Aruba Networks revamps its channel program

The announcement was made by Dominic Orr, (pictured), chairman, president and CEO of the company at its Aruba Networks Australia Partners Night yesterday.

Orr said the three programs include a local network initiative to help customers who have no resources to install wired and wireless technology.

A wider area network to help customers reduce capital and operational costs for running a large number of remote sites, and a multi-vendor network management program for customers who have very little budget and need to make their existing platform last longer.

"We are revamping the channel portal to make it more effective for resellers giving them more tools to work with, information, support, presentations and training information," he said.

"We are refreshing it so that the resellers have specific help in increasing their sales potential over the coming months. IT spending is expected to be down this year and we wanted to see how we can increase their revenue against that backdrop."

The company, which celebrates its 7^th birthday next week sells security and anti-virus software including management, analytics and threat prevention, secure mobility software and mobility controllers. It has 650 employees around the world.

At the event, Greg Barnes country manager A/NZ Aruba Networks recognised partners with an awards ceremony to congratulate top performing distributors and resellers.

The winners were;

Authorised Distributor; Andrew Assad sales manager Networld Systems

Authorised Distributor; Wendy O'Keeffe managing director Westcon A/NZ

Authorised Training Centre; Rob Howard founder of Red Education

Most Strategic Enterprise Win of the Year 2008; Daniel Kent of Think Secure

Most Strategic Education win of the Year 2008; Eoin Coghlan commercial director CCNA (Converged Communication Networks Applications)

Partner of the Year 2008; Deni Saupin managing director Matrix CNI

"Receiving the Award for Aruba Networks Partner of the Year for Australia & New Zealand 2008 is one of many indicators that Matrix CNI is moving in the right direction," said Deni Saupin managing director Matrix CNI.

"It is pleasing to be recognised by the vendor because Aruba Networks is one of our focus vendors and we look forward to continuing the growth of our business with them.

"Growing the wireless solution part of the business in the past year has meant growing our internal capabilities to continue providing industry leading services to our customers in this key area.

"Our success with Aruba Networks wouldn't be possible without our customers. The level of business we have achieved vindicates that we are doing the right thing by our customers.

"In the past year we have helped many customers achieve and exceed their business goals in deploying secure and reliable wireless networking to enhance their operations," added Saupin.

According to Orr, the next big thing in wireless will be 802.11n.

"Despite the world financial crisis, you are going to make money with us," he said.

"Our overall market share has gone up 14 percent in four years. We want to be the alternative to Cisco in this space.

"Our goal is to build a premium brand in technology leadership. Everybody can do wireless but not everybody can do mobility. 802.11n is the beginning of the end for wired Ethernet as the dominant WLAN access. Wireless in this downturn is very important," said Orr.