Distribution Watch: D&H, Avnet, Tech Data

Happy Friday, and welcome to Distribution Watch, where we round up all the news that’s fit to print to catch you up on the latest and greatest updates in the channel. This week, we’ve got fresh stories from D&H Distributing, Avnet (AVT) and Tech Data (TECD).

D&H Distributing: D&H enhanced its campaign to help resellers succeed in the education marketplace with several new initiatives built around its Chromebook business.

As part of its expanded efforts, D&H is offering a White Glove Advantage Program, which automatically enrolls school districts in Google’s Chrome Management program, registering each unit with the necessary password and information to allow districts to use their Chromebooks right out of the box. With its new asset tagging system, D&H will individually label all of a VAR’s purchased equipment with detailed tags that classify units by school, department, model number, serial number or barcode to ensure schools have an easier time allocating and tracking their new hardware, according to the company.

All of the distributor’s education solution providers will also be referred to NETGEAR’s free remote site survey, which will give schools a complementary visit from a NETGEAR engineer to help compile a list of required assets and connectivity needs. Finally, D&H added a “Chrome Economics 101” template to its Partner Services resource library to help resellers learn about and communicate new opportunities to their education customers.

“The idea is to make it easier for VARs to sell into this environment, to alleviate as many barriers as possible in what can be a complicated marketplace,” said Larry Staub, director of D&H’s education division, in a statement. “We’re finding the opportunity is not just limited to large-tier resellers in expansive metro areas. There’s a significant market for SMB VARs to gain revenues through regional K-12 installations. As a distribution partner, we provide the guidance and resources that increase the reseller’s ability to capture the sale.”

Avnet: Avnet’s Technology Solutions division expanded its IBM-related education offerings through its Avnet Services business unit this week, as the company looks to provide North American partners the opportunity to learn more about key technical areas within the organization. Classes will be offered through Avnet Academy and will focus on subjects such as AIX, business analytics, Java, and mobile development for iOS and Android.

“We are continually evaluating the needs of the technology industry to determine the type of training that is most beneficial in solving business challenges,” said Matt Fox, senior director of education services, Avnet Services, Americas. “These classes, offered through Avnet Academy, build on and supplement the world-class education developed by IBM, and they deliver more in-depth coverage of each subject for an enhanced and comprehensive learning experience.”

Avnet also announced that its board of directors has nominated Avid Modjtabai to stand for election at the company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders in November. Modjtabai is a 21-year veteran of Wells Fargo & Company, and currently holds the position of senior executive vice president and the head of its Consumer Lending Group.

“Avid’s extensive leadership experience in the financial services industry has equipped her with skills that are highly valued in today’s business environment,” said William H. Schumann III, chairman of the board of Avnet. “She has a proven record of driving business transformation that delivers tangible business results.”

Tech Data: Tech Data appointed Heather Murray as its new vice president of Product Marketing, Hewlett Packard (HP) Solutions Group, this week. In her new role, Tech Data said Murray will lead the sales, marketing, technical and supply chain operations to support the company’s full HP Solutions portfolio in the United States.

“I am excited to take on this new role and drive partner enablement across our HP business at Tech Data,” said Murray. “As part of Tech Data’s longstanding relationship with HP, we will continue to collaboratively augment our HP offering—delivering complete solutions, training, world-class service and conception-to-completion offerings to our channel of solution providers.”

Murray is a 15-year veteran of Tech Data, where she most recently served as vice president of Tech Data Mobile Solutions, a position  now filled by Tech Data alum Stacy Nethercoat. Murray also serves as the chair of the 2014 Executive Council and Community Leadership Board for CompTIA’s Mobility Community, according to the company. Murray will report to Brian Davis, the senior vice president of Tech Data’s U.S. Marketing division, in her new role.

If you’re here, you’ve successfully reached the end of the work week and yet another edition of Distribution Watch. If you haven’t already, start planning your weekend (don’t worry, we won’t tell the boss) and remember to keep on distributing.