MicroScope says: "Cloud Distribution adds storage to the mix"

Cloud Distribution is adding storage to its networking and security capabilities as the channel player responds to demand from resellers for the firm to deliver a wider solution.

The firm has also hired industry veterans Bruce Hockin and Grant Reddin, who resigned last month from the storage distributor channelfusion which was launched last year, to head the division and build relationships with next generation technology vendors in the storage and virtualisation areas.

Adam Davison, director for Cloud Distribution, said that it had been approached on numerous occasions by next generation storage vendors and although it had been very focused on WAN, LAN, mobile and security it had deemed it to be the right moment to enter the storage arena.

"A lot of the resellers we work with do storage and we will be taking new storage products to them and we will add more value to that storage base," he added that it could also be a chance for some fresh relationships to be struck, "There are other partners that might [come onboard] who are highly focused on that area and might not do security and networking."

The storage unit will be run out of the Green Park offices in Reading and be pitched to existing partners as an additional part of the stack that the distributor can offer.

Hockin said that he had already mapped out the emerging vendors in the market and believed there were in excess of 60 that were offering next generation technology that was shaking up the market.

"Some of doing flash, cloud, software defined and they have moved into the market in the last five years. We had a storage market that had become very stagnant...there is now so much new opportunities," he said.

He added that the sort of vendors that it wanted to bring on to its books would not only provide resellers with access to different technology but additional revenue streams.

http://www.microscope.co.uk/news/2240234118/Cloud-Distribution-adds-storage-to-the-mix

Channel Pro says: "Cloud Distribution launches storage business"

Bruce Hockin and Grant Reddin to head up Cloud Distribution Storage after quitting channelfusion

Cloud Distribution has announced a dedicated storage and virtualisation division to be headed up by distribution veterans Bruce Hockin and Grant Reddin.

Hockin and Reddin quit the distribution company they established last year, channelfusion, after a disagreement with the two other shareholders in the business.

Hockin tells Channel Pro: “There was a difference of opinion as to the direction [channelfusion] should go, so we felt it was untenable for us to remain in business so we resigned.”

The pair was then quickly picked up by Cloud Distribution, to lead its new spon-off storage division.

Says the former Avnet exec: “The first thing we’re going to do is talk to the existing Cloud Distribution partner set that may have been buying storage elsewhere. It’s new customers, new vendors, and a familiar strategy.”

Cloud Distribution Storage already has a line-up of vendors that includes Fusion ioControl Storage, Datacore, Maxta and Talon Storage.

Adam Davison, director at Cloud Distribution comments: “The storage market has undergone rapid evolution with technologies such as flash and cloud being real catalysts for change. IDC recently reported that the market for emerging storage technologies is absolutely booming. The emergence of software-defined storage, serverSAN and hybrid array technologies has revolutionised the market with many flash vendors witnessing an astonishing 400+ percent growth.

“At Cloud we see this as a great opportunity and we are delighted that Bruce and Grant are going to drive our storage business forward.” 

Davison says the firm expects to reveal new additions to its storage portfolio soon: “We have had a number storage players approach us over the last few years that have seen how we take new and exciting technologies to market and they wanted us to do that for them. We graciously declined as we weren’t in storage at the time, so we do have a number of ongoing conversations with storage vendors.”

“We’re constantly monitoring the market to find out what the next technology is. What those trends are in order to help resellers identify those trends and solve customer challenges,” adds Hockin.

To make room for the new technology stack, Cloud Distribution has merged its mobile enterprise and security into a new enterprise security unit.

http://www.channelpro.co.uk/news/8801/cloud-distribution-launches-storage-business

CRN says: "Hockin and Reddin to drive storage for Cloud Distribution"

Bullish VAD Cloud Distribution has enlisted storage channel luminaries Bruce Hockin and Grant Reddin to head up its new storage arm.

The duo have joined Cloud - which was recently crowned the UK's fourth fastest-growing private tech company - after resigning their posts at channelfusion, a storage VAD they set up last year after leaving Avnet.

Talking to CRN, Cloud Distribution director Adam Davison said his firm had harboured ambitions to break into storage for 18 months but had been waiting for the right time to pounce. Storage will now become Cloud Distribution's fifth ‘solution stack', alongside LAN & Wireless, WAN & Datacentre, Enterprise Mobility and Security.

"We wanted to make sure that when we jumped into the market, it didn't dilute the momentum in our existing business," Davison said.

"An opportunity came along with Grant and Bruce. We wanted to get into storage, they had resigned from their posts and we saw an opportunity to form a new division."

Hockin (pictured above) said he and Reddin (pictured below) had taken the difficult decision to walk away from channelfusion due to a difference over strategy with its two other shareholders.

"We had a difference of opinion as to which direction to go in and decided to resign our positions in the company," he said.

