Avnet brushes off Tandberg axe

Distributor points to Avaya success after Cisco trims UK distribution line-up for recent acquisition

Avnet Technology Solutions has taken its parting of the ways with video vendor Tandberg on the chin and stressed that its Avaya partnership provides ample unified communications (UC) opportunities.

Tandberg was acquired by Cisco in April last year. ChannelWeb understands the videoconferencing player's existing distributor and reseller contracts will be switched to new Cisco agreements at the end of this month.

TDAzlan, which already serves as a Cisco distributor, and Avnet, which does not, were Tandberg's incumbent UK distribution partners when the buyout took place. Cisco has chosen to stick with what it knows, keeping TDAzlan in place and opting to end its brief relationship with Avnet. It is as yet unclear if and when the networking giant's other distributors will gain access to Tandberg's wares.

Keith Robinson, EMEA PBG leader at Avnet TS, brushed off the news and claimed the distributor's UC proposition remains very strong. He pointed to Avnet's Avaya partnership, which was recently expanded into Ireland, Poland and the Czech Republic.

"We are very pleased with the opportunities we have to support UC partners via our relationship with Avaya," he explained. "Avnet will continue to drive growth for the newly released Avaya collaborative working tools – Avaya Aura – through our dedicated UC team."