Johnson to expand Extreme reach

Networking vendor's new UK channel boss looks to cement ties with top integrators

Extreme Networks' recently appointed UK channel boss is aiming to foster relationships with global integrators and bring some marketing pizzazz to an arch technologist.

Former 3Com executive Steve Johnson (left) was unveiled last month as Extreme's UK channel director. He claimed recruitment is on the radar, but stressed that deepening relationships with existing partners is top priority.

Johnson claimed that, during his 3Com years, he worked from a list of the UK's leading integrators - none of which had existing 3Com partnerships - and forged relationships with many of them.

"[Extreme already partners with] at least half a dozen, so that is a very strong position to be in," he said. "It is a fantastic starting point, but we can do better."

The new channel boss added that "articulating our proposition" has long been Extreme's sternest challenge.

"My perception as a competitor was that it was almost impossible to move Extreme [from a customer] when they were an incumbent," he said.

"If only we were anything like as good a marketing company as we are a technology company."