Seagate IMG Makes Crystal Channel Clear

Seagate Software?s Information Management Group (IMG) is re-evaluating its channel partners for Crystal products following a company restructure.

But the move could jeopardise the rights of Ideal Hardware and Ingram Micro to sell Crystal, after the IMG division admitted it was considering setting up its own channel. Ideal and Ingram currently have access to the whole Seagate Software range.

Heather McKenzie, worldwide marketing director at IMG, said: ?We are re-examining our strategy and are considering setting up our own channel. The reason we have the likes of Ideal on board is because of the links with our storage business, so we are asking ourselves whether we need to refocus a bit.?

Seagate said it wants to recruit up to 75 Vars with expertise in the database market. It is rolling out a channel accreditation programme with marketing funds later this year.

James Wickes, MD of Ideal Hardware, was bemused. ?I?d be very surprised if it wanted to upset a successful channel, but it is important that any manufacturer?s channel, however successful, gets reviewed. We?ve given it focus because it?s a good product.?

At the beginning of the year, Seagate integrated three business units into two ? merging the storage and networking software divisions ? and created a separate European management team for IMG, in a bid to build more focus on the division.

Sue Lethbridge, UK managing director for the IMG unit, said: ?IMG needs a bright light shone on it in Europe and that?s why we?ve formed separate European management teams.?

IMG includes the Crystal range of data reporting tools and Holistic Systems business intelligence software.