e92plus leaps into switching game with ZyXEL signing

Distributor claims ZyXEL's networking gear will be an easy add-on sale for security and wireless resellers

Security VAD e92plus has leapt into the networking space by signing a partnership with Taiwanese vendor ZyXEL.

The distributor has become ZyXEL's fourth UK distributor and has been brought on board to target specialist security resellers alongside the existing line-up of Tech Data, Ingram Micro and Micro-P.

Although the partnership will focus on ZyXEL's VPN firewalls and UTM devices, e92plus marketing manager Neil Langridge suggested its routers and switches could also prove an easy sale for e92plus' security and wireless reseller partners.

"We are doing a lot of great wireless business with Xirrus and Airtight and now we are able to complement that with routers and switches," he said.

"There are good channel margins to be had as it's an easy sale to add to wireless or security deals. You wouldn't necessarily lead on a router but if you're talking to a customer about a firewall already, it's an easy add-on."

ZyXEL's brand awareness in the UK may be a fraction of that of Cisco or HP, but Langridge claimed it is one of the world's top-three router vendors, adding that its products are used by more than 400,000 businesses globally.

Antony Byford, head of channel, UK and Ireland for ZyXEL, said: "This is a positive appointment that enables us to reach out further into the specialist security reseller market.

"ZyXEL has a growing presence in the VPN and unified security appliance sector and this appointment will ensure we can continue to meet demand and grow our business."