Exeed, which has specialised in distribution of HP hardware, has now also secured rights to the vendor's software.
Exceed says it will focus on three areas of HP software: storage software (Data Protector and Storage Essentials); Tower Trim (email archiving, database archiving, file archiving and medical archiving); and server and network management (HP Client Automation, network management centre and HP operations centre.
The distributor's managing director Justin Tye says the deal will genuinely diversify its business.
"We are now no longer focussed primarily on hardware. Winning this
contract is a significant step towards us developing a significant software
practice which is complementary to our existing business. Our customers can now
be offered HP software bundled with hardware products. This is particularly
relevant to storage solutions and infrastructure systems" he says.
HP previously offered its software direct to the local market, Tye says.
HP Software and Solutions senior channel and alliances director David Ramsey say the vendor aims to recruit a highly specialised channel partner community here.
"The New Zealand market is an exciting opportunity for growth for HP
Software and Solutions, particularly in the mid market," Ramsey says.
Exeed has appointed Gavin Kerr as software sales specialist to
develop the channel software business. He is identifying resellers to work with, and implementing a channel partner programme, Exeed says.
It also distributes distributes Microsoft OEM products, Watchguard firewalls and the Netgear range of networking products.
It hopes to increase the number of software products it distributes.