Distribution Watch: Tech Data, Avnet

Never fear, Distribution Watch is here! In this episode, our weekly wallop of rock’em, sock'em channel news features Tech Data (TECD) and Avnet (AVT). Face front, true believers, and read on for more.

Tech Data: Tech Data signed a distribution deal with 3D-printing magnate MakerBot, making Tech Data the only distributor in North America to to represent the company’s 3D printing and scanning products for the next 12 months, according to the distributor.

“Partnering with Tech Data is an exciting opportunity for MakerBot to expand the reach of our 3D printing, scanning and software solutions,” noted Mark Schulze, vice president of Sales for MakerBot, in a prepared statement. “With a solid understanding of how quickly the desktop 3D-printing market is growing and their commitment to supporting top-tier resellers targeting the professional, educational and consumer markets, signing on with Tech Data was an easy decision to make.”

Under the agreement, Tech Data will have access to MakerBot’s entire 3D printing and scanning product portfolio, including the upcoming MakerBot Replicator Z18 3D Printer. The announcement marks the first time that MakerBot’s products will be available through the channel in North America; the company previously only sold its products direct or through a number of limited resellers, including Amazon and the Microsoft Retail Store.

Tech Data also announced it is expanding its strategic alliance with switching and routing products provider Extreme Networks (EXTR). The expanded alliance will allow Tech Data to provide additional customer resources, credit opportunities, technical support, sales training and lead generation for its network of solutions providers, according the press release. The distributor said it also will offer new education and enablement resources for Extreme Network’s resellers, such as training sessions, and webinars for solutions providers and end user customers.

"We are pleased to announce our expanded strategic alliance with Extreme Networks, which will enable us to offer additional training, education and technical support to fully enable and equip our channel of solution providers for business growth and success," said Chuck Bartlett, senior vice president, AIS at Tech Data. "Committed to offering the broadest and most comprehensive data center solutions and services in the IT channel through our AIS division, Tech Data is the go-to distributor for Extreme Networks' reseller partners.”

Avnet: Avnet announced it has been named to the 2014 CIO 100 in recognition of the company’s operational and strategic excellence in information technology. CIO selected Avnet as one of this year’s recipients because of the continued development of its data storage management system for the distributor’s main North American data center.

“For 27 years now, the CIO 100 awards have honored the innovative use of technology to deliver genuine business value,” said Maryfran Johnson, editor in chief of CIO magazine & Events. “Our 2014 winners are an outstanding example of the transformative power of IT to drive everything from revenue growth to competitive advantage.”

The winning companies will be honored at the CIO 100 Symposium and Awards Ceremony in August.

Thanks for joining us for another great week of distribution news, and we hope to see you back here next week for more! To be continued …