Avnet UK and EMC launch SMB portal

Avnet Technology Solutions (NYSE: AVT) has launched a programme aimed at promoting EMC storage and back-up devices designed for SMBs.

The Altitude initiative targets UK resellers of EMC’s range of VNXe storage solutions and Data Domain back-up products.

Avnet’s new Altitude programme consists of an online configuration tool that partners can use to calculate pricing for EMC products without the need to contact either Avnet or EMC. For example, if a reseller is with a customer who requests a price for a device to store data in a remote office, the partner can log onto Avnet’s Altitude portal to get a quote.

Lee Bushnell, EMC business manager at Avnet says the distributor is working with EMC to help partners “secure lucrative revenue streams by offering their customers uniform and attractive pricing options while eradicating the need for complex and time consuming proposals.”

He adds: “We believe the next 12 months will see a high level of growth in terms of companies leveraging existing network technology and adding storage functionality to their datacentre environments. The new Altitude portal will give Avnet business partners a distinct advantage in terms of speed of response to such opportunities.”

Partners will receive training on the new portal supported by a comprehensive range of sales collateral, data sheets and product training.

“Offering competitively-priced, high-performance storage and back-up devices for SMBs with minimum delay makes sound business sense,” comments Terry Beale, channel director at EMC. “We are confident that combining Avnet’s Altitude portal with its extensive network of business partners will deliver value and service throughout the channel.”

“In the SMB market things can move pretty quickly,” adds Nigel Tatlock, director of sales at reseller Enables IT. “Avnet’s Altitude portal gives us the toolset we need to speed up the whole quotation and deal registration procedure.”