Synnex Roundup: New Cloud Solutions And Vendor Promotion App Launched

National Conference Roundup

Synnex recently held its annual National Conference for solution providers in Greenville, S.C., where the distributor announced new partnerships, new applications and more. Here's a look at some highlights. Pictured here, National Conference attendees walk the Technology Solutions Pavilion.

EVault Cloud Backup Added

Synnex announced at National Conference that it had been chosen to be the North American distributor for the full range of products from EVault, a Seagate company. With the pact, Synnex is now carrying EVault's cloud-based portfolio including EVault Endpoint Protection, EVault Cloud Disaster Recovery and all other EVault offerings.

EVault solutions are optimized to perform in multisite, multiplatform environments, making them a good fit for protecting operations in remote office/branch office locations, according to Peter Larocque, president of U.S. distribution for Synnex, pictured here.

"As a part of our larger cloud strategy, EVault's Cloud Disaster Recovery and highly scalable data protection solutions give our customers the confidence they need to offer failproof options, with the added advantage of an operating expense business model, which is very attractive to our reseller community," Larocque said in a statement.

PromoCentral App Simplifies Vendor Promotions

Synnex launched PromoCentral, a new application that enables solution providers to manage vendor product promotions from their smartphone or computer, at National Conference in Greenville.

The application includes MySpiff, a tool that manages multiple vendor incentive programs, and CrossView, which lets users search Synnex's database at a SKU level to see all exclusive and national rebates, according to Kevin Murai, CEO of the Fremont, Calif.-based distributor.

"Ultimately, our goal in creating this application is to increase business productivity for our customers by providing them access to current promotional information while on the road or in the office," Murai said in a statement.

Authorized For SAP's PartnerEdge Program

Prior to National Conference, Synnex became authorized to join SAP's PartnerEdge, a program traditionally reserved for authorized solution providers.

As a member of PartnerEdge, Synnex can offer mid-market and enterprise resellers SAP solutions, including select SAP BusinessObjects business intelligence (BI) solutions, SAP Sybase Adaptive Server Enterprise (SAP Sybase ASE), SAP Sybase IQ, SAP Afaria mobile device management solution, SAP Sybase PowerDesigner and the PowerBuilder application development tool.

"Synnex, one of the first distributors to join this program in the U.S., has already proven success in launching our Sybase products. So, it is both a natural and beneficial progression to continue to grow with this partnership," said Kevin Gilroy, senior vice president of global indirect channels at SAP.

Networking Services For LifeSize Products

Synnex's ConvergeSolv group has developed a portfolio of services around video conferencing products from LifeSize, according to the distributor.

The services now available include mobile video by the seat (purchase only the space you need for less than $25 per month), a demo product program, access to a demo room via video and onsite assessments. In addition, VARs can leverage a team of Synnex employees dedicated to LifeSize to provide pre-sales support.

"[Synnex's] commitment to creating services around products, which help resellers create sustainable revenue streams, is why Synnex is a valued partner of LifeSize and one that will help our shared customers succeed," said Sandy Hill, channel director of the Americas for LifeSize.

Cloud Storage From Ctera Networks.

Synnex has signed a deal to offer cloud-based storage, backup and file sharing solutions from Ctera Networks.

Ctera uses a hybrid solution that delivers LAN-speed access and end-to-end security. The solution includes out-of-the-box NAS, backup, file collaboration and mobile access, according to the company.

Through Synnex, VARs can offer their own controlled and branded managed storage service, according to Bob Stegner, senior vice president of marketing, North America, at Synnex. Solution providers receive access to their own management portal that allows custom service plans, remote administration and central monitoring. Resellers can launch their offering based on the Synnex CloudSolv portal or leverage their own data center for running a private cloud, according to Stegner.

"With Ctera, our partners now have a comprehensive SMB storage solution that allows them to ease customers into the cloud at their own pace," Stegner said in a statement.

Women Talk, Female to Female

Synnex launched a new female networking organization called F2F (Female to Female) at National Conference. Developed as a community of like-minded women in IT, the inaugural meeting attracted approximately 250 women, according to Synnex. Keynote speaker Sandy Hill from LifeSize, pictured here, shared her experience as a female leader in the IT world and provided sage advice on how to succeed and her perspective of the work/life balance conundrum.

A panel of five senior female leaders also discussed the challenge of work/life balance and the group also participated in a service project on Saturday, helping to beautify the facilities at local children's charities.

Customer Contact

Bob Monaghan and Grayson Hayes of Fortress Systems talk with their Synnex sales rep Farehard Farahvashi.

Partner Power

Varnex member Bob Frauenheim of Business IT Source talks with Nancy Gladfelter, a Lenovo business development rep for Synnex, outside one of the breakout sessions.

Dinner Talk

Panasonic's Shantell Black, left, and Sheila O'Neil, right, enjoy dinner conversation with Paul Zoz, president of Bizco Technologies, a Lincoln, Neb.-based solution provider, at one of the 13 different restaurants that Synnex bought out during National Conference.

V Is For Varnex

Varnex members Lester Keizer of Business Continuity Technologies, left, and Robert Urban of Digital Plaza Direct enjoy the Lenovo after party.

The Carrot Principle

Chester Elton, author of "The Carrot Principle," preaches what principles company leaders should emulate in order to create a positive culture that promotes performance. Elton proves his point with solution provider Richard Stratton of Versatile with how accolades and thanks need to be specific and frequent.