Tech Data Finalizes Deal To Provide BlackBerry Devices, Service

As previously reported by CRN, the two companies had been negotiating to bring wireless WAN services to solution providers. The newly inked agreement with Cingular calls for Tech Data to distribute the 950 and 957 BlackBerry data devices with activation on Cingular's Mobitex network, said Joe Serra, vice president of product marketing at Tech Data.

The distributor also is talking with Palm about providing handheld configuration services, he said.

Next quarter Tech Data plans to launch a business unit focused on mobile solutions, which will include sales and configuration of handhelds and wireless service, Serra added. The group will provide expertise in mobile solutions for handhelds, notebooks, tablets and wireless LAN and WAN infrastructure. Negotiations are under way with additional wireless carriers to be able to offer a variety of wireless services.

"People are looking for a way to differentiate themselves, and mobile has a relatively low cost of entry to move into the category," Serra said.

Tech Data's deal with Cingular will provide bundled software and peripherals along with a guarantee of 24- to 48-hour activation times. Each unit will be custom-configured with software and preset with each user's personal information, so the devices will be activated and ready to go when shipped from Tech Data, Serra said.

"That is one of those areas we believe is really critical when it comes to activations," he said. "Especially if a solution provider has a 50-user opportunity. The time it would take to get all those 50 units activated and customized could be five to seven days."

Serra said the commission per BlackBerry unit will be $60.