"There is a huge, huge opportunity in storage and we see collaborating with Cloud Distribution as a fantastic way to get a better part of that. They have a really strong set up and as storage is net-new for them we will help diversify their go-to-market."

One other former channelfusion employee will join the new team.

Cloud Distribution Storage will initially work with vendors Talon Storage, Fusion ioControl Storage, Datacore and Maxta, the latter three of which Hockin and Reddin worked with at channelfusion. These vendors approached Cloud after learning of Hockin and Reddin's plans, Davison stressed.

More storage vendors will be added, Davison added.

"Over the last 18 months, we've been approached by a number of storage vendors and at that point it wasn't appropriate to work with them," he said. "Now we have a dedicated team, those vendors that have approached us are on our list of people to communicate with."

The new team will immediately be able to draw on Cloud's services, including its partner enablement tools, Davison added.

"From a product and services perspective we are ready to go," he said.

CRN phoned channelfusion's switchboard for comment but our calls went unreturned.

http://www.channelweb.co.uk/crn-uk/news/2379480/hockin-and-reddin-to-drive-storage-for-cloud-distribution

Cloud Distribution launches new storage business!

New division will distribute next generation storage, virtualisation and services to resellers

Reading, UK, 5th November 2014 – Security and networking next-generation value added distributor (VAD) Cloud Distribution today announced the formation of a dedicated storage division and the availability of its new storage and virtualisation solution stack.  Cloud Distribution Storage will be headed up by industry veterans, Bruce Hockin and Grant Reddin, and will be marketed via Cloud Distribution as an additional stack to its existing portfolio.  The new division will be based in Cloud’s head offices in Green Park, which means the team can leverage all of Cloud’s services, including its partner enablement tools.

Bruce Hockin and Grant Reddin, who together have over thirty five years of channel distribution expertise, have been appointed to run the new division. The focus will be on delivering a dedicated storage and virtualisation solution stack and services comprising high performance next generation storage technologies within the virtualisation and big data space.  Cloud Distribution Storage boasts an enviable line up of disruptive and next-generation storage vendors including Fusion ioControl Storage, Datacore, Maxta and Talon Storage.

Bruce Hockin, Director for Cloud Distribution Storage comments: “We see this as a great opportunity to be part of a rapidly growing and highly disruptive distribution business. I’ve been particularly impressed with Cloud’s rapid growth, the calibre of the team and its partner enablement programmes.”

The new solution stack is available immediately for partners to take advantage of this new line up of disruptive storage technologies.  The division, which includes two dedicated sales and one pre-sales staff, will focus on growing and supporting storage vendors and partners which means the rest of the team can continue to build on the rapid growth experienced to date in Cloud’s security and networking portfolio.

“Cloud Distribution is well-recognised for bringing disruptive and emerging technologies into the UK. The launch of its new Storage and Virtualisation division not only reinforces this strategy and approach but it also demonstrates to us that Cloud is committed to the long term growth of its vendor relationships.  Over the past couple of years, I’ve been particularly impressed with how quickly the team at Cloud have grasped the strategic importance and benefits of our RemoteFAST™ solution,” said Andrew Mullen, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Talon.

Adam Davison, Director for Cloud Distribution comments: “The storage market has undergone rapid evolution with technologies such as flash and cloud being real catalysts for change. IDC recently reported that the market for emerging storage technologies is absolutely booming.   The emergence of software-defined storage, serverSAN and hybrid array technologies has revolutionised the market with many flash vendors witnessing an astonishing 400%+ growth.  At Cloud we see this as a great opportunity and we are delighted that Bruce and Grant are going to drive our storage business forward.” 

-END-

About Cloud Distribution

Cloud Distribution is a value-added distributor of disruptive next-generation security and networking solutions that VARs can take to market quickly and easily. It currently distributes A10 Networks, Aerohive, Cisco Meraki, Cloud4Wi, Exinda, Lacoon, Lastline, Maas360, Peplink, Talon, Watchdox and Watchful. Its portfolio of disruptive security and networking solutions helps resellers to differentiate themselves from the competition and create new markets to sell in.  The company was founded in 2009 by senior executives with a wealth of experience in the security, networking and optimisation space. Its philosophy is to take innovative, cutting-edge vendors into the UK market by recruiting and working together with skilled, reputable, market making partners.  For further information please visit www.cloud-distribution.com or follow us on Twitter @cloudtweeters.

http://www.sourcewire.com/news/84965/cloud-distribution-launches-new-storage-business#.VFnohfmsWCo

CRN says "Cloud Distribution outgrows offices"

Cloud Distribution has moved into new digs in Reading to accommodate its growth.

The security and networking distributor, which recently ranked fourth in the Tech Track 100 index, has set up shop in Reading's Green Park, one junction closer to London than its old base in Theale.

Cloud director Adam Davison said the VAD had taken on nine new staff in 2014 so far and is looking to expand further.

