OREANDA-NEWS. September 02, 2011. MERLION systematically fulfils its strategic tasks on expansion of the distribution portfolio in the direction of development of turnkey solutions distribution, that is why entry into the software promotion market is a logical step, reported the press-centre of MERLION.

Creation of a separate oriented department of software is conditioned by fulfillment of these strategic tasks of the company on VAD business development as well as by increase of number of software suppliers due to acquisition of distribution business of Verysell Group of Companies known in the market as a trademark “Verysell Distribution”. Due to this transaction MERLION additionally obtained to its portfolio direct agreements with such global leading software suppliers as Acronis, Microsoft, Parallels, Quest Software, Symantec, Veeаm Software, VMware.

Creation of a separate department will enable MERLION to focus efforts on software sales development, first of all to the corporate segment of IT-business assisting partners in the area of elaboration and promotion of solutions based on the software of the aforesaid suppliers.
Separate products groups are created within the software department for business development of Microsoft, Symantec, VMware, Veeаm, Quest, Antivirus Software and Applications.

The department’s main functions are as follows:

sales channel development;

promotion of software and solutions of the basis thereof to the sales channel;

cooperation with vendors;

consulting and marketing support of partners;

partners’ projects support;

creation, elaboration of comprehensive solutions Software + servers, data storage systems, etc.;

creation of own training programs and Internet-resources for promotion of software and solutions on the basis thereof.

By now the department consists of 30 employees, and their number will increase while signing other direct contracts in the area of software supplies. The team includes a dedicated group of technical and before-sale preparation, procurement managers as well as sales- and product-managers oriented to the active maintenance of partners.

Tatiana Andreeva, Business Development Director of MERLION: “MERLION intends to develop actively a new business area estimating it as one of the most promising segments of the distribution market. Besides, integration of a traditional distribution pattern and VAD-pattern within the same company will enable creation of a synergetic offer being unique for the Russian IT-market – combination of flexibility, speed and efficiency of a traditional distributor and complex of VAS (value Added Services) with the same supplier. MERLION is a recognized leader in the Russian IT-distribution market, and we intend to become leader in the software segment as well”.

Anton Lukiyanov, Procurement Department Director of MERLION: “Creation of the department is a logic stage of a full-scale development of MERLION in the software market. Now we are ready to offer to the partners not only a wide set of software but also we are able to provide additional services on consulting, technical and marketing support. This will enable to make business of our partners more successful”.

“During seven years we successfully conducted business with Verysell Distribution. We hope that joining of Verysell to MERLION team will become a new stage of this success, Andrey Vyshlov, Regional Director of Symantec in Russia and CIS, noted. – Jointly with MERLION we plan to extend our network of partners, to improve infrastructure of partners support, first of all in the segment of small and medium business”.

Yakov Fishelev, Quest Software manager for Russia and CIS: “Quest expects many things from cooperation with MERLION, leader of the Russian IT-market. We count on extension of possibilities on promotion of our solutions in Russia by means of new ideas and initiatives, proactive approach in work with partners, serious marketing support. We hope that our cooperation will be long-term, confidential and mutually beneficial”.