Greetings, and welcome to this week’s Distribution Watch, our weekly look-see at the distribution space. This week we’ve got news from Jenne Inc., Tech Data (NYSE: TECD) and Condre Storage, so settle in and let’s get started.

Jenne: The value-added distributor of IP telephony, audio and video conferencing, unified communications, data networking and IT security products has entered into an agreement with DATEL Software Solutions, a developer of contact center and call accounting applications.

Datel offers a comprehensive range of solutions from simple accounting software to complex call center management packages. The company is a longtime partner of Allworx and Avaya and its solutions integrate seamlessly with Avaya IP Office, Avaya Aura Communication Manager and other products.

“By partnering with DATEL, we’re creating an opportunity for our VoIP resellers to integrate contact center technologies into the overall voice and data network," said Vince Piccolomini, vice president of Business Development at Jenne. "This creates the potential for new avenues of income for these VARs, while presenting a simple, unified solution for the end user."

Tech Data: The global distributor recently received the "Best Distribution Sales and Support" award by the ASCII Group at the ASCII I.T. Success Summit.

The award was presented to the technology company deemed to have the best distribution sales support in the IT industry. The awards are voted on by the solution provider attendees at the event.

"Partner groups like ASCII … are important to our channel partners because of the valuable member benefits they provide," said Tiffany Embry, director of Product Marketing, Software at Tech Data. "The tools and services provided give channel partners the opportunity to share best practices, leverage relationships to complement their businesses, and gain education and training as they need to enhance their business practice. Tech Data's Software Product Marketing team will continue to be an active supporter of both."

Condre Storage: The regional IT distributor recently signed on with PHD Virtual Technologies, which develops virtual machine backup and recovery and virtualization monitoring solutions. The deal will enable Condre to offer PHD’s purpose-built virtualization appliances, including PHD Virtual Backup and PHD Virtual Monitor, to its network of resellers and channel partners.

“One of our main focuses is enterprise data storage, and a software-based backup solution like PHD Virtual Backup aligns perfectly with that strategy,” said Denny Maetzold, president of Condre Storage. “The combined solution set Condre will be able to deliver in conjunction with PHD will provide customers unmatched value in a highly competitive marketplace.”

And that’s a wrap for this week’s Distribution Watch. Check back next week to see what our friends in distribution land have going on. Until then, stay safe.