This move represents a new direction for Colt’s channel partner programme with the introduction of an IT distributor to its partner community for the first time. In addition to offering its cloud services directly to customers, this approach will enable Colt to sell through a wider network of specialist IT resellers, specifically for its virtualised cloud services, and builds on its 20-year heritage in delivering integrated networking and computing services to European businesses.
The introduction of IT distributors to its partner community will enable Colt to benefit from the expertise of a specialist network of IT resellers and will serve to further extend the reach of its VMware vCloud Datacenter Services to markets across Europe. In addition to which, Magirus will be able to offer its reseller partners access to an extensive information delivery platform, combining network and IT infrastructure with expertise in IT services, networking and communication solutions.
“This new strategic relationship is an extension of our already successful European partner programme,” said Francois Eloy, EVP Colt Communication Services. “Cloud has significantly matured and we’re already seeing increased demand for infrastructure as a service from our customers. By working with Magirus, we will now be able to sell through a wider reseller community with IT background. With its proven expertise, European footprint, extensive reseller community and close relationships with our key technology partners, Magirus was a natural choice for us as we continue to look for new partners with the necessary IT background to effectively sell these new types of on-demand service.”
Magirus, focusing on infrastructure solutions including data centre, virtualisation, storage and security, was specifically selected as Colt’s first distributor partner for its extensive expertise, broad European footprint and close relationships with Colt’s technology partners, VMware, EMC and Cisco. Colt has already forged strong partnerships with VMware and EMC to develop a ground-breaking set of managed IT infrastructure services. Colt was the first European-based service provider to deliver the VMware vCloud Datacenter Service and was named the VMware Global Service Provider Partner of the Year earlier this year.
Christian Magirus, executive vice-president & Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Magirus commented, “Colt’s VMware vCloud® Datacenter Services offering is an important first building block in our cloud services strategy for the channel, allowing our reseller partners to immediately start to build their own cloud services offerings with Colt’s infrastructure service at the core. This strategic partnership establishes an important initial role for distribution and the channel in the future of cloud computing.
It’s natural that we partner with Colt as its pan-European footprint matches ours and its cloud data centres are built on the Vblock Infrastructure Platform from VCE – which we already distribute across EMEA.”