Azlan invests to skill up HP and 3Com VARs

Distributor sees massive channel opportunity as vendors' portfolios are merged

Two become one: HP revealed this week that the 3Com and ProCurve brands will die out

Comms distributor Azlan has urged the channel to act fast to cash in on the opportunities arising from HP's acquisition of 3Com.

The deal was closed earlier this month and Azlan, which distributes both vendors, claimed both channels should start work on skilling up on the expanded portfolio. HP confirmed this week that 3Com and its own ProCurve networking brand would be phased out, to be replaced by an all-encompassing HP Networking unit.

Azlan claims its expertise across both vendors' portfolios puts it in the perfect position to help VARs looking to branch out. The Tech Data-owned distributor indicated that it is making serious investments in educational resources for the channel. Azlan UK's director for converged infrastructure Mark Walker claimed HP's converged networking kit would prove particularly popular.

“The coming together of the HP Procurve and 3Com product lines has great potential for channel partners," he added. "Both companies have exceptional technologies and their respective skills in high performance networking, wireless technologies, unified communications and security complement each other very well.

"There will be significant potential with existing customers and potential to drive new business. Azlan will be leading the way in helping partners identify and maximise new opportunities for growth.”