Aptec scores regional VMware rights

Virtualisation solutions maker VMware has taken a big step to up its coverage in the Middle East market by appointing Aptec its authorised distributor for the MENA region.

"VMware is a strategic partnership for us, helping us build our one-stop-shop concept by offering virtualisation solutions to our channel partners so that they, in turn, can offer complete turnkey solutions including support and services to their customers," revealed Bahaa Salah managing director at Aptec Distribution, which currently has four offices outside of Dubai and over 2,500 active accounts across the region.

Mohammed Ilyas, business unit manager for software at Aptec, says the company will be working closely with VMware to train channel partners and help them to kick-start the selling process. He also claims that Aptec will be proactively recruiting partners and participating in VMware programmes including the advantage+ programme designed to help reward partners' investments when proactively selling VMware products and solutions.

"We will be developing in-house skills to cover pre-sales, post-sales and training requirements for the VMware channel via our ATS subsidiary," added Ilyas. "We will also be offering free pre-sales support to help them rapidly add value for customers and give them room to develop their in-house skills quickly."

VMware's MENA regional manager, Ghassan Darri, commented: "As interest for VMware virtualisation continues to grow in the region, Aptec has the right skill set and personnel to provide customers with the products and services they need, from deploying centralised virtual desktops, to managing and automating the datacenter. Together with VMware's leading virtualisation platform, Aptec will offer its expertise to leading Middle East and North African organisations seeking a new level of cost-effective and flexible IT."