"We outgrew where we were and were bursting at the seams," he said. "We're now in Reading's Silicon Valley and will be keeping company with people such as Cisco, Huawei and Symantec."
The new base features Cloud's first-ever permanent training facilities and will soon also house a demonstration suite.

At the same time, Cloud has launched a partner enablement portal and a refreshed website, which Davison claimed marks it out from the competition.

"A lot of distributors' websites are really an advertisement for their vendors and I think a lot of that space is paid for out of vendor marketing funds," he said. "With ours, partners can immediately see the tools that will facilitate them taking new products to market as well as understanding very clearly the solutions from our vendors."

All these changes are designed to support Cloud as it morphs from its roots as a Meraki distributor to one focusing on a portfolio of vendors straddling the areas of security, enterprise mobility, LAN and WAN, Davison added.

http://www.channelweb.co.uk/crn-uk/news/2370465/cloud-distribution-outgrows-offices

Get Reading posts Cloud Distribution Business Profile

'Cloud Distribution is all about spotting new, innovative and potentially disruptive security and networking technologies and bringing them to the UK market'

The business: Cloud Distribution, 450 Brook Drive, Green Park, Reading, (01635) 800 410. www.cloud-distribution.com, greg@cloud-distribution.com.

The boss: Greg Harris, sales director, co-founded Cloud Distribution with business partner Scott Dobson in 2009.

What is your business about? “Cloud Distribution is all about spotting new, innovative and potentially disruptive security and networking technologies and bringing them to the UK market.
“We have carefully selected technology companies that we wish to represent and we market through a well-selected and well-qualified group of re-sellers who work with the end-customer [businesses] to create and deploy the required IT solution.”

What products/services do you offer? “Our talented and committed pool of re-seller partners play a pivotal role in Cloud Distribution’s success and our business is geared towards providing products and services that help them build their own profitable businesses.
“First, the technology companies that we represent are grouped into four specific categories. This helps our re-sellers address specific technology challenges that their customers are facing. A good example is the cyber security group of products which includes a range of software to help business fight the increasing occurrence of hacking and data loss that we read about on an almost daily basis.
“Second, we have created an easy-to-use online portal which is designed to help our re-sellers at every stage of the sales cycle.”

How and when did you start you business? “I started the business at the end of 2009 with my partner, Scott Dobson. After 10 years working for Nokia, I took voluntary redundancy and was planning to spend the summer watching cricket. That didn’t pan out so well because shortly after that, over a beer in the local pub, Scott and I came up with the idea of forming our own company – and Cloud Distribution was born.”

How many staff do you employ? “We employ 19 people at our new offices in Green Park. Our team continues to grow with nine new faces joining the company this year alone across all business areas.”

Who are your customers? “The ultimate end-customers of the technology we represent are businesses of all sizes. However we don’t usually have a direct relationship with them because we partner with our network of re-sellers who effectively ‘own’ that customer relationship.”

What sets you apart from the competition? “Unlike other distributors, we opt to work with newer, innovative technology brands that might not be market-leaders today – but through our due diligence selection process we know they have the potential to be market-leaders tomorrow. We work closely with our re-seller community and have created tools to equip them with the things they need to generate a solid sales pipeline, close deals and make money.”

How has the recession affected business? “Since we started our business in 2009, it has gone from strength to strength. In fact we were just placed fourth in an annual Sunday Times listing of the UK’s 100 fastest growing private technology businesses. We know we are very fortunate as the uncertainty has not been this kind to everyone.”

How do you feel about the future? “We are immensely positive about the future. We have just moved to a bigger office in Green Park, we’re hiring across all areas and we’ve launched a new partner portal to support our re-sellers.”

http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/business/business-profile-cloud-distribution-7779836

Channel Pro says "Cloud Distribution steps up partner engagement"

Cloud Distribution celebrates growth, new premises and increased focus on partner services

Cloud Distribution has outlined an active 2014 with a move to bigger offices, new hires across all business units and the launch of both a partner enablement portal, and a new refreshed website.

The privately-owned distributor was ranked number 4 in the 14th annual Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100 league last week, after growing the business 180 percent over the past three years.

Launched in 2009, Cloud Distribution has built upon its initial Cisco Meraki business with the addition of a number of new and disruptive technologies to its portfolio. Its current line-up includes A10 Networks, Aerohive, Cloud4Wi, Exinda, Lacoon, Lastline, Maas360, Peplink, Talon, Watchdox and Watchful.

Says Scott Dobson, founder and managing director of Cloud Distribution: “Our vendor portfolio is solid and our four technology solution stacks are proving a great success. 2013 was a tremendous year for Cloud Distribution and with the efforts we’re putting into building an A-class community of partners, I’m confident 2014 is going to be our best year yet.”

