PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
We round up the latest channel partnerships, distribution deals and more from the past week.
Jabra signs deal with Genuine Solutions
Audio device manufacturer Jabra has entered into a distribution agreement with mobile phone and smart device accessory distributor Genuine Solutions.
The partnership will see Genuine Solutions offer a selection of Jabra Bluetooth®headsets to its channel partners and customers in the UK market.
Bav Majithia, sales and purchasing director at Genuine Solutions, added: “This agreement cements our market leading position as supplier of choice to the independent channel, where we have already seen substantial pent up demand for Jabra’s innovative products.”
Tech Data appointed distie for Spotcam and Polaroid
Tech Data has signed an exclusive deal to bring the SpotCam home security cameras and cloud-based monitoring service to the UK retail market.
SpotCam combines indoor and outdoor motion-sensitive IP cameras and a free online service that can be accessed on a smartphone, tablet, laptop or PC. Users can receive alerts when motion is detected by the cameras by email or mobile app, and watch real-time video of their covered location.
Tech Data has also been appointed as a distributor for the new Polaroid ModelSmart 250S 3D printer and consumables range in the UK.
The Polaroid ModelSmart 250S 3D printer comes with the Polaroid Prep software. Users can import their own creations or any model from the many web sites with free 3D objects, scale and print.
Sage Summit a success
Cloud accounting software vendor Sage has revealed that more than 20,000 entrepreneurs and business builders attended Sage Summit keynote sessions in late July.
The four-day event hosted at the McCormick Centre in Chicago saw 600 product sessions and workshops get underway. Entrepreneurs also shared their experiences, including Sir Richard Branson, Sage CEO Stephen Kelly, Kickstarter founder Yancey Strickler, Ashton Kutcher, Gwyneth Paltrow and more.
Announcements included:
· The launch of the world’s first accounting chatbot, Pegg TM. The smart assistant allows users to track expenses and manage finances via messaging apps such as Facebook messenger and Slack
· A collaboration with Apple to enable Sage One and Sage Live products to be optimised for iOS/iPhone and iPad users.
· Sage becoming the first company to use Microsoft Office 365 as a platform, integrated with Sage 50.
· Showing the continued development of the Sage X3 business management solution
· Setting out a new vision for its global philanthropy initiative Sage Foundation, and also a pledge to help more military veterans transition into civilian life through its Sage Foundation global philanthropy initiative
NG Bailey wins £50m+ MoD contract with Fujitsu
Engineering, IT and facilities services business NG Bailey has announced a five-year, £50 million+ contract with Fujitsu to support its work to transform the delivery of information and communication technology across the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The contract will help to deliver financial savings to the Government organisation over the next 10 years.
NG Bailey will work with Fujitsu to provide core global connectivity services for the next five years.
NG Bailey has tripled operating profit over the past year to £6 million, and increased sales by 12 per cent to £408 million.
Chip alliance forms
With the government’s backing, key enterprises in China’s semiconductor sector have established a ‘high-end chip alliance’.
The founding 27 members of this alliance include Tsinghua Unigroup, Yangtze River Storage Technology, SMIC, Huawei, ZTE and China Academy of Telecommunication Research.
"This alliance of government, academia and industry aims to create a complete ecosystem for domestic semiconductor manufacturers, said Jian-Hong Lin, research manager of TrendForce.
Exertis team up with Airangel WiFi vendor
Distributor Exertis has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Airangel, a UK provider of venue-based Wi-Fi systems and services.
This will allow resellers to sell and support Airangel’s Wi-Fi technology and services for the first time.
Rob Leggett, Exertis’ sales director for wireless and mobility solutions, said: “Airangel is the perfect complement to our wireless infrastructure portfolio. We already provide a choice of Wi-Fi infrastructure solutions to fit organisations large and small, centralised and distributed, Airangel enhances our offering in public facing Wi-Fi adding next generation customer connection, engagement and insight solutions.”
Exertis has also announced its distribution of the LG Smart Hybrid Cooler, which combines a built-in transparent signage display with a cooler. The 49-inch display uses a M+ transparent HD panel with advanced IPS technology. Messages can be managed and displayed remotely with content distribution via the internet or an USB.
Huawei sales rise
Vendor Huawei has delivered a 40 per cent rise in revenue for its first half of the year, with successes in smartphones and networking.
Revenues reached £28 billion in the first six months of 2016, but operating margin fell to 12 per cent from 18 per cent. The company predicts it will generate revenues of some £57 billion for its full financial year for 2016.
Ingram Micro Adds FARO 3D scanners to its portfolio
Supplier Ingram Micro is expanding its portfolio of 3D imaging and technology solutions in EMEA with the addition of professional 3D scanning products from FARO.
These allow resellers to provide a solution that meets the requirements of all applications for mid-range users up to professionals.
“There are a variety of applications for 3D scanners and their usage is on the increase” explained Rudolf Ehrmanntraut, senior manager, business management 3D Technology Solutions at Ingram Micro. "Up until now we have offered scanners up to €3,000 price mark. With the addition of FARO to our portfolio, we have gained a powerful partner which offers our resellers the opportunity to target the professional sector."
Exponential-e targets education sectors with Midshire
British cloud and networking provider Exponential-e has partnered with managed IT services provider Midshire, to develop joint solutions for the education sector.
The partnership will equip schools, academies and universities with the broadband connection needed to support modern curriculums, and also the security package they require to protect their assets and communities.
Phillip Toms, channel re-sale manager at Exponential-e, said: “Our partnership with Midshire will strengthen our ability to enable organisations in the education sector to adopt new teaching methodologies, tools and technologies that support a digital learning environment.”
Trojan improves warehouse management system
Trojan, a company that provides multichannel etail sales and fulfilment for FMCG retailers, manufacturers and SMEs, has deployed its newest warehouse management system (WMS) module.
The new module boasts an application programming interface (API) integration to Groupon, the global e-commerce marketplace and deals site. This allows orders to be received electronically and imported directly into Trojan’s systems. From there, they can then be batched with orders received via Trojan’s other sales channels.
The Trojan system registers the origin of all orders received, as well as the owner of the inventory. Another feature of the new module is an enhanced courier package, which provides similar functionality to that offered by courier aggregators.
Clive Murphy, managing director of Trojan, said: “This is another significant step in the development of our industry leading IT system and allows us to dynamically connect further with trusted partners.”
