SCO channel consolidates

In a move to enhance existing distribution and technical support mechanisms, Melbourne-based MPA Systems, MPA New Zealand and Blue Sky Industries have joined forces to form the MPA/Blue Sky Group.

The new organisation will provide open systems solutions which will be backed with support and professional training services throughout Australia and New Zealand. Its primary operation will comprise the distribution of SCO Unix and its related products - with the company acting in the capacity as both premier support centre, and SCO education centre. MPA/Blue Sky will also concentrate on providing add-on products for Unix in the Sun, Hewlett-Packard and IBM markets.

Both MPA and Blue Sky have long-served SCO. MPA has facilitated the distribution of SCO's products since the mid-1980s, with Blue Sky Industries providing technical support. Blue Sky was SCO's first reseller when the company was established in Australia in 1979. Now the two will combine to serve SCO as one - a move which all parties believe will enhance existing operations, and bring about increased benefits for resellers.

MPA/Blue Sky's group sales manager, Steve MacMillan, told ARN that the merger will also enable MPA - which came out of short-lived receivership a year ago - to rebuild itself in the marketplace. He believes the consolidation will allow MPA to reassert itself as a leading value-added distributor and "rebuild the relationships with the channel". MacMillan also said that from MPA's point-of-view the merger will allow them to supply the post-sales support they couldn't offer before.

From SCO's perspective the benefits of the merger are "twofold", according to marketing manager Peter Laytham. SCO believes the consolidation will bring about added reseller confidence in the channel - and a greater desire to explore new markets and enterprise space.

MacMillan said too that the consolidation of the two companies into one could only be beneficial, a "win-win" situation. He said it's a way the company could "be a lot more proactive - get out there and really help the reseller.

"We can really value-add what we're doing - instead of just putting labels on boxes."

SCO

Tel (02) 9966 1999 Fax (02) 9955 1077

MPA/Blue Sky Group

Tel (02) 9436 4901 Fax (02) 9436 4945

Register now for the ARN Security Forum 2013 on June 4 at the Sydney Mint

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