Distribution Watch: Tech Data, Ingram Micro, Avnet

Happy Thursday, and once again thanks for stopping by for your weekly update on your favorite IT distributors. This week we're turning the spotlight on Tech Data (TECD), Ingram Micro (IM) and Avnet (AVT).

Tech Data: Tech Data will now distribute the ConnectWise CloudConsole to partners in the United States via its Tech Data Cloud business unit, according to a recent announcement. The deal will also enable partners to purchase Microsoft Office 365 subscriptions directly from the Tech Data Cloud Solutions Store by using CloudConsole, the company said.

"Tech Data Cloud is focused on simplifying the cloud for our solution providers, and our integration with ConnectWise CloudConsole is an innovative way to help accelerate their journeys to becoming CSPs," said Stacy Nethercoat, vice president, Tech Data Cloud, Americas at Tech Data, in a statement. “Tech Data's strong relationship with Microsoft and deep knowledge of its products, as well as our dedicated cloud specialists that can assist with training and implementation, creates a streamlined buying experience for our partner community."

Tech Data also announced that it has begun offering extended warranty attach services on Brother’s print portfolio through an extension of its existing agreement with the company. Resellers can access these repairs via the Tech Data Warranty Attach Plus service, according to the distributor.

Ingram Micro: Ingram Micro will distribute Singapore-based Dropsuite’s flagship website and database backup solution to SMB partners in North America, the distributor announced earlier this month. The solution, called Dropmysite, can be accessed through the Ingram Micro Cloud Marketplace and will be available in addition to Microsoft Office 365, Dropbox, Cisco WebEx and RingCentral, according to the announcement.

“Dropsuite's backup platform caters to the growing needs of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to safeguard their digital assets from IT threats,” said Ridley Ruth, COO of Dropsuite. “This partnership marks a major milestone for our business as it enables seamless delivery of our backup and recovery solutions to SMBs via the Cloud Marketplace."

In other news, Ingram Micro has also partnered with Neonode (NEON) to distribute the company’s AirBar devices in North America. The deal is expected to make Neonode’s touch and gesture-sensing solutions available to a wider group of channel partners.

Avnet: Avnet partners can now purchase VMware on IBM Cloud through the Avnet Cloud Marketplace, according to an announcement made this week. The deal is currently available to Avnet partners in North America only.

All current Avnet/SoftLayer partners can purchase VMware technologies via their existing Avnet/SoftLayer agreements, according to the official press release. New partners must set up a relationship with Avnet through the distributor’s Cloud Marketplace before they can purchase VMware solutions.

“VMware solutions on the IBM Cloud represents a significant milestone because it brings two industry giants together to deliver the next generation of hybrid cloud computing solutions for the benefit of our partners,” said Tony Madden, senior vice president and supplier business executive, Avnet Technology Solutions, Global. “This new offering enables our partners to help their customers easily embrace the cloud while preserving their existing investments and creating new business opportunities.”