Staff & Line sails into English channel

French software firm makes its entrée into the UK

Asset management specialist Staff & Line has made the short trip across The Channel to launch its first UK partner programme.

The firm, which is based in France, launched in the UK three months ago and is looking to recruit up to 10 UK resellers to sell its AssetFrame asset management software and its EasyVista ASP asset management software.

AssetFrame works by sifting through each desktop's hard drive and listing which software is running and which hardware is compatible with what. A summary report is then presented to each customer on a regular basis.

Patrick Dunne, vice president for northern Europe at Staff & Line, claimed that the main advantage for resellers will be the ability to tell customers exactly what hardware and software they are running.

"This way resellers know when their customers need to get an upgrade, which machines are compatible with what software and how many licences they need to buy or discard," he explained. "If hardware upgrades are required, resellers can then recommend their own channel partners."

The company is aiming AssetFrame at firms with fewer than 7000 desktops, and EasyVista at at those with fewer than 500.

"Because asset management is still a developing area, there are not that many resellers operating in that space at the moment. Competition is minimal and there is plenty of margin to be had," Dunne claimed.

Partners will have to complete technical training and then sit a final test to qualify. Once qualified the company's name will be added to the Staff & Line website.

Amie Richmond, marketing director at independent asset management reseller Ensign Consulting UK, which is in partnership talks with Staff & Line, said: "In the past, asset management has not been one of the must-have applications for businesses, but now the cost savings are immense and customers seem far more aware of it.

"The number of inquiries we have had from customers regarding the software has been immense, which shows asset management is definitely a positive and expanding market."