Tech Data To Distribute MicronPC Systems

"We are doing the deal with Micron simply because there is demand [among VARs for it," said Tech Data Chairman and CEO Steve Raymund. "It's really not about HP [Hewlett-Packard. It's about offering our customers the broadest assortment of products they want to sell. We've had interest expressed [by VARs in alternative brands."

The move comes as many SMB VARs have expressed concern over HP's PartnerOne program, in which many won't meet the volumes needed to reach the vendor's Gold- or Platinum-level partner status. Annual HP sales to reach Gold are $10 million or five certified HP technicians. Platinum level requires $75 million in annual sales or 15 HP-certified employees.

Raymund said most of the business with MicronPC, Nampa, Idaho, would be in products drop-shipped from the factory directly to the VAR or the VAR's customer rather than warehousing inventory for the vendor.

"That should work to keep the costs low," he said.