The distributor’s new portal provides access to free partner-enablement tools and services, from building qualified pipeline, generating marketing campaigns providing immediate lease quotes, registering deals, to access to professional support and maintenance services. This includes: Cloud Clarity VAR launch packs to facilitate a fast go-to-market strategy and Cloud Inside educational webinars; Cloud Altitude virtual marketing services and campaign-builder tool; Cloud Cover support and training and Cloud Capital leasing and Crowd and Cloud Club networking and incentive initiatives.

Cloud Distribution also now has a fully-staffed first line support team, which includes a white labelled maintenance and support service, as part of its Cloud Cover Professional services division.

The distributor says it expects to launch phase two of the portal in a number of weeks, where partners which will be able to create their own marketing campaigns – e-shots, webinars etc. – using customisable templates, and access a library of content, including videos and whitepapers. There will also be centralised deal registration, and more sales and technical training.

Meanwhile, the firm recently moved into new premises in Green Park, near Reading to cater for its 22 employees, and allow for future expansion. It also says interest in and uptake of its education and training services has also grown rapidly, and as a result, the new office includes a dedicated conference suite to ensure its partners are up-to-speed with the latest technology developments.


http://www.channelpro.co.uk/news/8686/cloud-distribution-steps-up-partner-engagement

Cloud Distribution continues strong business momentum

Security and networking next-generation value added distributor (VAD) Cloud Distribution is celebrating unprecedented business success in the first half of 2014 with a move to bigger offices in the heart of Reading’s ‘Silicon Valley’, Green Park, the launch of a partner enablement portal, new hires across all business units and the completion of a new refreshed website.

Scott Dobson, managing director of Cloud Distribution said, “Our vendor portfolio is solid and our four technology solution stacks are proving a great success. 2013 was a tremendous year for Cloud Distribution and with the efforts we’re putting into building an A-class community of partners, I’m confident 2014 is going to be our best year yet.”

Key developments include:

A New Home – From September the Cloud Distribution team will be based at brand-new offices in Green Park, the premier business park near Reading and home to many of the world’s leading technology brands. The catalyst for the relocation to bigger premises is a significant increase in staff numbers over recent months, and to allow for future expansion. Interest in and uptake of Cloud Distribution’s education and training services has also grown rapidly and the new office boasts a dedicated conference suite to ensure its partners are fully up-to-speed with the latest technology developments.

Cloud Distribution also now boasts a fully-staffed 1st line support team, which includes a partner branded (white labelled) maintenance and support service, as part of its Cloud Cover Professional services division.

Cloud Confidential Partner Enablement Portal – Cloud has created a single sign-on, easy to use portal that gives access to its free, partner-enablement tools and services designed to support every stage of the sales cycle from building qualified pipeline, generating marketing campaigns providing immediate lease quotes, registering deals, as well as access to professional support and maintenance services.. The content is broken into four easy to identify categories:

• Educate – Cloud Clarity (VAR launch packs to facilitate a fast go-to-market strategy) and Cloud Inside (educational webinars)
• Enable – Cloud Altitude (virtual marketing services including a unique campaign-builder tool)
• Delivery – Cloud Cover (support and training) and Cloud Capital (leasing)
• Reward - Cloud Crowd and Cloud Club – (high-level networking and incentive initiatives)

New Faces – The team at Cloud Distribution continues to grow in all areas of the business with nine new faces joining the company this year alone across all business areas including business development, dedicated sales specialists, pre-sales support, professional services and project management. Key hires in 2014 include new sales specialists dedicated to helping Cloud’s partners land deals jointly with its vendors and last month a new major account manager was appointed to support sales in the north of England, a significant growth region for the company.

New Website www.cloud-distribution.com - Cloud Distribution’s fully-featured website went live in early September and has extensive content aimed at helping its partners get under the skin of the next-generation solutions it is selling. It has been designed to address the needs of Cloud Distribution’s partners, helping them to understand the business value these innovative – and unique - solutions bring to their end-users.

David Silsby, sales and marketing director at Network Utilities said: “In my six years at Network Utilities, I have worked with more than a handful of distributors who often use the ‘value add’ tag to describe what they do. However, since working with Cloud Distribution I feel that we have engaged with a distributor who really understands the meaning of ‘value add’ and has significantly added value to my business as a reseller/integrator. We have been very impressed by the positive involvement in our business development activities and how the Cloud team really gets stuck in with our marketing campaigns and helping to build our pipeline.”

-END-

About Cloud Distribution
Cloud Distribution is a value-added distributor of disruptive next-generation security and networking solutions that VARs can take to market quickly and easily. It currently distributes A10 Networks, Aerohive, Cisco Meraki, Cloud4Wi, Exinda, Lacoon, Lastline, Maas360, Peplink, Talon, Watchdox and Watchful. Its portfolio of disruptive security and networking solutions helps resellers to differentiate themselves from the competition and create new markets to sell in. The company was founded in 2009 by senior executives with a wealth of experience in the security, networking and optimisation space. Its philosophy is to take innovative, cutting-edge vendors into the UK market by recruiting and working together with skilled, reputable, market making partners. For further information please visit www.cloud-distribution.com or follow us on Twitter @cloudtweeters.

