Phoenix IT Group kicked off Cisco partner programme

Vendor confirms expulsion and says it is 'working with partners and customers to manage the transition'

Long-standing top-level Cisco partner Phoenix IT Group has been booted off the vendor's partner programme, CRN has learned.

The vendor confirmed that it had served notice to the former Gold partner, issuing the following statement: "Cisco can confirm that it has given notice to terminate its agreement with Phoenix IT Group, and is working with partners and customers to manage the transition."

The networking giant also appears to have been swift in removing Phoenix's details from its online partner locator.

Last week the publicly listed IT services player issued a mysterious stock exchange announcement revealing that it had "received notification from one of its suppliers of termination of its supply contract to Phoenix". The announcement predicted that the move could hit Phoenix's annual EBITDA to the tune of £2m.

But the services outfit attempted to put a positive spin on the news, with last week's statement adding: "In the longer term, the board believes that this change will enable it to offer a broader range of services and products to the market."

Phoenix also stated that it is "putting in place alternative arrangements to minimise any disruptions to its customers".

CRN was awaiting comment from Phoenix for this story as we went to press.

Stay tuned for more information, updates and reaction as we receive it.