VMware signs second Aussie disti

According to Paul Harapin, managing director of VMware A/NZ, the move is an attempt to increase the reach of VMware products, services and support in this region via the distributor’s reseller network.

“itX will add significant value to VMware’s business through greater channel coverage and expanded reach into new markets. It gives VMware access to a broader skilled reseller base, so that we can continue to get VMware’s leading virtualisation solution into the hands of more customers to help them reduce the costs of running data centres and improve their reliability and uptime,” said Harapin.

itX currently distributes VMware desktop solutions, however the deal will enable the company to offer VMware’s entire virtualisation portfolio.

“Importantly, itX also brings products and solution sales that are complementary to VMware’s line of desktop and server products,” said Harapin.

According to Harapin, the move is part of the vendor’s plans for expansion in Australia and claimed that in 2008 it would be pursuing a channel coverage strategy to realise this goal.

“VMware sought a leading distributor who could demonstrate its ability to recruit, develop and enable new VMware partners, which in turn allows VMware to continue to demonstrate its industry leading virtualisation solutions to new audiences. itX also brings strong and unique channel programs to support these efforts,” added Harapin.

Greg Newham, general manager of itX, said: "We are extremely thrilled to distribute the full VMware product range. This is a very exciting technology for us and something we’ve been actively pursuing for the past two years.

“A number of our key vendors have already formed global alliances with VMware and there’s an obvious synergy between VMware and the technologies that we distribute. The market is still rapidly expanding and we’re seeing more and more opportunity for us to introduce VMware to our existing reseller base."

Newham added that itX has already spoken to a number of partners who are keen for the distributor to help them build a virtualisation practice.