Magirus inks exclusive GFI distribution deal

Distributor holds off interest from rivals

Bullish distributor Magirus has beaten four rivals to win the sole UK distribution rights to security vendor GFI’s portfolio.
The distributor, which set up a dedicated security division last year, (CRN, 6 November) will help GFI recruit additional resellers to help the content and messaging security vendor grow its market share.
Niall McGrane, director of the security division at Magirus, said: “We have become GFI’s first distributor in the UK and are very pleased to have been selected as their partner. Our first job will be to develop a customer base for them, though there is a lot more opportunity to be explored.
“GFI has some tier-one relationships already in the UK ­ around 600 partners ­ but this partnership will allow us to introduce them to new resellers and system integrators.”
McGrane said the products will appeal mostly to the SME side of the market, and said the partnership would have a positive impact on GFI’s existing partners.
“We can deliver better services than GFI can and it will also allow their existing partners to have access to a wider product portfolio. We haven’t had any negative feedback.”
Simon Azzopardi, vice president of EMEA sales at GFI, said: “We chose a distributor that best fits our plans for the UK market, because of its consultative approach to distribution and its expertise in the security market.
“I believe our resellers will find our adoption of the two-tier model to be beneficial ­ both from Magirus’ experience in the market and the support ­ something that is very important.
“As a company, GFI has taken great care in creating a reseller network and we will continue to nurture and ensure that resellers continue to enjoy the benefits of this important move.”
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