Ingram Micro has unveiled a Consumer Home and Office Solutions (CHOS) division targeting digital convergence in the home and office markets.

The new division covers consumer electronics, software, networking, digital signage and security products. It will be led by 15-year Ingram veteran, Jacqueline Bergin, and supported by a team of dedicated staff.

In a statement, the distributor said CHOS recognised increasing ties between IT and CE products, as well as growing demand for digital convergence. Ingram pointed to research from US-based Parks Associates which claims that nearly 145 million households would use a data networking solution by 2010.

The boom in digital signage and security had also created a need for a centralised division catering to resellers in that space, the company said.

"The launch of the CHOS division at Ingram Micro will provide a one-stop shop for resellers, for all their consumer electronics, software, networking, digital signage and security needs," director of product marketing and management, Matt Sanderson, said.

As well as skilled staff and marketing assistance, the distributor has launched a new CHOS portal for resellers providing market information and specific product bundles for the home and office environment. Resellers and vendors would also be able to make use of Ingram's national retail fulfilment capabilities to break into new channels, the company said in a statement.

Ingram took its first global steps into the consumer digital convergence market with the acquisition of US-based digital home integrator, Avad, for $US120 million in July 2005. At the time, the distributor's global CEO, Greg Spierkel, told ARN he expected to launch a consumer electronics division in Australia within two years.

Late last year, Ingram also signalled its intention to create a dedicated digital signage division to address increased focus from its vendor partners on that space. The news followed the launch of a similar division in the US.