Media Contact:
Lesley Booth / Michael Bartley
C8 Consulting Ltd
lesley@c8consulting.co.uk / michael@c8consulting.co.uk
+44 1189 001136 / + 44 1189 001133


http://www.sourcewire.com/news/84367/cloud-distribution-continues-strong-business-momentum#.VBf-Fv10zIU

CRN says "Cloud Distribution shoots to fourth in Tech Track 100"

Cloud Distribution has soared to fourth in the annual Sunday Times Tech Track 100 league table.

The Berkshire-based company, a distributor focused on cloud-friendly vendors, hit sales of £9.6m for 2013/14, with a three-year average sales growth of 181 per cent.

Co-founder and sales director Greg Harris said the firm's success is down to a focus on the company's message and "an understanding of what we do well and how we do it".

"We focus on a fairly select and well-qualified number of vendors and we go to market through a well-selected and well-qualified group of resellers, and we do that through a group of well-selected group of employees," he said.

"It's not being attracted by the next shiny ball, it's about staying true to what we do," he said.

Harris also commented that Cloud "has developed a range of services under the banner of Cloud Cover, and we are going to extend that so it covers all and every vendor we bring to the market".

Cloud Distribution has enjoyed a particularly profitable partnership with its largest vendor Meraki, boosted by its acquisition by Cisco in 2012.

But Harris does not believe that Cloud's success has been merely a result of this partnership with Meraki.

"While Meraki is an important vendor to us, it is not our only vendor and we are not solely reliant on it. Look at our portfolio of vendors and we have 12 vendors across our portfolio and occupy market positions that Meraki don't," Harris said.

http://www.channelweb.co.uk/crn-uk/news/2363923/cloud-distribution-shoots-to-fourth-in-tech-track-100

Cloud Distribution lands 4th in prestigious Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100!

Flies the flag for IT distribution in listing of UK’s 100 fastest growing private tech firms

Reading, UK, 8th September 2014 – Security and networking next-generation value added distributor (VAD) Cloud Distribution has been placed at number 4 in the 14th annual Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100 league. The Hiscox Tech Track 100 ranks Britain’s private technology, media and telecoms (TMT) companies with the fastest-growing sales over three years and is closely followed by the UK’s business and investment community.

Steve Langan, Managing Director of Hiscox UK and Europe, the title sponsor of the league table, commented, “It takes a number of qualities to be recognised as a Tech Track 100 business. Having well defined company values, a focus on nurturing talent and achieving customer satisfaction, and an eye on future-proofing your business are all important attributes. Many former Tech Track 100 companies have gone on to become stand-out successes, and this year’s listing is equally exciting.”

Greg Harris, co-founder and Sales Director of Cloud Distribution said, “We are thrilled to be included in the Hiscox Tech Track 100 league. Our success is testament to the dedication and determination of the Cloud Distribution team and demonstrates that we are fulfilling a real need in the security and networking market.”
Tech Track 100 is compiled by Fast Track and published in The Sunday Times each September.

A typical Tech Track 100 company:
• is generally owned and run by entrepreneurs
• has between 20 and 200 staff
• has average 3 year sales growth ranging from 40% pa to 280% pa
• has sales ranging from £5m - £50m
• around 40% of the companies have venture capital backing

-END-

About Cloud Distribution

Cloud Distribution is a value-added distributor of disruptive next-generation security and networking solutions that VARs can take to market quickly and easily. It currently distributes A10 Networks, Aerohive, Cisco Meraki, Cloud4Wi, Exinda, Lacoon, Lastline, Maas360, Peplink, Talon, Watchdox and Watchful. Its portfolio of disruptive security and networking solutions helps resellers to differentiate themselves from the competition and create new markets to sell in. The company was founded in 2009 by senior executives with a wealth of experience in the security, networking and optimisation space. Its philosophy is to take innovative, cutting-edge vendors into the UK market by recruiting and working together with skilled, reputable, market making partners. For further information please visit www.cloud-distribution.com or follow us on Twitter @cloudtweeters.

Media Contact:
Lesley Booth / Michael Bartley
C8 Consulting Ltd
lesley@c8consulting.co.uk / michael@c8consulting.co.uk
+44 1189 001136 / + 44 1189 001133


http://www.sourcewire.com/news/84281/cloud-distribution-lands-th-in-prestigious-sunday-times-hiscox-tech#.VA2Czf10zIU

The Sunday Times lists Cloud Distribution 4th in the Tech Track 100!

http://www.fasttrack.co.uk/fasttrack/leagues/tech100leaguetable.asp?siteID=3&searchName=&yr=2014&sort=num&area1=99

CRN says "Cloud Distribution takes itself by surprise with sales hike"

Cloud Distribution claims it is on course to turn over £15m in 2014 as its newer vendor signings begin to make their mark on its top line.

