Sun signs on ABC in channel expansion bid

This move is aligned with Sun's recently announced regional expansion plans and channel strategy to meet the challenges of the regions rapidly growing IT requirements.

A newcomer to the channel community, ABC is a stakeholder and affiliate of Mideast Data Systems (MDS) which is the largest IT group in the region with over 2000 IT professionals on board. Sun also enjoys a successful partnership with MDS in a number of geographies in the region.

As a start-up, ABC will focus on selling and implementing Sun UNIX Servers, Storage solutions , and associated services, and will progress on to leverage Sun's Software solutions.

"Sun is experiencing tremendous customer demand in Qatar, and we have to keep pace with market opportunities," said Marc Heger, Gulf District Manager, Sun Microsystems MENA.

"ABC/MDS possesses the know-how of Qatar's IT market and is familiar with customer requirements. Besides, ABC/MDS has always been regarded by both vendors and clients as one of the few choices when looking at business critical solutions and services. ABC/MDS is also a reputed Total Enterprise Solution provider with long years of successful track record that would help Sun leverage its solutions in sectors such as Oil and Gas, Education, Government and Healthcare. This reach and exposure will uncover lucrative opportunities for Sun."

Chadi Debs, General Manager, Advanced Business Consulting, said: "Although ABC is a newcomer to the channel playground, we have profound experience in various verticals and have proved that we are a major player in the local market. We have a number of customer wins on an enterprise level to leverage our position to be a Sun partner in a market of importance. Our extensive reach coupled with unmatched professional expertise will certainly play to Sun's advantage."

Including Advanced Business Consulting, Sun now has a five strong channel base to serve its customers in Qatar.