Sphinx CST dropped as Esker distributor

Esker has axed Sphinx CST as a distributor after it failed to deliver the level of focus and specialisation required by the middleware vendor.

The software developer will now supply its products exclusively through Open Computing and Interquad. The French software vendor has been with Sphinx CST since 1990.

Bashrat Din, managing director of Esker, insisted the decision to terminate the agreement with Sphinx CST was mutual, but said: 'A vendor needs certain value add services from a distributor that it hasn't got the time or resources to do itself, such as marketing, lead generation and technical support.'

'Over time, Sphinx has matured and is moving towards a volume model. We want innovative, specialist distributors and are not interested in broadline distribution,' added Din.

Mike Briercliffe, joint managing director of Sphinx CST, confirmed Esker 'would not be a long-term partner'. 'We have other products in the same area so we'll concentrate on those,' he said. Briercliffe refused to comment further on the reasons behind the split.

As part of the distribution rejig, Interquad will distribute Esker's thin client-to-host products, while Open Computing will handle its PC-to-host and Web-to-host products. Open Computing will also supply Esker's fax automation software, Faxgate.