Disty Roundup: Tech Data Acquisition, Synnex Goes Digital

Disty Roundup: Tech Data Goes Mobile, And More

It's been a busy few weeks in the IT distribution space, with news from Tech Data, Synnex, Ingram Micro and other companies. Here's a look at some new vendor relationships, services and more.

Tech Data Purchases European Mobility Business

Tech Data has reached an agreement to acquire Brightstar's 50 percent ownership interest, or about $166 million, in Brightstar Europe Limited (BEL), a pan-European provider of distribution and integrated supply chain solutions for the mobility industry.

Five years ago, the companies formed a joint venture to help Tech Data enter the European wireless and mobile technology market.

"Our European mobility business is a key element in our strategy of diversifying into higher-growth, higher-return specialty areas," said Tech Data CEO Bob Dutkowsky in a statement. "What began as a greenfield operation with Brightstar in 2007 is now a well-established, European mobility market leader with sales of approximately $1.8 billion in our last fiscal year."

Synnex Distributes Adobe Digital Media, Digital Imaging And Pro Video

Synnex has signed a distribution agreement with Adobe Systems, under the Adobe Partner Connection program, to offer the full portfolio of Adobe's Digital Media, Digital Imaging and Pro Video solutions through Synnex's New Age Electronics division.

"Extending Adobe's reach within the SMB and retail communities is a significant opportunity for the company," said Lambert Walsh, vice president and general manager, Americas channels and Adobe global services, at Adobe, in a statement. "Synnex has proven success in launching and growing software publisher revenues in the SMB and retail markets, making them a natural candidate for the Adobe Partner Connection program."

Westcon Group Inks Agreement With VCE In Asia Pacific

Westcon Group has signed a distribution agreement to carry converged infrastructure solutions in Asia Pacific from VCE, the converged infrastructure systems company created by VMware, Cisco Systems and EMC.

The partnership complements Westcon's current relationships with Brocade, Fujitsu, Cisco and Avaya, according to Westcon Group.

"As VCE evolves its global distribution strategy, we are working with partners that can rapidly adapt to meet customer requirements for intelligent converged infrastructure systems and cloud-based computing models," said D. Martin, vice president of global channels at VCE. "Westcon Group has the right capabilities, expertise and regionwide presence for us, and we look forward to leveraging their wide range of specialty resellers across Asia Pacific -- a key area of focus for VCE in 2012 and beyond."

Ingram Micro Offers New High-Performance Computing Services

Ingram Micro has launched a new portfolio of enterprise-class computing solutions and services through a relationship with PSSC Labs, a member of Ingram Micro's System ArchiTECHs group.

The relationship gives U.S. solution providers access to Ingram Micro's exclusive line of Artizen High Performance Computing offerings, including turnkey high-performance servers, ultimate workstations and customizable supercomputing clusters, as well as computing integration and software installation services.

Designed exclusively for Ingram Micro by PSSC Labs, the new HPC solutions and complementary services will help channel partners more effectively identify, compete and win additional business when it comes to big data, data center and private cloud opportunities.

Avnet Adds Polycom's RealPresence Products

Phoenix-based Avnet Technology Solutions is now selling Polycom's RealPresence video and voice solutions in the U.S. and Canada, according to the distributor.

The addition strengthens Avnet's unified communications portfolio available to solution providers, according to Gavin Miller (left), V.P. of marketing, solutions and sales acceleration, for Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas.

"Avnet's partners can combine Polycom's open standards-based solutions with offerings from other industry-leading manufacturers in our portfolio, such as HP, IBM and Microsoft, to develop complete unified communications solutions," Miller said in a statement. "We will work closely with our partners to identify collaborative business-building opportunities that span multiple manufacturers' lines and address the communications infrastructure needs of specific high-growth vertical markets, helping partners to deliver solutions throughout their customers' enterprises."

Arrow Launches Cloud Services Portal In Europe

July is shaping up to be a busy month for Arrow Electronics in Europe. Days after announcing it would acquire Magirus, Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions unveiled ArrowSphere, a cloud services aggregation and brokerage platform for the European solution provider community, system integrators, independent software vendors and service providers.

ArrowSphere will enable the Arrow ECS European channel network to resell more than 60 aggregated cloud services, such as infrastructure-, platform-, storage- and Software-as-a-Service solutions. The distributor is also started offering white-label Web stores for solution providers in the United Kingdom beginning July 11, and it will make them available in September in Denmark, France, Germany and Spain, with other countries to follow, according to Arrow.

ScanSource To Report Lower 4Q Revenue Than Expected

ScanSource expects fourth-quarter revenue to be between $750 million to $760 million, about $20 million to $30 million less than analysts were forecasting.

In the year-ago quarter, ScanSource reported $735 million. The Greenville, S.C.-based distributor will report its full quarter-end and fiscal year-end results on Aug. 16.

ScanSource shares fell 91 cents to $29.50 Tuesday after the company reported its fourth-quarter revenue.