Distribution Watch: Tech Data, Ingram Micro, Arrow Electronics

Welcome back to Distribution Watch, your weekly shot of news poured straight from the channel to your screen. Read on for news from Tech Data (TECD), Ingram Micro (IM) and Arrow Electronics (ARW).

Tech Data: Tech Data has entered into a U.S. distribution agreement with Cisco’s Cloud Networking Group to provide Cisco Meraki’s cloud and managed services suite to its solutions providers. All of the Cisco Meraki cloud solutions are now available through Tech Data’s Cisco Solutions Group within the Advanced Infrastructure Solutions (AIS) division, giving partners access to both Cisco’s SaaS and IaaS portfolios.

"We are excited to incorporate Cisco Meraki into our Cisco Cloud Services portfolio," said Angela Beltz, vice president, Product Marketing, Cisco Solutions Group at Tech Data, in a statement. "The Cisco Meraki product line allows solution providers to enter into new commercial markets and also enables seamless transition when developing a hybrid IT practice."

Tech Data plans to integrate Cisco Meraki into its existing go-to-market and enablement strategy through its joint Momentum program. Partners will have access to several sales enablement-training sessions through Tech Data, with additional marketing campaigns and sales growth opportunities also available online. 

Ingram Micro: Ingram Micro has acquired Rollouts, a Minnesota-based IT services company known for providing on-demand field technicians and rapidly deployable workforces to business and IT solutions providers in North America.

"Adding Rollouts' proven and highly scalable workforce and project management services to our professional services portfolio will further enable our channel partners to pursue larger deals with confidence and look to Ingram Micro Professional Services as an extension of their own IT services practice," said Paul Bay, president, North America Technology Solutions at Ingram Micro.

Ingram Micro is looking at Rollout to help its Professional Services division build specializations within key vertical markets such as retail, health care, finance, education and the public sector. The addition of the company’s services is also expected to give channel partners more technical expertise and deployable resources in their given fields. Rollouts CEO Mark Webster will lead the services practice as director of North American Deployment Services, where he will report to Ingram Micro’s Greg Richey. Ingram Micro did not disclose the financial details of the acquisition.

Arrow Electronics: Some very good news for Arrow Electronics this week, as one of its top-level executives was named to the "Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Technology" list compiled by the National Diversity Council. M. Catherine Morris, senior vice president and chief strategy officer, received the honor based on her leadership abilities within Arrow and the technology industry as a whole, according to the council.

“Cathy is a driving force behind Arrow’s evolution to supporting the complete technology lifecycle by identifying new markets to enter and additional ways to extend Arrow’s value to customers,” said Michael J. Long, chairman, president and CEO of Arrow. “I congratulate Cathy, and all of the women named to this list, for the well-deserved recognition.”

Morris has worked at Arrow for the past 20 years, with a total of nearly 30 years experience in the technology industry, according to the press release. The National Diversity Council noted Morris stood out for her direct contributions to business growth and the strategic direction of Arrow during her tenure, as well as her commitment to mentoring young female professionals within the industry. Her previous roles at Arrow include having served as the company’s president of enterprise computing segments.

And with that, Distribution Watchers, its time to close up shop on another successful week of channel news. Until next time, keep on distributing.