Nortel appoints Westcon as North ASEAN distributor

Under the agreement, Westcon will offer Nortel's complete Enterprise portfolio and takeover responsibility for all the core channel functions which have traditionally been delivered directly by Nortel.

Covering its markets of Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines the deal will enhance Westcon's position as the leading distributor for Nortel worldwide.

The appointment will also strengthen Nortel's go-to-market strategy in providing customer service excellence through its global network of partners and distributors.

Wendy O'Keeffe, recently appointed as the executive vice president for the Asia Pacific region for Westcon Group said the partnership broadens an already successful long term global partnership with Nortel.

"We are Nortel's largest distributor globally and enjoy a committed relationship with other regions that we wish to translate into these new markets," she said.

Westcon Group has already demonstrated a strong ability to partner with Nortel in building out a Nortel channel with the delivery of strategic channel programs and order fulfilment processes utilising its global ERP System.

Westcon Group can also offer the region the services of its global ordering desk as well as leveraging Nortel's technical expertise around end to end solution sets.

"In today's changing market place, Nortel's new go-to-market strategy places more emphasis on our partners and leveraging their local presence and first-class channel structure to deliver maximum value to our customers," said Mark Fioretto, vice president Nortel Enterprise, South Asia.

"Our new strategy will streamline our operations and increase our efficiency, and is designed both to reduce cost and to help boost our market momentum in the enterprise space."

Westcon will work closely with Nortel to establish its presence in-country, build on existing relationships with channel partners and servicing the needs of new and existing Nortel customers.