INDUSTRY NEWS COMMENT: TUNING UP FOR 2012 Richard Carter
DO YOU ever feel that running your business is a little like conducting an orchestra? Trying to get different teams performing in unison can be a constant challenge. While many departments appear to function independently they all play a fundamental role, equally relying on each other to deliver business harmony. It’s vital to master the complete running of your business
to make sure it remains on song, creating a perfect symphony rather than operating in silos. This ethos is becoming ever more important as the global economic woes show little sign of easing. Listening to news bulletins was a painful experience as the lights went out on 2011 with economic doom and gloom continuing to grab the headlines. Only the most optimistic observer will claim it’s going to be anything but a long road back to prosperity, but you can still make money in these difficult trading times. Although this year is hardly likely to set the world
on fire, the Olympics should give us all a much needed tonic and generate plenty of additional revenue along the way as London in particular becomes the sporting capital of the world. No doubt we could all make a lot more money if the economy was buoyant, but we are where we are, and we need to make the most of it. In many ways, the bleaker the economic picture the more essential it is to have your orchestra performing to its full potential. There’s no room for any off key notes. Today, more than ever, you’ve got to be in tune to succeed. With another New Year upon us, how many people are ready to play their part?
Richard Carter, Group Sales & Business Development Director, Nimans
Finance deal unlocks cash
ICT distributor Micro-P has introduced a new financial ser- vices division to help resell- ers secure more business in the tough trading conditions ahead. The launch of Micro-P Financial Services aims to give channel partners access to com- petitive and flexible financial solutions and the division will work with funders, resellers and end users to maximise the num- ber of deals closed.
Phil Brown, Commercial Director at Micro-P, said: “There are two outstanding features for resellers right now, namely an exclusive 0% finance offer on Samsung systems and a subsi- dised leasing package for NEC systems, both for qualified deals of more than £1k value and over a 36 month period. “Micro-P has direct access to competitive finance from a range of funders for the IT chan- nel, and for end users that fall outside of what would normally be considered a safe risk.” Paul Bryan, Sales and Commercial Director, added: “From the beginning of the credit crunch financial institu- tions tightened the criteria by which they would lend money, making it difficult to get finance at a reasonable price.
“Micro-P’s success is depen- dent on the success of our reseller partners, however the channel was, and still is, being exposed to the cold reality of financial cut backs.
“It is clear that end user tech- nology investments can only be delayed for a certain period of time, and that there is a level of demand pent up in the system that needs unlocking. “Micro-P therefore decided to put together a set of finan- cial services for our channel that would ease those financial restrictions and help resellers secure more business.”
SHORT CALLS
Smartphones are putting companies at risk, claims Ian Kilpatrick, Chairman of Wick Hill Group. To combat the threat Wick Hill has formed a partnership with US vendor Fiberlink to distribute the MaaS360 mobile device management solution.
BE Wholesale has linked up with Azzurri, extending Azzurri’s UC and converged network solutions through BE’s network, including new services such as real- time video, voice and data. Dan Cunliffe, Head of BE Wholesale, said: “Working with Azzurri gives the enterprise market access to our network and services.”
A BPL Business Publication
Editor Stuart Gilroy
sgilroy@bpl-business.com 07712 781102
Publisher Nigel Sergent
nsergent@bpl-business.com 07712 781106
Managing Director Mike O’Brien
mobrien@bpl-business.com 01895 454 444
Business Development Manager Simon Turton
sturton@bpl-business.com 01895 454 603
Production Frank Voeten
fvoeten@bpl-business.com
Circulation 0208 606 7300 ISSN
1366-5243
BPL Limited 3rd Floor, Armstrong House, 38 Market Square Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 1LH, UK. T: 01895 454542 F: 01895 454413
Subscriptions
Subscription rates for 12 issues: UK, £65; Overseas:£80 (incl p&p) Back issues can be obtained: UK £6 (incl p&p), Overseas £10 each (incl p&p) For subscriptions please call 08451 948913
All trademarks acknowledged. Photographs and artwork submitted for publication accepted only on the understanding that the Editor is not liable for their safekeeping. Material maybe reproduced only by prior written agreement and with acknowledgment to Comms Dealer. © 2011 BPL Business Media Limited. Printed by Pensord Limited
Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations 13,160 January 10 - December 10
4 COMMS DEALER JANUARY 2012
www.comms-dealer.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48