (MPLS IPVPN) offering.

The Derby-based firm has a base of about 500 voice resellers and is looking to build a channel to sell higher-end networking. Last year, Griffin and integrator Logicalis bagged a seven-year, £74m deal to build and run a public sector broadband network across Wales.

Griffin’s sales and marketing director Andrew Dickinson claimed he was looking to work with more big networking VARs.

“We are trying to get the data market excited about VPNs,” he said. “Cisco Gold and Silver partners, IBM partners ­- those guys would be good prospects.”

Partners benefit from a white-label offering and Griffin will work with them to identify and win early opportunities.

Griffin posted revenues of £14.6m in 2008 and Dickinson revealed the firm was on course to grow that by almost a third this year.

Dickinson added that cloud services would be a key growth area for Griffin’s channel.

“In the future, most of the SME market will buy their applications from the cloud,” he said.