Triple whammy for Nortel

Networking vendor Nortel has signed a trio of new distributors as part of a dramatic move to gain a deeper footprint in the SMB segment.

Aptec has been appointed to serve Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the GCC countries, excluding Saudi, while Mantrac will develop the SMB market for Nortel in Egypt. Bright Star, meanwhile, has been given authorised SMB distribution rights in Saudi.

The three distributors will deliver the vendor's SMB range of voice and data products to resellers across the Middle East, and help the company to develop its reseller base in the region.

"The SMB market is a key component of Nortel's strategy and the company has always worked to recruit SMB resellers that are specialists in their fields," said Ramin Attari, VP Middle East at Nortel. "So far, we have been successful in addressing the specific needs of this important market and Nortel has a proven record in supporting its channels.

He added: "We have launched specific partner programmes, like "Building Blocks" to provide differentiated support because we believe that investing in the right channels enables us to deliver the true value of Nortel's solutions across the region."

Nortel is currently embarking on a reseller recruitment programme that it hopes will result in up to 30 SMB partners across the Middle East pledging their allegiance by the end of 2007.