Bell Micro Adds Force10 Line
Distributor strikes deal with networking solutions provider to carry its full line. Bell Micro says it sought the addition of the company’s “top of the line, IP-based networking products.”
Bell Microproducts Inc. has signed a distribution agreement with Force10 Networks. The agreement enables the IT storage distributor carry the entire Force10 line of networking solutions.
Force10 manufacturers networking solutions aimed at the mid-market, inc
luding products for data centers, converged networks, and cluster/grid computing. Included in the Force10 line now available to Bell Microproducts partners are the C-Series switch and the S-Series family of GbE and 10 GbE access switches.†
“Force10 is one of the fastest-growing data center networking solution suppliers,” says Gary Gammon, Bell Micro’s senior vice president of marketing, “and Bell Micro’s reseller partners and business development programs are in perfect alignment with Force10’s channel expansion goals.”
While Bell Micro already carries a number of fiber channel-based data center networks, Gammon say, the company was looking for what he called “top of the line, IP-based networking products.”
“This new partnership enables Bell Micro to provide our resellers with the technology to build out robust, high-performance IP infrastructures while also allowing them to expand their footprint in mid-size to large accounts,” Gammon adds. “This was a strategic move for Bell Micro, and Force10 will play a key role in our overall networking strategy moving forward.”
For Force10, the deal represents a deeper reach into the channel. “It’s a win-win partnership,” says Force10 vice president of channels and sales operations Andrew Stewart. “First, Bell is adding to its portfolio a technology leader that provides high performance networking solutions in mission-critical environments. Moreover, Bell’s vast network of value-added resellers (VARs) will realize improved profitability through the generous margins and aggressive partner programs offered by Force10 Networks.”
