SMC Networks South Africa signs up Channel Data

SMC Networks South Africa, local supplier of the globally established network brand, has confirmed a distribution agreement with Channel Data, a specialist distributor supplying IT infrastructure products including networking, security, storage and power solutions.

The partnership was formalised recently and allows for the assimilation and distribution of SMC Networks solutions into the Channel Data offering – specifically that which is targeted at the growing small-to-medium enterprise market segment.

“Due to growth of our SME business focus, we needed to extend our portfolio of offerings to enable us to provide SME Resellers with one point of contact for infrastructure solutions. We approached a number of manufacturers, and took into consideration the brand positioning, supportability, and price positioning to find offerings that we believed would have rapid adoption in the market and meet our required growth goals,” explains Mike Hamilton, Managing Director, Channel Data.

“SMC fits in well, complementing our existing networking offerings which are predominantly aimed at larger enterprise requirements,” he says.

SMC Networks South Africa and Channel Data see value in the burgeoning SME market space and it is this shared focus that has formed the basis of the agreement.

“SMC Networking offerings, together with our existing Security, Power and Storage offerings, enable Channel Data to offer a full infrastructure portfolio that addresses the needs of the small to medium enterprise sector including switching, routing, security, wireless, VoIP, primary and backup storage, as well as full standby and emergency power requirement,” adds Hamilton.

Paul Luff, country manager, SMC Networks South Africa, describes the partnership as significant and believes it will add immense value to the local channel and ultimately to businesses and operators that are growing and require the necessary reliable networking support and services.

“For some time now SMC Networks has emphasized user education and skills development with the introduction of several cost effective and efficient initiatives. The purpose of this drive is to elevate general knowledge around the network, related infrastructure and its role in critical business development. We believe that we have in Channel Data a credible and established partner with a proven track record in the distribution of evolving network solutions and infrastructure that will meet a growing demand within key market segments,” says Luff.

SMC Networks South Africa, via its distributors, supplies an extensive range of product to a broad market – comprising operations of various sizes. Its strategy in distribution falls in line with linking up the requirements of the market with focus areas of its distribution partners.

“In this case there was a clear synergy in addressing requirements in the mid-market segment. At this stage we are still in the process of confirming the products that will form part of the Channel Data offering, but what I can say is that there is interest in wireless switches, security and ADSL amongst other areas,” adds Luff.

Gloria Ferreira