Tech Data & Cisco 'Networking Confidence' Seminars to build business

"This series of seminars falls under our 'Build VAR Business with Tech Data' program, and is designed to help resellers add value to customers and take a more vital, driving role in building the adoption of Internet technologies in business across the Middle East," said Pradeep Angeveetil, Cisco unit business manager at Tech Data.

Tech Data launched earlier this year its "Build VAR Business with Tech Data", a year long program that that aims at generating new revenue streams for the information technology reseller channel in the region. A VAR, or Value Added Reseller, not only provides products and software to customers, but also delivers a range of services including consulting, system specification, training, software and even content development as well as ongoing product support. 'Networking Confidence' will create specializations among resellers in security and wireless networking solutions, as well as strengthen their skillsets to offer advanced services to customers," said Angeveetil.

"Networking Confidence"," is held by Tech Data with the support of Cisco and Fast Lane, Cisco's authorized training partner. The seminar series kicks off in Saudi Arabia on January 8th and covers the GCC and the Levant regions. Along with technical know-how, attending resellers receive extended warranty support and upgraded credit facilities from Tech Data. "We are also passing over to participating resellers the entire promotion schemes that Cisco grants to its distributors on this line of business," explains Adnan Al Falah, sales director at Tech Data.

The seminars respond to alarming research results in the region that show that fewer resellers are focusing their efforts on networked systems. The research, sponsored by Tech Data and carried out by Dubai-based research consultancy Paradigm, shows that while 68% of resellers surveyed in 2000 counted networked systems as part of their key product mix, that number has dropped to 51% in 2001. "There are two explanations for the drop; the first is a drop in market demand for networked solutions," says Jon Saunders, regional sales manager for unified channels, Cisco Systems ME. "The second is that resellers do not see enough financial benefits from trading with networking solutions and this is primarily caused by their lack of expertise in supporting the systems," he explains. "With 'Networking Confidence', we aim to solve both issues in providing resellers with the incentive to promote richer solutions to the market, and helping to add to reseller expertise so that they have the skills they need to derive revenue from their sales."

Yasser Helmi, regional manager for Fast Lane ended saying: "It is through team work within the channel that we are able to transfer the knowledge to resellers facing the clients and handling their business. 'Networking Confidence' is an enabling seminar to resellers from them to tap a flourishing market requiring their expertise."

'Networking Confidence' kicks off in Riyadh on January 8th, moves to Bahrain on January 16th, reaches Dubai on February 7th, embarks to Oman on Feb 12th then flies to Kuwait on Feb 13th, lands in Jordan on March 5th and concludes in Egypt on March 7.