Reseller roadshows prove fruitful for D-Link

D-Link's recruitment efforts have paid off as the vendor adds an extra 400 partners to its books

Davies: There is good growth for managed services in the education market

D-Link’s recruitment efforts have paid off as the vendor adds an extra 400 partners to its books

Networking vendor D-Link claims to have signed 400 resellers to its UK partner programme since April.

Kicking off its recruitment efforts four months ago, the vendor hosted five reseller roadshows to map out future plans for channel partners.

With a helping hand from distributor partners Micro-P, Ingram Micro, Enta Technology and Computer 2000, the events gave prospective partners an opportunity to hear about the benefits of partnering with D-Link.

Andrew Mulholland, marketing manager at D-Link UK and Ireland, said the internal sales team, which was formed in March, has been proactive in unearthing new partners.

“The sales team of three has been tracking down new opportunities for us and pointing them in the direction of the partner portal,” he said. “Of the partners that have signed since April, 30 per cent are completely new to D-Link.”

Chris Davies, UK and Ireland general manager at D-Link, said the vendor has seen increasing interest from partners in the managed wireless space. “There is good growth for managed services in the education market, which is mixed in with growth in our green switch technology ­ perfect for schools that are looking to reduce CO2 emissions,” he said.

Based on feedback from its roadshows, Davies also revealed that D-Link will focus more on its surveillance and recording devices.

Bob Tarzey, service director at analyst Quocirca, said: “IP surveillance is a thriving market. Businesses will need managed services to manage the cameras and recording devices, so it should be a lucrative market for resellers.”