Tech Data Corporation (NASDAQ:TECD) is better enabling leading manufacturers, software publishers and IT resellers to capitalize on the demand for unified communications and network security solutions. At its 2009 Vendor Partner Summit in Orlando, the company today announced the formation of two new Specialized Business Units (SBUs), further strengthening the go-to-market support its Networking Product Marketing Division provides resellers and vendors.

“Tech Data is responding to the growing demand for unified communications and network security,” said Tech Data Vice President, Networking Product Marketing John O’Shea. “Unified communications — the seamless integration of voice, data, messaging, mobility and video over a converged network — delivers new operational efficiencies for end users of all sizes. Meanwhile, the network is becoming more exposed than ever with the explosive growth of wireless, mobile devices and demands for access all the time from anywhere. That creates an array of security issues, especially for key vertical markets implementing these technologies like government, education and healthcare that need to protect sensitive information.”

Unified Communications

Unified communications offers businesses, government agencies and educational institutions a wide range of productivity and collaboration enhancements. For example, e-mail, voicemail, video, fax and messaging solutions have traditionally been supported by independent communications systems providing no means to access all that information from a single client device. Unified communications facilitates an integrated network for users to access all their communications tools no matter where they are or what device they are using.

“Unified communications is a tremendous opportunity for resellers,” said Netarx LLC Principal Sandy Kronenberg. “It creates a seamless transition between e-mail, voice, document sharing and video regardless of whether the end point is a desktop, laptop, smartphone or other device. It’s exciting news that Tech Data is expanding its solutions offering and support for unified communications.”

The Unified Communications SBU is built on Tech Data’s 10 years of experience supporting IP telephony solutions in the channel. With that unmatched foundation, the new SBU will encompass a broad array of communications products, including PBX and IP PBX switches, SIP trunking, IP Fax and hosted PBX solutions; high-definition video conferencing; peer-to-peer collaboration suites; and on-premise software and managed services to deliver fully integrated communications. Vendors partnering with the Unified Communications SBU include 3Com, Cisco, HP ProCurve, LifeSize, Nortel and Polycom.

The SBU has dedicated sales and technical resources and also will provide resellers with access to a state-of-the-art unified communications suite in the Tech Data solutions center. Resellers can contact the Unified Communications SBU by calling 800-237-8931, ext. 79284.

Network Security

The Network Security SBU’s team of professionals will be familiar with the latest security practices and solutions. They will help resellers implement network protection strategies that include, intrusion prevention, encryption, wireless access control, VPN and SSL VPN, firewall, gateway anti-virus, Web content filtering, e-mail spam filtering and messaging security. The Network Security SBU will support network security appliances from vendors like Fortinet, SECNAP, SonicWALL and WatchGuard, as well as solutions from leading security vendors like McAfee, Symantec and Trend Micro. The Network Security SBU will begin supporting resellers by year’s end.

Comprehensive Networking Solutions

The Unified Communications and Network Security SBUs are part of Tech Data’s Networking Product Marketing Division, which supports the channel strategies of dozens of industry leading manufacturers. The division’s broad product offering includes bridges, gateways, routers, switches, security appliances and network management devices, as well as infrastructure hardware, components and accessories.

For resellers and vendors focused on emerging and in-demand networking technologies such as IP video surveillance, security, unified communications and wireless networks, the division has four Specialized Business Units (SBUs): Network Security, Physical Security, Unified Communications and Wireless. Each SBU provides resellers with access to dedicated sales, technical, marketing and product management resources, as well as specialized solutions offerings, services and support for their respective solutions.

To learn more about Tech Data’s networking solutions, call 800-237-8931 or visit www.techdata.com.

About Tech Data

Tech Data Corporation (NASDAQ GS: TECD) is one of the world's largest distributors of technology products from leading IT hardware and software producers. Tech Data serves more than 125,000 IT solution providers in over 100 countries. Every day, these value-added resellers depend on Tech Data to cost-effectively support the technology needs of end users, including small and medium businesses (SMB), large enterprises and government agencies. Ranked 102nd on the FORTUNE 500(R), Tech Data generated $24.1 billion in net sales for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2009. To learn more, visit www.techdata.com.