IBM Dumps Synnex As System X Distributor

Synnex can still carry IBM System x products through January 16, 2009, according to an e-mail that IBM sent to solution providers Friday.

The e-mail, signed by Ayman Antoun, IBM's vice president, Business Partners, Americas, did not disclose the motive behind ending of the relationship, nor shed light on further channel relationship changes except to say that System x products are still available through Arrow Electronics, Avnet, Ingram Micro and Tech Data.

IBM did not return calls seeking comment. Synnex Kevin Murai, co-CEO at Synnex, was traveling internationally and unavailable for immediate comment.

The text of the letter obtained by Everything Channel includes the following:

"Effective January 19, 2009, Synnex will no longer be approved as a Distributor of IBM System x and related products and IBM Services associated with the marketing of System x. IBM Remarketers can continue to place orders with Synnex through January 16, 2009 and IBM will continue to process and ship these orders according to normal IBM terms and conditions. Synnex will continue to be approved as a Distributor for the other IBM products and services that Synnex is currently approved to market.

"IBM Resellers, Solution Providers and Systems Integrators that have acquired System x and related products and IBM Services from Synnex can continue to acquire these products and services from any of the other IBM Distributors approved to remarket these products and services.

"Questions to IBM should be directed to IBM PartnerWorld Contact Services at 800-426-9990."

In Synnex's own letter to solution providers, Peter Larocque, president of U.S. distribution, said the distributor will continue to sell other IBM products and services.

"Our first priority is taking care of you, our loyal customer. Synnex will continue to fulfill orders for IBM System X products based on our agreement with IBM. We are taking active measures to preserve your sales, help you meet your business commitments, and maintain business continuity during this transitional period," Larocque wrote in the letter obtained by Everything Channel.