The distributor, which was founded in 2009, says it is poised to shatter the £12m in revenue it clawed in last year despite seeing largest vendor Meraki moving into broadline distribution following its acquisition by Cisco in 2012.

Cloud still has access to Meraki but director Adam Davison said the wireless LAN vendor no longer represents the lion's share of its sales.

"Meraki wasn't our biggest vendor last month," Davison revealed.

"All the other [Cisco] distributors are now in play on Meraki but I think it's fair to say the partners still want to buy Meraki from us. The subtlety and challenge with that is some of these partners rely on Cisco products and all sorts of things like rebates and MDF come into play and sometimes the margin is low and we have to gracefully say ‘no thank you'. But because we still have a great relationship with those partners they are taking on board those other products in our portfolio."

Due to the uncertainty surrounding Meraki, Cloud set itself a cautious 2014 revenue goal of £12m but is on course to hit its ‘stretch' target of £15m as new vendor signings begin to make an impact, Davison said.

Cloud counts A10 Networks, Exinda, Aerohive Talon and WatchDox among its more established vendors but Davison claimed its real niche is seeding the market for new vendors. These include Cloud4Wi, Lacoon and Peplink.

"We are now starting to see pockets of really nice orders coming in for those vendors and it's going to be a very exciting second half of this year and early part of next year," Davison said.

"Of all the distributors that focus on bringing new vendors to market, I think we've done the best job of creating a very clear and simple set of tools that help resellers create end user demand and launch the vendors to market," he said.

http://www.channelweb.co.uk/crn-uk/news/2359960/cloud-distribution-takes-itself-by-surprise-with-sales-hike

Cloud Distribution shortlisted for Computing Security Awards 'Security Distributor of the Year'..GET VOTING!

 

VOTE NOW TO DETERMINE THE 2014 WINNERS

The Computing Security Awards were set up to recognise the solutions and the solution-providers which have been particularly impressive in the fight against security threats. Now in their fifth year, these awards are well-known and well-respected by end users and by the supplier community. On-line nominations have established the finalists. We now ask you to cast your votes to determine the ultimate winners.

Voting closes 30th September

The Awards ceremony
The awards will be presented at an evening ceremony on 9th October at the Hotel Russell in London's Russell Square. Click on "Venue" or "Book your place" to learn more. 

 

To discuss nominating, voting, becoming a sponsor or booking seats at the Awards ceremony please contact

Dave Bonner
E: dave.bonner@btc.co.uk
T: +44 (0) 1689 616000

Edward O’Connor
E: edward.oconnor@btc.co.uk
T: +44 (0) 1689 616000

Or to discuss logistics please contact

Abby Penn
E: abby.penn@btc.co.uk
T: +44 (0) 1689 616000

 

http://www.computingsecurityawards.co.uk/

MicroScope asks if there is 'Confusion in the Cloud'

The IT industry is awash with jargon and acronyms – BYOD, CYOD, COPE, PaaS, IaaS, SaaS, … the list goes on.  And now we have Fog Computing.

Depending on who you talk to Fog Computing is either the next big thing or it’s nothing new.  Looking back on my 20 years’ experience in the industry, there’s very little that’s genuinely new in IT – it’s normally an iteration of something that’s gone before.  In my view this is where fog computing sits.  It’s a fundamentally useful concept but as with much in our industry care needs to be taken not to rename something just for the sake of doing so.

At the end of the day, Fog is still Cloud.  It’s about pushing data into the cloud – or other places on the network – but with a requirement for some kind of interaction at the edge.  There are many companies doing Fog, but without necessarily realising that’s what they’re doing.

As an IT industry, we are doing a pretty good job of over-complicating things.  Cloud computing is a case in point and much of the market has yet to get grips with it.  As the economy continues its slow (but sure) recovery it’s important for resellers to place the right strategic emphasis on the technology that will drive their business…and open new revenue streams.  Cloud computing could provide the answer – but only if it’s well-understood. And that’s where VADs come in.

In addition to helping drive end-user opportunities through qualified pipelines, a true VAD will help to educate its resellers and empower them to differentiate themselves by providing a more holistic solution to their customers.  Whether that’s through webinars, sales cheat sheets, e-shot collateral – the VAD’s role is to cut through industry jargon and enable its partners to have a meaningful conversation with their customers.  If you’re still in a fog about Cloud, you might want to rethink who you’re partnering with.

