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Extreme Networks and Westcon Provide Training to Channel Partners

Tarrytown NY, September 22, 2009—Extreme Networks and Westcon today announced that they will be running a series of initiatives for their channel partners, offering training and demand generation support. Each quarter, Westcon and Extreme Networks will deliver workshops focusing on a specific vertical, during which attendees will develop knowledge and skills for success.

Since re-launching its Channel Programme in 2007, Extreme Networks has invested heavily in its channel partner programme. The series of seminars and other initiatives planned in partnership with Westcon have been designed to provide partners with the tools they need to capitalise on current market demands for high-end networking solutions.

Customer demands have changed drastically over the last twelve months, with nearly all end users looking to do more with fewer resources. With businesses trying to reduce costs associated with IT spending and looking for the best available reliability and Total Cost of Ownership, it is imperative that the solutions on offer meet the needs of 21st Century users. With this in mind, the channel must have the support of a leading vendor who is capable of supporting its pre- and post- sales activities.

“We have identified that for partners to succeed inan increasingly competitive market place, they need the best support possible,” says Extreme Networks’ Regional Director for UK and Ireland, Gary Newbold. “By offering tailored training with Westcon, we feel that we are able to give our partners and resellers the tools to engage with the market and present a cost effective, yet highly intuitive and functional alternative to other solutions on the market.”

“Through delivering these partner initiatives, we are aiming at providing our reseller partners with end user opportunities and the tools and knowledge that will help with their success in these sectors,” said Westcon’s Head of Sales for Data Solutions, Peter Wheeler. “The past 12 months have undoubtedly been tough on the channel and the industry as a whole. By providing our reseller partners with training now, both Westcon and Extreme Networks are ensuring that partners have all the latest information to hand to capitalise on new market opportunities.”

One such partner that has benefited from Extreme Networks’ Channel Programme is G3 Telecommunications. When faced with competitive solutions from larger vendors, G3 has been successful in converting these demanding prospects into customer wins. “Though we have competency with Cisco equipment, we always lead with Extreme Networks,” says G3’s Managing Director, Tony Parish. “Our customers enjoy more flexibility, rather than being forced down one path. We have been in situations before where a customer initially wants nothing but Cisco, and we have quickly converted them to Extreme Networks.”

 

About Extreme Networks, Inc.
Extreme Networks provides converged Ethernet networks that support data, voice and video for enterprises and service providers. The company’s network solutions feature high performance and high availability switching that deliver insight and control enabling customers to solve their real-world business communications challenges. Operating in more than 50 countries, Extreme Networks provides wired and wireless secure LANs, data center infrastructure and Service Provider Ethernet transport solutions that are complemented by global, 24x7 service and support. For more information, visit: http://www.extremenetworks.com

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About Westcon Group
Westcon Group, Inc. is the leading specialty distributor in networking, security, mobility and convergence for leading technology vendors, including Cisco, Nortel, Avaya and Polycom. Through its Westcon, Comstor and Voda One business practices, Westcon Group sells products and services to resellers, systems integrators and service providers. Westcon Group has particular expertise in the convergence of voice, data and video applications and technologies, including voice-over Internet protocol, or VoIP, security for networking and communications systems, remote access, Internet and e-business, virtual private networks, videoconferencing and wireless connectivity. For more information, visit www.westcongroup.com.