bobanddoug

Westcon Group: The value-added distributor (VAD) of unified communications, network infrastructure, data center and security solutions is the first VAD worldwide to achieve Microsoft’s (NASDAQ: MSFT) Partner Network Gold Communications competency. This designation is based on the company achieving rigorous standards for revenue, service support and customer satisfaction throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

By achieving Gold Level in the Communications competency, Westcon has demonstrated its ability to meet stringent technology and customer satisfaction requirements set forth by Microsoft–providing best-in-class Microsoft Lync-based solutions to customers.

“As the first global VAD to achieve Gold Communications certification, Westcon has clearly demonstrated its value — delivering integrated and customised sales and marketing, pre-and post-sales support, and services to support today’s channel demand for Lync,” said Scott Brown, Senior Director Worldwide Lync Enterprise Voice at Microsoft.

Tech Data: The distribution behemoth has been recognized with an HP (NYSE: HPQ) Partner in Excellence Award for U.S. Philanthropy at the 2013 HP Global Partner Conference.

HP Partner in Excellence Award winners are selected by a panel of HP channel executives and presented to outstanding HP partners worldwide who have demonstrated exceptional business performance, achieved significant overall growth, have delivered innovative solutions to customers, or have demonstrated IT innovation through philanthropic activities in their local communities. Tech Data was chosen for its significant charitable efforts as demonstrated by a variety of corporate and employee-driven philanthropy initiatives that seek to better the community through both monetary donations and in-kind contributions.

Tech Data raised nearly half a million dollars through its annual United Way campaign, benefiting more than 60 different agencies supported by United Way. The company also donated more than $200,000 worth of IT equipment to Academy Prep Centers for Education, nonprofit private middle schools in the Tampa Bay area for students who qualify for need-based scholarships. Additionally, in response to the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., Tech Data was instrumental in providing equipment, services and support that helped ensure the school could continue to function in its temporary location.

Avnet: Speaking HP Partner in Excellence Awards, Avnet Technology Solutions announced it received the HP Partner in Excellence – Top U.S. Enterprise Distributor award and the HP Partner in Excellence Award for U.S. Software Growth. According to the company, these awards recognize Avnet’s expertise in increasing partner sales year-over-year in key growth areas for HP, such as converged infrastructure, converged cloud and software-defined data center solutions.

The HP Partner in Excellence – Top U.S. Enterprise Distributor Award honors Avnet Technology Solutions for demonstrating the highest year-over-year growth. Avnet was recognized for profitably increasing its solution providers’ businesses in 2012 by enabling them to sell complete data center solutions that include high-value services, software and hardware.

The HP Partner in Excellence – U.S. Software Growth Award recognizes top balanced revenue and growth across the software portfolio year-over-year. Avnet significantly increased its portfolio of offerings to grow HP’s software business through the acquisition of Pepperweed Consulting in 2012.

And that's this week's Distribution Watch. Check back next week to see if we've thawed at all. Until then, take off, you hoser (and I mean that in the most sincere way possible).