Westcon Security to focus on core vendors

As distributor parts ways with Trend Micro, it reveals that it will not look to appoint a replacement

Bruen: We want to increase marketshare with our key vendors

After an expansive couple of years, Westcon Security has pledged to knuckle down and focus on its core vendors in 2009.

The distributor, which rebranded from Noxs last year, will part company with anti-virus vendor Trend Micro at the end of this month (Channelweb, 5 February) after the partnership failed to gain sufficient traction.

Kay Bruen, UK managing director of Westcon Security, said the distributor would now pour all its efforts into its key franchises Juniper, F5 Networks, Check Point, Crossbeam and Blue Coat.

“In the current economic climate, it is better to concentrate on a few key vendors and increase our market share with them,” she said.

“Last year we grew 102 per cent with Check Point and are looking to do the same this year.”

Dave Ellis, e-security director of rival Computerlinks, claimed Noxs had been over ambitious after it was bought by Westcon in 2007.

“Noxs signed up a number of large vendors and did not add the resources to support them,” he said.

“It has a very small headcount and there are only so many vendors it can manage and do a good job with."