Avnet launches UK converged infrastructure practice

Avnet Technology Solutions has launched a converged infrastructure practice in the UK to support channel partners delivering pre-architected and vendor validated IT infrastructure solutions to customers.

Converged infrastructure solutions enable business partners to speed up delivery of core services, while reducing costs and sales cycles and increasing profitability.

Miriam Murphy (pictured), senior vice president for Avnet Technology Solutions, North region, EMEA, said: “The UK market for converged infrastructure is an important growth area for the channel and a priority for Avnet. We have invested in both our technical and business expertise, established a converged infrastructure centre of excellence, and have an unrivalled portfolio of suppliers for converged and hyper-converged infrastructure solutions to support business partners in this market.”

The new converged infrastructure practice includes an extensive partner enablement programme, starting with an Avnet hosted channel briefing at the InterContinental Hotel, Park Lane, London on 4 June 2015. The briefing involves Cisco, EMC, HP, IBM, NetApp, Oracle and VCE, and will provide an insight into how to deliver and benefit from the expanding converged and hyper-converged market.

Andrew Buss, IDC consulting manager, will present the latest research on data centre consolidation, virtualisation and converged infrastructure trends. Business insights will be provided on how channel partners can deliver low risk, converged deployments to their end-user customers. Supplier-led breakout sessions will provide attendees with information to help them understand more about the technology, the challenges customers face and the associated opportunities.

Avnet has strategic partnerships with technology suppliers that are leading the way in the converged infrastructure market. This gives business partners access to the best technology stack to fit customer requirements, in addition to a dedicated Avnet technical and sales team focused on converged platforms. Solutions can be built to order across EMEA from Avnet’s facility in Tongeren, Belgium, which is certified to the relevant levels required by its supplier partners.

Murphy said: “Avnet’s skilled workforce can assemble, test and pre-configure converged systems to enable resellers to deploy business solutions rapidly, leading to shortened sales cycles and faster business growth. Our focus now is to provide channel partners with information and support to enable them to take advantage of this opportunity.”