Vodafone extends global partnerships

Vodafone has extended its global distribution agreements with channel behemoths Ingram Micro and Tech Data to pursue sales opportunities in business mobility.

Bruce Goldsmith, business sales manager at Vodafone, said the global announcement detailed a commitment to joint marketing and training for a corporate mobile and IT product range. This includes Blackberry handhelds and Vodafone’s range of GPRS/3G mobile card products.

Also, Vodafone would certify key computer resellers as providers of business mobility systems, the company said.

Goldsmith said changes in the local and global communications markets demanded fresh strategies for product development and channel distribution. Vodafone expected to announce more partners and marketing initiatives in the near future.

“You are going to see expanded channel models used [by Vodafone] wherever it is feasible and effective,” he said.

Goldsmith said the announcement would not affect the company’s existing partnership with Ingram Micro in Australia.

Rather, the deal showed how important the partnership had been locally, especially in terms of meeting higher demand for mobility from corporate customers. Vodafone saw corporate demands for mobility as key to its improved local performance over the last two years and in future, he said.

“Convergence of IT and communications is a path Vodafone is committed to taking in terms of helping corporate decision making,” Goldsmith said.

Tech Data does not operate in Australia, so the deal with that distributor has no local relevance.

Peter Bamford, chief marketing officer at Vodafone, said the two "leading pan-European" distributors were chosen for their market reach.