Distribution Watch: Westcon Group, Tech Data, Arrow Electronics

Hello everyone, and welcome to Distribution Watch. This week we’ve got the latest updates from our friends at WestconGroup, Tech Data (TECD) and Arrow Electronics (ARW).

WestconGroup: WestconGroup has entered into a distribution agreement with Guidance Software to offer its EnCase cybersecurity portfolio. EnCase security solutions deliver analytics to detect threats and allow users to remediate issues through incidence response, according to the company.

“As a leader in security, Westcon is committed to arming our security solution providers with products that are effective in today's threat environment,” said Warren, vice president of Westcon Security Practice, in a statement. “Guidance Software enhances our critical endpoint security portfolio, which addresses one of the fastest growing and most vulnerable threat vectors our end users are facing today."

In other WestconGroup news, Comstor, the Cisco Systems-focused unit of WestconGroup, announced a distribution agreement with storage vendor X-IO Technologies. The data center-focused deal is designed to give resellers access to X-IO’s Intelligent Storage Element product suite.

"Enterprise Storage plays a vital role in data center architecture and X-IO has demonstrated the unique ability to overcome the most challenging data storage issues with their patented ISE storage arrays,” said Geoff Fancher, senior vice president of Comstor US. “This partnership further strengthens the Comstor offering by adding a key complementary component to our Cisco ecosystem-oriented product portfolio."

Tech Data: Tech Data has promoted Helen Harwood to pricing and program manager, according to PCR-Online. Harwood will oversee the company’s public sector pricing details and keep information up-to-date for resellers targeting vertical markets, according to the announcement.

Harwood has more than 12 years of experience working in both public and commercial business, and has worked for Tech Data since 2011 as a project manager. Tech Data touted her appointment as an indication of its dedication to support public sector-centric partners.

“Tech Data is very committed to driving public sector business for partners and it is vitally important that we keep our customers informed and up-to-date on the very latest offers and pricing, so that they can be certain they have the most competitive bid available,” said Harwood.

Arrow: Arrow Electronics has redesigned Verical.com, the company’s online electronics components superstore, to allow for easier access to parts search and mobile capabilities. The new site will also support multilingual accessibility and will feature more prominent information about manufacturers who sell warrantied, traceable parts through the site, according to the announcement.

The site was revamped in May by Arrow’s digital team in an effort to provide users with faster access to company’s parts-search tool. Arrow reported a 30 percent increase in conversion rate for users accessing Verical.com through the homepage since the redesign went live. Verical.com was acquired by Arrow in 2010.

“At Arrow, we work in the world of five years out to help our customers and partners innovate and stay ahead of the curve,” said Matt Anderson, Arrow’s chief digital officer. “We also apply this forward-thinking to our global business, which is why Arrow is making strategic e-commerce and digital investments.”

Thanks for stopping by folks, and we’ll see you back here next week with more great distribution news. Until then, keep on distributing.