Ingram adds vendors to online programme

Broadline distributor Ingram Micro has revealed that online licensing is now responsible for over 40 per cent of its overall licensing business just six months after the programme's launch.

Broadline distributor Ingram Micro has revealed that online licensing is now responsible for over 40 per cent of its overall licensing business just six months after the programme's launch.

The company has also added mid-market customer relationship management software vendor Interact, which is now owned by Sage, to its existing online catalogue. The catalogue already includes Microsoft, Lotus, PowerQuest, Adobe and Symantec.

Peter Nevison, Ingram's category manager, said he was pleased with the uptake of its online licensing service, LicenceLink, which went live on 2 October.

"It has given the whole business a boost. It is considerably cheaper than buying boxed product and it is one of the areas I would not expect to be affected by the current economic downturn," he said.

Nevison added that Ingram is also in negotiation with three unnamed vendors it hopes to add to the service in the next few months.

In January, Ingram reported that LicenceLink sales had risen to nearly 30 per cent of total licensing orders, but again stressed that the unit's continued growth would not mean cuts from its traditional sales team.

Resellers still enjoyed placing orders over the phone and receiving the personal touch, said Nevison.

Earlier this month, Computer 2000 (C2000) increased the functionality of its InTouch online licence software by adding features such as Favorites, Email and upgraded Help. Nigel Judd, general manager of marketing, said the scheme was still growing and that C2000 expected to add two further vendors.

Also published in Computer Reseller News