You have to hand it to Tech Data (Nasdaq: TECD). In a week where they boosted net income the broadline distributor showed that they can go deep and wide.
Consider this, solution providers can now access Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) data centre in a state-of-the-art 6,000 Sq.Ft. facility. Tech Data believes this will help further its Cisco business by helping solution providers better understand the complex Cisco UCS B- and C-Series server technology.
In the same week, Tech Data added new 3D TVs and laptops to its line card in the U.S.. The company has a consumer electronics group to increase its business with traditional retailers and the ever expanding e-tailers.
Joe Quaglia, Tech Data’s vice-president of U.S. marketing, said the diversification of the products Tech Data sells and the customers it serves is a key component of the company’s ongoing growth strategy. Just in the last year, Tech Data increased its base of retailers and e-tailers by a whopping 1,300. So the market is there and looks to be growing, while at the high end of the enterprise Tech Data is establishing itself as one of the go-to partners for Cisco.
One of the dilemmas for solution providers today is should they partner with a distributor that can specialize in a few areas or one that can provide product extensiveness. Tech Data is showing that they can do both.
Distribution at Investor Conferences
This may be strange, but why are three senior executives from Ingram Micro delivering keynote addresses at investor conferences? Ingram’s Ria M. Carlson, senior vice-president, strategy and communications plans to speak at Citigroup’s 17th Annual Global Technology Conference in New York; Bill Humes, senior executive vice-president and chief financial officer will bend ears at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Investment Conference in San Francisco; and Michael Zilis, senior vice-president and corporate controller is talking at the Kaufman Bros., L.P. 13th Annual Investor Conference in New York.
By the way, ex-Ingram COO Kevin Murai, who is now running Synnex Corp., will also present at the Citigroup conference and take part in a panel discussion.
The Citigroup conference is very heavy with distribution content because Ray Sadowski, Avnet’s chief financial officer, will be there while his boss, Roy Vallee, Avnet’s chairman and CEO presents at the Deutsche Bank 2010 Technology Conference in San Francisco.
Arrow isn’t being left out at Citigroup. Paul J. Reilly, Arrow’s executive vice-president, finance and operations and CFO, will also be on hand to present at this conference as well as the Raymond James 6th Annual European Investors’ North American Equities Conference in London.
Speaking of Arrow, the distributor signed Syncsort Backup Software, NetApp Storage Solutions and Sweden’s top Wi-Fi solutions vendor H&D Wireless AB this week. Syncsort also signed up Avnet this week.
D&H Contest coming to a close
D&H’s “It’s About People” Sweepstakes is about to end. The contest closes Tuesday, Aug. 31st. In this contest, which celebrates customer service, solution providers can win one of two $500 prize packages. To get more information or to submit click here.
We start with Tech Data and end with Tech Data
Tech Data launched its new Web site a short while ago to rave reviews, but the distributor will be taking it down on the Aug. 28 and 29 for system upgrades. So soon? Or maybe just taking the weekend off.