D&H, Panasonic Sever Toughbook Ties

D&H Distributing is ending its agreement to sell Panasonic Toughbook notebooks to solution providers. The Harrisburg, Pa.-based distributor signed the deal in December 2006, but Dan Schwab, vice president of marketing at D&H, said it was more of a test run that both parties agreed did not work.

"We weren't sure if their product made sense for our customer base. Our small business guys are more into Lenovo, HP, Acer," said Schwab. "It was never a lot of business. It's been known for a while."

Schwab said D&H continues to carry other Panasonic product families including video cameras and surveillance equipment.

"They wanted to give it a shot. We told them we would even though ultimately it might not be a product fit for our customers. It was not the right long-term decision. I'd hate for it to be perceived as negative. It's really two channel partners that gave it a test and will walk away as friends," Schwab said.