24/7 Distribution "positive" about HP's 3Com buy

24/7 Distribution’s managing director Tony Geagea has viewed HP’s $2.9 billion offer for networking vendor 3Com as a “positive” for both the distie and the networking sector.

He was enthusiastic about the tie-up when CRN spoke to him late yesterday.

“I think it’s a positive for us,” he said.

“Having a consolidated position is only going to help HP to broaden its capabilities in networking and give Cisco a true rival I’d imagine.”

Geagea said the distie hadn’t yet been briefed by either party on “what the game plan is.”

He also did not believe the deal would affect some of 3Com’s investment in the 24/7 Distribution relationship, which included the establishment of a 3Com technology centre, demonstration lab and channel training facilities at the distie.

“[The technology centre has] been very successful,” Geagea said.

“Unless there’s a radical strategy to change the way the 3Com business operates, I’d only imagine HP would adopt best practice across both organisations [post-acquisition].”

It appeared HP held existing agreements with all 3Com disties in Australia - Ingram Micro, 24/7 Distribution and ASI Solutions.

Representatives of Ingram Micro and ASI Solutions could not be reached for comment.

HP Australia said it's business-as-usual for the channel in the wake of the announcement.

A spokesman told CRN that "there will be no changes in the respective interactions" of either vendor with its partners until the acquisition closes sometime in the first half of next year.

"After closing, we will work with 3Com and HP partners to determine how to combine and leverage our collective strengths and best leverage our respective partner ecosystems," the spokesman said.

"Information will be available at that time."