Computerlinks fills Citrix void with Ericom signing

Distributor claims server-based computing vendor will make partners profitable in VDI

Distributor claims server-based computing vendor will make partners profitable in VDI

Computerlinks has filled the gap left by Citrix by inking a distribution deal with server-based computing vendor Ericom.

The distributor called time on its long-standing agreement with Citrix at the end of last month, claiming the vendor no longer fitted in with the direction of its business.

The firm has ushered in Ericom as a replacement, and agreed to market its virtual desktop infrastructure-enabling (VDI) products to its partners in the UK.

Ericom's products provide systems administrators with secure access to desktops and applications hosted on VMware, Microsoft and Xen-based virtualisation platforms.

David Ellis (pictured), director of new technologies and services at Computerlinks, said Ericom's technology would be a welcome addition to its virtualisation portfolio.

"Ericom's pricing structure means that it is very easy for resellers to make margin on the products and turn virtualisation into a very profitable part of their business," said Ellis.

"The overall proposition is much stronger than the one we had in place with our previous supplier."

In anticipation of its deal with Computerlinks, Ericom parted ways with several of its incumbent UK distribution partners, including Avnet and Exclusive Networks.

Ian Platt, UK managing director of Ericom, said: "We decided to rationalise the line-up to give Computerlinks sole distribution rights for our products.

"We see ourselves as a viable alternative for people wanting to deploy VDI, and will work with Computerlinks to communicate this message to the market and improve our overall go-to-market strategy."

Computerlinks will be recruiting VARs for Ericom, added Platt, as well as reinforcing ties with the vendor's existing partners.

"The Citrix channel will be an obvious recruitment focus," said Platt. "However, Microsoft is also going to play an increasingly important role in VDI in the future, and we want to be prepared for that."