Colt announces new channel strategy to extend cloud services into Europe
Published by Make Do on November 22, 2011
The introduction of IT distributors to its partner community will enable Colt to benefit from the expertise of a specialist network of IT resellers and will serve to further extend the reach of its VMware vCloud® Datacenter Services to markets across Europe. In addition to which, Magirus will be able to offer its reseller partners access to an extensive information delivery platform, combining network and IT infrastructure with expertise in IT services, networking and communication solutions.
“This new strategic relationship is an extension of our already successful European partner programme,” said Francois Eloy, EVP Colt Communication Services. “Cloud has significantly matured and we’re already seeing increased demand for infrastructure as a service from our customers. By working with Magirus, we will now be able to sell through a wider reseller community with IT background. With its proven expertise, European footprint, extensive reseller community and close relationships with our key technology partners, Magirus was a natural choice for us as we continue to look for new partners with the necessary IT background to effectively sell these new types of on-demand service.”
Magirus, focusing on infrastructure solutions including data centre, virtualisation, storage and security, was specifically selected as Colt’s first distributor partner for its extensive expertise, broad European footprint and close relationships with Colt’s technology partners, VMware, EMC and Cisco. Colt has already forged strong partnerships with VMware and EMC to develop a ground-breaking set of managed IT infrastructure services. Colt was the first European-based service provider to deliver the VMware vCloud Datacenter Service and was named the VMware Global Service Provider Partner of the Year earlier this year.
Christian Magirus, executive vice-president & Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Magirus commented,“Colt’s VMware vCloud® Datacenter Services offering is an important first building block in our cloud services strategy for the channel, allowing our reseller partners to immediately start to build their own cloud services offerings with Colt’s infrastructure service at the core. This strategic partnership establishes an important initial role for distribution and the channel in the future of cloud computing. It’s natural that we partner with Colt as its pan-European footprint matches ours and its cloud data centres are built on the Vblock™ Infrastructure Platform from VCE– which we already distribute across EMEA.”
Colt already works closely with over 600 partners across Europe, developing long term strategic relationships and continuing to invest in sharing knowledge and resources to support the channel partners that sell its award-winning portfolio of communications and IT solutions.
About Magirus
The Magirus group is a leading European supplier of IT solutions. The company’s distribution business is focussed on addressing current trends in the IT sector, enabling business partners to take new technologies to market successfully. As a result, Magirus delivers high-quality software and systems encompassing: data center, virtualisation, storage, secure networking and Open Source. With its professional services portfolio and knowledge of the IT sector, Magirus is able to support business partners and their end-customers in the planning and implementation of IT projects. Its services span demand generation, pre-sales, consultancy, training, certification, implementation, as well as first- and second-tier support from its pan-European, multi-lingual Support Centre in Strasbourg.
The privately owned company, based in Stuttgart, was established in 1981 and now employs more than 370 people throughout Europe and the Middle East.
More information is available at www.magirus.com.
About Colt
Colt is the information delivery platform for Europe, enabling its customers to deliver, share, and process and store their vital business information. An established leader in delivering integrated computing and network services to major organisations, midsized businesses and wholesale customers, Colt operates a 21-country, 35,000km network that includes metropolitan area networks in 39 major European cities with direct fibre connections into 18,000 buildings and 19 Colt data centres.
In 2010, the Colt Data Centre Services business was launched to deliver innovative high quality modular data centres which are rapid to deploy and power efficient.
Colt is listed on the London Stock Exchange (COLT). Information about Colt and its services can be found at www.colt.net.
VCE and Vblock are registered trademarks or trademarks of VCE Company LLC or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners.
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