7th Mar 2005 12:00
Vodafone Group Plc07 March 2005 7 March 2005 VODAFONE TO SET UP GLOBAL IT DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL - SIGNED AGREEMENTS WITH INGRAM MICRO AND TECH DATA Vodafone Group Plc today announced its intention to establish a globaldistribution channel for its business products and services through leading ITresellers. Building on existing national IT distribution agreements, Vodafonehas extended its relationship with both Ingram Micro and Tech Data with newagreements that include the provision of global marketing and sales support. The Vodafone business products and services available include the award winningVodafone Mobile Connect 3G/GPRS datacard range, Europe's first high speed laptop datacard allowing customers to be connected to all their usual officeapplications whilst on the move. In addition, Vodafone will also make availablethe Blackberry from Vodafone range, providing the basic features of a mobilephone, with the benefits of being able to access e mail and attachments whilsttravelling. As part of its overall strategy of channel engagement, Vodafone will providespecific product training and education to Ingram Micro and Tech Data's salesnetwork and certification of key computer product resellers as approvedresellers of business mobility systems. Peter Bamford, Chief Marketing Officer, Vodafone said, "These new partnershipsallow Vodafone to use an effective channel for selling our mobile data products,in addition to our retail stores and direct sales force. Partnering with the twoleading pan-European distributors who have significant market reach means agreater number of business customers will have wider access to the Vodafonerange of business products and services." - ends - Notes for Editors: Ingram Micro has commercial distribution agreements with Vodafone Australia, SFR(France), Vodafone Germany, Vodafone Italy, Vodafone Netherlands, Vodafone NewZealand and Vodafone UK. Tech Data has commercial distribution agreements with SFR (France), VodafoneGermany, Vodafone Spain, Vodafone Sweden and Vodafone UK (through Computer2000). (c) Vodafone Group 2005. Vodafone and Vodafone Mobile Connect are trade marks ofthe Vodafone Group. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be thetrade marks of their respective owners. For further information: Vodafone GroupSimon Lewis, Group Corporate Affairs DirectorTel: +44 (0) 1635 673310 Investor Relations Media RelationsCharles Butterworth Jon EarlDarren Jones Janine YoungSarah Moriarty Emma ConlonTel: +44 (0) 1635 673310 Tel: +44 (0) 1635 673310 Tavistock CommunicationsLulu BridgesTel: +44 (0) 20 7920 3150 About Ingram MicroIngram Micro Inc. is the world's largest technology distributor. As a vital linkin the technology value chain, Ingram Micro creates sales and profitabilityopportunities for vendors and resellers through unique marketing programs,outsourced logistics services, technical support, financial services and productaggregation and distribution. The company serves 100 countries and is the onlyglobal IT distributor with operations in Asia. Ranked 81 on the Fortune 500,Ingram Micro generated $25.46 billion in revenues for fiscal year 2004. Visit:www.ingrammicro.com or www.ingrammicro-europress.com About Tech Data CorporationTech Data Corporation (NASDAQ/NMS: TECD), founded in 1974, is a leading globalprovider of IT products, logistics management and other value-added services.Ranked 111th on the FORTUNE 500, the company and its subsidiaries serve morethan 90,000 technology resellers in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean,Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. Tech Data's extensive serviceoffering includes pre- and post-sale training and technical support, financingoptions and configuration services as well as a full range of electroniccommerce solutions. The company generated sales of $19.1 billion for the lastfour quarters reported, which ended October 31, 2004. Visit: www.techdata.com About VodafoneVodafone is the world's largest mobile community, with equity interests in 26countries and Partner Networks in a further 14 countries, serving over 151million proportionate customers. For further information visit: www.vodafone.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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