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Manaccom drops Trend Micro, brings on McAfee

Split comes after 10-year relationship disintegrates as a result of the vendor signing on with Ingram Micro

Manaccom has signed a three-year distribution agreement with McAfee, dropping rival security software vendor, Trend Micro, in the process.

“Having worked with Trend for 10 years and built the brand we don’t believe there’s the future with Trend that there is with McAfee,” Manaccom deputy chairman, Ian Mackay, told ARN.

Manaccom will now distribute McAfee's entire consumer retail range across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands in a deal estimated to be worth more than $25 million over three years to the distributor.

“We will be responsible for the production, marketing, initial customer support and the distribution of the McAfee consumer products,” Mackay said.

It is understood Manaccom informed Trend Micro of its decision in a letter received by the vendor today, with a general announcement posted to the ASX. Although not permitted to elaborate, Mackay claimed Trend Micro breached its contractual obligations.

“They have breached the agreement and we gave them notice and immediately terminated,” he said.

Trend Micro consumer products director, David Peterson, denied there was a breach of contract, and said the agreement broke down because of the appointment of Ingram Micro as a retail distributor in April.

“I’m a little concerned that they would say such a thing, but personally we don’t believe that’s what happened… there’s no breach of contract of which I am aware. The contract we had with Manaccom was not an exclusive contract so there is certainly no breach as a result of dual distribution with Ingram Micro,” Peterson said.

“Its done no harm to the Trend Micro business… my sales forecasts remain exactly the same… there will be no change in our recommended retail price for the products and we do not foresee any reason why the cost to retailers would change either.”

Mackay said Manaccom signed on with McAfee after the vendor sought them out.

“McAfee approached us some months ago and they saw an opportunity in the Australian market that they couldn’t take advantage of themselves. They knew we… had done it well for 10 years and so they were very keen to get us on-board,” Mackay said.

Earlier this year Mackay expressed satisfaction at the Trend Micro business and confirmed the partnership was performing well until the split.

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More about: ARN, Ingram Micro, Ingram Micro Australia , Manaccom, McAfee, Trend Micro
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