IT Distributor-Vendor Deals: Avnet Adds RSA, Synnex Picks Up Force10

New Products Available From IT Distributors

From security to digital signage to mobile activations, there has been no shortage of agreements between IT distributors and vendors to bring more solutions to VARs.

Here's a roundup of some of the most recent deals.

Avnet Adds RSA Security Solutions

Avnet Technology Solutions has signed an agreement to distribute RSA's security solutions in the U.S. and Canada.

The offerings will be available through Avnet's SecurePath practice, which has enablement programs and dedicated resources to help incorporate RSA into data center security strategies, according to Avnet.

"RSA's technology is a perfect complement to Avnet’s full portfolio of data center solutions. In addition, RSA is a critical component of the VCE Vblock for securing the virtual data center. Avnet fully supports Vblock through our distribution relationships with Cisco, EMC and VMware," said Scott Look, vice president and general manager, Technology Infrastructure Solutions, Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas.

Tech Data, Brightstar Join On Mobile Activation Initiative

Tech Data and Brightstar have joined forces to launch a venture called Activate IT to make it easier for VARs to activate services on mobile devices, according to the companies.

ActivateIT is a centralized and customized Platform-as-a-Service that is offered under the brand name TDMobility, according to Tech Data. TDMobility powered by ActivateIT will provide services that include helping VARs with activation and renewal processes, accessories, technical support, billing management, asset management, and training and installation services, according to Tech Data.

Synnex Adds Force10 Networks

Synnex is now carrying Ethernet networking products from Force10 Networks. VARs now have access to Force10’s entire line of products through Synnex, ranging from top-of-rack to chassis offerings to support 1, 10 and 40 Gig network solutions, according to Synnex. Force10 becomes the first high-performance data center Ethernet networking solution in Synnex's portfolio.

Force10's products are geared towards the mid-to-large market to support high-performance, mission-critical network environments, including data centers, converged networks and cluster/grid computing.

"Force10's proven scalability, reliability and cost-effective delivery of content from the enterprise or converged network to the mobile business user or consumer gives resellers the opportunity to offer solutions to their customers that are utilized by the most highly trafficked websites," said Peter Larocque, president of U.S. distribution at Synnex.

ScanSource Gets Miked Up With Revolabs

ScanSource Communications, a sales unit of ScanSource, has added wireless audio products including microphones and professional business audio applications from Revolabs to its line card.

The Revolabe products allow VARs to deliver wireless microphone solutions that are rechargeable, flexible, secure and mostly impervious to GSM noise, for use in broadcasting, A/V conference calls, Webcasts and other opportunities, according to the distributor.

Revolabs is a member of Polycom’s Arena program, which is designed for voice, video, and wireless system manufacturers, as well as application providers looking to demonstrate compatibility with the Polycom unified collaboration platform.

Ingram Micro, Popstar Networks Ink Digital Signage Agreement

Ingram Micro and Popstar Networks, a digital media software and services company, have a new alliance for the distributor to carry Popstar's advanced digital signage solutions.

The distributor will help solution providers get certified and enabled to offer Popstar's digital signage products for medium- to large-scale deployments, according to Ingram Micro.

"Working together with Popstar, we've designed a go-to-market strategy and complementary partner enablement program that will help accelerate our channel partners' success within the digital signage category and key vertical markets," said Kevin Prewett, vice president of vendor management at Ingram Micro.

D&H Adds Planar Projectors, Displays

D&H Distributing has added displays and projectors from Planar Systems to its line card. Planar offers everything from desktop monitors to business projectors to home theater products, according to the company's Web site.

Arrow Adds Brocade IP Solutions

Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions is now carrying Internet Protocol solutions available to VARs that do not currently sell Brocade networking solutions or previously purchased them direct from Brocade.

Arrow already distributes Brocade's SAN solutions to VARs. Arrow ECS will provide training, sales and marketing support to help solution providers identify opportunities and sell Brocade IP solutions into new markets, according to Arrow.

"The addition of Brocade's IP networking solutions aligns with our strategy to help our resellers enable and benefit from data-center convergence," said Sean Kerins, president of Arrow ECS in North America.