A recent article here sums up the situation, he wrote:  Fog Computing only serves to increase confusion about the cloud.  I recently saw a trailer for a new movie called “Sex Tape” where a private, intimate video is accidentally uploaded to the cloud and a frantic couple tries to retrieve all the iPads that synced to the cloud and thus received the video.  My favorite dialogue in the trailer is when Jason Segel says, “It went up, it went up to the cloud.”  Cameron Diaz sarcastically responds, “And you can’t get it down from the cloud?” To which he angrily blurts, “Nobody understands the cloud!  It’s a [F-word] mystery!”

I pretty much agree with Jason Segel’s sentiment except that I’d say although it applies to most – it’s not all.  There are pockets of knowledge out there and awareness is growing.  But if today you find yourself in a fog about cloud computing, had enough of industry jargon and want to understand what it can do for you in plain English, give me a call.

Adam Davison, director of Cloud Distribution



http://www.microscope.co.uk/opinion/Confusion-in-the-cloud

CRN recognises Watchful Software as a 2014 Emerging Security Vendor

http://www.crn.com/slide-shows/security/300073485/emerging-vendors-2014-security-vendors.htm/pgno/0/58

MicroScope says "Cloud Distribution drives northern sales"

http://www.microscope.co.uk/news/2240224742/Cloud-Distribution-drives-northern-sales

CRN asks if the channel is "Lost in the fog"

http://www.channelweb.co.uk/crn-uk/feature/2355089/lost-in-the-fog

ChannelBiz says "Cloud Distribution Shows Partners How To Cash In On Free Wi-Fi"

http://www.channelbiz.co.uk/2014/06/20/cloud-distribution-shows-partners-make-money-free-wi-fi/

Ciol says "Cloud Distribution partners Cloud4Wi, to enable WiFi monetization"

http://www.ciol.com/ciol/news/216437/cloud-distribution-partners-cloud4wi-enable-wifi-monetization

Channel Pro says "Cloud Distribution adds Cloud4Wi to portfolio"

http://www.channelpro.co.uk/news/8521/cloud-distribution-adds-cloud4wi-to-portfolio

Microscope says: "Cloud Distribution expands Wi-Fi product range"

http://www.microscope.co.uk/news/2240222991/Cloud-Distribution-expands-Wi-Fi-product-range

Cloud Distribution has WON the Microscope ACE’s award for Networking Distributor of the year 2014!!

We are delighted to announce that Cloud Distribution has WON the Microscope ACE’s award for Networking Distributor of the year 2014! This follows on from us winning the same award in 2013… A big thanks to everyone that voted for Cloud Distribution!

http://www.microscope.co.uk/news/2240222180/MicroScope-ACEs-winners-announced

CRN says "Are vendors now holding all the cards?"

http://www.channelweb.co.uk/crn-uk/news/2343678/are-vendors-now-holding-all-the-cards

Channel Pro says "Cloud Distribution provides finance for VARs"

http://www.channelpro.co.uk/news/8392/cloud-distribution-provides-finance-for-vars

CRN says "Cloud Distribution heeds VAR calls with leasing unleashing"

http://www.channelweb.co.uk/crn-uk/news/2341220/cloud-distribution-heeds-var-calls-with-leasing-unleashing

Leasing Option Introduced By Cloud Distribution Will Sell More Kit

http://www.channelbiz.co.uk/2014/04/24/cloud-distribution-launches-cloud-capital/

Cloud Distribution launches Cloud Capital finance scheme

http://www.microscope.co.uk/news/2240219410/Cloud-Distribution-launches-Cloud-Capital-finance-scheme

Cloud Distribution Launches Cloud Capital

http://www.sourcewire.com/news/82695/cloud-distribution-launches-cloud-capital

CRN - Cloud Distribution Shortlisted for CRN Sales and Marketing Awards

http://www.channelweb.co.uk/crn-uk/news/2337964/sma-2014-shortlist

Congratulations to our vendors Lastline and WatchDox for becoming finalists in the 2014 SC Magazine Awards

http://www.scawardseurope.com/2014-shortlist

Channel Pro says "Cloud Distribution says cloud-based technologies deliver next big opportunity for distributors and resellers"

http://www.channelpro.co.uk/news/8269/report-vars-give-distributors-vote-of-confidence

MicroScope Says "Cloud Distribution adds reward scheme to Cloud Club"

http://www.microscope.co.uk/news/2240214334/Cloud-Distribution-adds-reward-scheme-to-Cloud-Club

Cloud Distribution Launches Cloud Club Rewards Programme

Security and networking next-generation value added distributor (VAD) Cloud Distribution, has launched a new partner rewards scheme.

Through a series of predetermined activities including revenue booked, proof of concepts organised and a range of marketing activities, partners can claim points which could win them a place on Cloud Distribution’s biannual Cloud Club event.  Cloud Club is Cloud Distribution’s twice yearly incentive programme to reward its partners for their hard work and continued support of the company. 

The first promotion begins on February 13^th and will reward the twelve top-performing individuals (one per partner) with a place on its next event in Sicily in June. 

