Tech Data (NASDAQ:TECD) announced this week that it has joined the Virtual Computing Environment Company (VCE) that was started by Cisco, EMC and VMware.The distributor is banking on a huge uptick in the converged infrastructure market and believes that VCE has one of the best cloud models on the market to help channel partners get their V Block solutions to market quicker and at less cost.
The VCE V Block infrastructure platform compiles networking, storage, virtualization, security and management technologies from the three founding companies into one solution for a converged infrastructure system. The key here for Tech Data and its channel partners is that these V Block solutions are pre-validated out of the box. This gives solution providers speed to market in a very complex area.
Chuck Bartlett, vice-president and general manager of Advance Infrastructure Solutions (AIS) at Tech Data, said VCE delivers a comprehensive converged infrastructure platform, incorporating the best technologies of three of Tech Data’s trusted vendor partners, and increases Tech Data’s overall capability in the data centre.
The distributor is also allowing VARs to engage in StreamOne, a software license, electronic download amd cloud services resale online solutions store. Tech Data believes StreamOne can cut through the multiple pricing tiers, complex licensing rules, and thousands of product SKU options.
StreamOne’s Software License Selector guides resellers through purchasing the solution they need. The StreamOne Solution Store will offer niche products and cloud services and enable customers to receive one invoice.
Synnex Canada gets into gaming
Synnex Canada this week was appointed as the national distributor for the complete line of Nintendo manufactured and developed hardware, accessories and game packs. This agreement makes products such as the Nintendo 3DS portable gaming system, Mario Kart 7 for Nintendo 3DS, and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for the Wii console available to Canadian retailers that have partnered with Synnex.
Synnex Canada president Mitchell Martin said gaming is a strategic market for the distributor, especially as the gaming console becomes the entertainment hub of the home.
Nintendo will have four distribution centres throughout Canada for retailers and the company believes this will provide them with better efficiencies and cost certainty.
Retailers also can drop-ship orders directly to their customers through Synnex Canada’s online ordering tool. The distributor will also create bundles and in-store displays to help retailers differentiate themselves.
Arrow Electronics Inc. (NYSE:ARW) announced this week that it has agreed to acquire TechTurn Ltd. a provider of electronics asset disposition (EAD) services that specializes in the processing and sale of technology devices that are returned or recycled from businesses and consumers.
TechTurn offers asset retirement, data wipe, asset test and diagnostics, data sanitation, refurbishment and re-marketing. TechTurn has an office in Canada along with locations in Texas, Virginia and Europe.
Paul J. Reilly, executive vice-president, finance and operations and chief financial officer of Arrow, said we are very excited to have the TechTurn team join the Arrow family. TechTurn has 135 employees with sales of more than $50 million. The deal is expected to close in the next 45 days.
Finally, the Services Division of Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE: IM) announced Axcient has joined the Ingram Micro Cloud vendor portfolio and is offering its unified platform for backup, business continuity and disaster recovery to Ingram Micro channel partners in the U.S.
Axcient’s all-in-one solution is purpose-built for the needs of SMBs and the distributor claims it will be ready for the Canadian market soon.