Magirus config to slash lead times

Distributor is first to gain UCS B-Series Authorised Configurator status

Magirus claims its ability to configure Cisco B-Series servers will allow resellers to avoid lead time headaches.

Magirus became Cisco’s first European distribution partner to gain configuration certification for the vendor’s Unified Computing System (UCS) C-Series rack-mounted servers.

The distributor has now become the first to sew up UCS B-Series Authorised Configurator status.

Chief operating officer Christian Magirus said: “Lead times are very long for this type of product.With this configuration service, we can bring world-class ­technology within five days to all end users.”

The B-Series range of blade servers is the centrepiece of the UCS portfolio and Magirus claimed his firm already has a $15m pipeline on the technology.

After joining the Cisco ­partner fold in February, it now works with about 100 resellers and Magirus hopes the new accreditation will help attract even more.

“The B-Series is the heart of the datacentre message and it is the [first product] partners are looking to if they are ­looking to the server [space],” he said.

Dominique Vanhamme, director of European markets ­distribution operations for Cisco’s Worldwide Partner Organisation, claimed Magirus’ configuration capabilities could help boost the vendor’s standing in the server space.

UCS is seen by some as a lower-end alternative to the technology, but Vanhamme stressed it is “not an SMB play”.

The Accelerating Cisco Datacentre (AC/DC) programme was launched to give prospective infrastructure partners help with demand generation, pre-sales, training, sales and lead generation.

“[Our focus next year] will be a mix of recruitment, enablement and growing partnerships,” said Vanhamme. “The (VME) VMware, Cisco and EMC Alliance will also fuel success in 2011.”