Broadline duo beef up UK security credentials

Ingram Micro and Avnet launch dedicated programmes

Two of the big four distributors have made moves to increase their security credentials in the UK channel.

Avnet Technology Solutions (TS) today announced the formation of its Security and Networking Solutions (ASNS) unit in EMEA. The division will be backed by a number of Competence Centres, designed to help VARs with their technical and commercial needs. The first such facility will open in the Netherlands this quarter, and will serve as a regional hub for the distributor's security and networking operations across EMEA.

Graeme Watt, EMEA president of Avnet TS, said: "The launch of our new division in this high-growth, strategic market for security and networking is a natural fit to complement our extensive EMEA partnerships in this space.

"By leveraging our resources, value-added services and skills we can help partners enter or expand in this complex marketplace, accelerating their time to market. We will leverage existing talent within Avnet in addition to bringing in new, external specialist skills to deliver best-of-breed, value-added security and networking solutions in EMEA."

Rival Ingram Micro has also made moves to boost its security business with the launch of its IM Secure portal in the UK. The platform will include training materials, information on events, and help with market-development funding (MDF).

The distributor has also put together a Security Partner Programme for resellers, which offers free training, demand-generation tools and materials, and a deal-registration scheme. Overseeing Ingram's security business will be dedicated business development manager Neil Raynor.

Apay Obang-Oyway, general manager for Ingram Micro's services division, said: "We believe in helping our reseller partners to increase their revenue and expand their reach in the marketplace and have made significant investments in delivering IM Secure to them. It's about highlighting new business opportunities and delivering unrivalled support and enablement through continued innovation, thought leadership and demand generation."

Ingram's security aspirations were dealt something of a blow today with news that it has been shown the door by vendor partner WatchGuard after working together for 12 years.