Microsoft plays waiting game

Microsoft will monitor how its distributors fare in meeting resellers' licensing needs before deciding whether to appoint a replacement for defunct CHS Electronics.

Microsoft will monitor how its distributors fare in meeting resellers' licensing needs before deciding whether to appoint a replacement for defunct CHS Electronics.

Adele Knox-Roberts, distribution sales manager at Microsoft, said the decision to appoint a further distributor for its Open and Select licensing franchises would depend on the current distributors' ability to service resellers. "This is an opportunity to revisit the distribution model and see if it's right," she said.

But she added: "If we are going to work with another distributor directly, it will have to bring something different to the channel."

Gordon May, general manager for software at Computer 2000, said there was no need to appoint another distributor as Microsoft has enough.