The programme will be managed online via a portal where partners can log-in to see a customised homepage, view and claim their points, and compare how they are doing against others, both from their own organisation and other partners.

To get involved, partners simply register at the new Cloud Distribution portal and start earning points.  Bonus points will be awarded for everyone who follows Cloud Distribution on Twitter.  In addition, Cloud Distribution has designated the third week of every month as a ‘bonus week’ where double points will be awarded on all confirmed orders.

Adam Davison, Director at Cloud Distribution said: “Our new programme is designed to encourage our channel partners to get even more involved with Cloud Distribution and its vendors.  As well as being rewarded for their efforts, the programme also helps our partners focus on activity to create more end-user opportunities.  It also supports our own marketing efforts ensuring that we’re delivering real value-add for our portfolio of vendors.”

Cloud Distribution shortlisted for Distributor of the Year Finalist - IT Europa Awards

Cloud Distribution has been shortlisted for Distributor of the Year Finalist in IT Europa's European IT & Software Excellence Awards. http://www.iteuropa.com/News/2014/February/European-IT---Software-Excellence-Awards-2014-fina.aspx

MicroScope Says "Cloud Distribution to drive up A10 Networks"

http://www.microscope.co.uk/news/2240213566/Cloud-Distribution-to-drive-up-A10-business

Comms Business Says "Cloud Distribution signs up A10 Networks"

http://commsbusiness.co.uk/news/cloud-distribution-signs-up-a10-networks/

ChannelBiz Says "Cloud Distribution Deal Secures Balance Through A10′s ADC"

http://www.channelbiz.co.uk/2014/01/29/cloud-distribution-deal-secures-balance-through-a10-s-adc/

ChannelPro Says "Cloud adds ADC specialist A10 Networks to networking line-up"

http://www.channelpro.co.uk/news/8235/cloud-distribution-signs-up-a10-networks 

Cloud Distribution signs up A10 Networks

Security and networking next-generation value added distributor (VAD) Cloud Distribution, is continuing the momentum it enjoyed in 2013 by signing A10 Networks, a technology leader in application networking.  A10’s high-performance products help organisations accelerate, optimise and secure the availability of their applications in the most cost-effective way. 

With the Application Delivery Controller (ADC) becoming an increasingly important component of enterprise network infrastructures this market is only set to grow, and according to Gartner the market is expected to double to $2.9 billion within the next few years.  A10 Networks has achieved record growth in the UK and recently doubled its sales and marketing investments across the European market making it well positioned to take full advantage of this predicted market growth.

Earlier this month A10 extended its portfolio with a next-generation stand-alone Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) offering to help organisations tackle the growth and sophistication of these targeted attacks.  This builds on the existing DDoS feature set in its popular Application Delivery Controllers (ADC).

Adam Davison, Director at Cloud Distribution said: “The Application Delivery Controller (ADC) market has undergone a significant shake-up recently, most notably with Cisco discontinuing its ACE product, as well as a number of enterprise customers needing to refresh their existing ageing estates that are now end of life & support from key players like F5.  As 2014 kicks off, two of the main issues for this growing ADC market are security and virtualisation – and A10’s offering supersedes anything that is available on the market today.”

Davison continued, “The recent addition of A10’s dedicated DDoS offering is an added bonus for our partners because it broadens the market opportunity with an enlarged portfolio of products.”  

Cloud Distribution will create a dedicated group of business partners to firmly establish A10 Networks as the UK’s de-facto choice to meet an organisation’s ADC requirements. The ability for partners to stand out from the crowd and offer their end-users a next-generation, fully-featured ADC appliance with an all-inclusive price gives Cloud Distribution’s partners the opportunity to not only differentiate themselves from other channel players who offer ‘cost per feature’ solutions with protracted license fees, but it enables them to offer a superior solution with higher margins.

To ensure this market opportunity potential is fully maximised Cloud Distribution will be hiring a dedicated A10 sales specialist that will enable those chosen business partners and assist in driving, end user demand generation activity through to assisting in sales meetings as partners seek to close end-user opportunities.

A10 Networks differentiates itself from other ADC players by offering all its high performance hardware and virtual appliances with A10’s complete feature set for one all-inclusive cost and no  per feature licensing fees. Its flagship AX Series platforms are designed from the ground-up with a 64-bit shared-memory and multi-process, multi-core, multi-CPU architecture that leaps the competition in performance, scalability, efficiency and flexibility.

Arie de Groot, Senior Director Channel EMEA & LATAM at A10 Networks said: “We have had strong sales in the UK over the last few quarters and the addition of Cloud Distribution provides additional capacity with a distributor that has proven its expertise in launching new disruptive technologies. With Cloud Distribution, we believe we can gain traction into verticals and channels that still have not heard about the new platforms and products A10 recently released!”