Avnet looks to help Palo Alto partners grow into datacentre

Distributor eyes market growth after confirming it has signed as security vendor's second UK distributor

Avnet Technology Solutions has confirmed it is to take on the mantle as Palo Alto Networks' second UK distributor.

As revealed by ChannelWeb last week, the Bracknell-based distributor is to take stock of the vendor's entire range of next-generation firewalls. Reseller partners can make use of Avnet's SolutionsPath programme, which aims to drive channel sales with methodologies centred on four technology areas: storage and data management; datacentre optimisation and virtualisation; unified communications, collaboration and mobility; and cloud computing.

Avnet will help its Palo Alto partners achieve growth by expanding their presence in the datacentre.

Bruce Hockin, head of business strategy at Avnet TS UK, said: "Palo Alto Networks has innovated network security and amassed more than 4,500 enterprise customers worldwide in just four years, which we feel clearly demonstrates the market demand for these types of solutions.

"Now, Avnet channel partners in the UK can safely enable application usage among their end users. We will work closely with our partners to provide them with the skills and resources needed to develop datacentre architectures that achieve greater performance and security, while aligning with their customers' business strategies."

Avnet will immediately be offering VARs professional services and accredited training for Palo Alto technology. From December, the distributor is also rolling out 24/7 support and helpdesk capabilities.

Karl Driesen, EMEA vice president at Palo Alto, said: "Avnet has a proven track record of providing extensive project support and business partner enablement in both the networking and security arenas. We see this as an opportunity to build additional routes to market with partners targeting enterprise datacentres."

Peter Hannah (pictured), business unit director of networking, security and unified communication at Avnet TS UK, added: "Avnet is investing in significant demonstration equipment, and providing sales training and technical support propositions to enable those new to the technology to quickly get up to speed. We see this as an excellent opportunity for our business partners to create incremental growth and revenue in their mid-market and enterprise customers."

Avnet joins the Palo Alto distribution stable alongside incumbent partner VADition/Exclusive Networks, which has worked with the security player since its UK launch in December 2008.

Barrie Desmond, director at VADition/Exclusive, claimed his firm is bullish about "continuing the growth and momentum we have created with Palo Alto". The addition of Avnet is "a great endorsement of the market we have made", he added.

"This validates what we have done and is encouraging from that perspective," said Desmond. "Palo Alto will want incremental growth from Avnet and it will be interesting to see if they will achieve that. Good luck to them."

Steve Smith, managing director of security VAR Pentura, welcomed the increase in the vendor's routes to market.

"VADition has always been a very strong distributor for launching new technologies but Avnet is a big player with global reach, and this suits Palo Alto's needs at this stage in their cycle. We will work with both," he said.