Sun expands partnership with Redington India

BANGALORE, INDIA: Sun Microsystem India today announced that it has expanded its relationship with Redington (India), a provider in distribution of IT products and services, to tap its larger reseller network base for Sun Open Access Channel Program in India.

This channel program is an enhancement of Sun Partner Advantage Program and it is being introduced to capitalize on the market momentum behind Sun's software products, including open source powerhouses GlassFish application server, MySQL database, OpenSolaris operating system and xVM VirtualBox.

This is expected to enable Sun's channel partners with new ways to reach new customers, capture untapped market demand, open new markets and grow their businesses for Sun's entry server and storage products.

Through this strategic alliance Sun aims to highly focus on the SME segment in India.

“The IT adoption in the SME segment is seen for the x86 servers, open storage, open software, and CMT for mid-size ERP. There are about 25,000 SMEs in India among which we have been able to reach till 3,000, which leaves us a huge area to explore,” said Sudhir Nayar, director - partner sales, Sun Microsystem, India.

Through this alliance with Redigton Sun would be able reach to those segments faster and efficiently, he added.

The company is targeting to achieve 10 per cent market share for x86 market in the next couple of years.

“The Open Access Channel Program from Sun will help us streamline our business, and further develop our reseller ecosystem,” said Anand Chakravarthy, head, Strategic Business Unit, Redington India.

“Being the sole distributor in India to have the Open Access Distributor status provides us with the opportunity to add Sun product line to existing non-Sun reseller relationships with no certifications or additional reseller contracts required, ” he added.

Redington India will be the only channel partner in Sun’s large channel network to be part of the Open Access Program in India.

The expanded relationship will involve Sun partnering with Redington's network of resellers, joint investment in resource, training etc.

The Sun and Redington alliance for Open Access channel program was globally launched last year in November.

Through this program Sun and Redigton would jointly engage in several go-to-market activities, help educate and make resellers aware of Sun's technology capabilities and support initiatives.

The program has already reached 40 partners across the country and trained 160 partners sales representatives.