SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 12, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bell Microproducts Inc. (Pink Sheets:BELM), one of the world's largest value-added distributors of storage and computing technology, today announced the creation of a security division in North America. Poised to be a strong player in the security space based on its strength overseas and its deep expertise in storage, Bell Microproducts will utilize its broad reach into the channel to replicate the success of its UK security division in the North American market.
Duncan Hume, who spearheaded Bell Microproducts' UK security division and has served as a divisional manager for the past eight years, will now serve as director of the newly created North American security division for the company. Based on his over 24 years of experience in value added distribution in the UK and across Europe, Hume believes that the timing is right for Bell Microproducts to expand its security distribution business. "In today's market, customers buying storage products are looking for the best ways to protect their data, and there is a huge need to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of that data," he noted. "There are a number of compliance issues that must now be taken into consideration, and the technologies Bell Microproducts will distribute will address the security of that data. Additionally, the market is seeing a convergence of storage and security suppliers, making it only natural that Bell Microproducts, one of the largest storage distributors in the world, would expand its commitment to include security solutions as well."
With compliance requirements such as HIPAA and Sarbanes-Oxley forcing businesses to think about the security of their stored data, Bell Microproducts' resellers can now better serve their customers by offering a broad range of technologies that, when combined with Bell Microproducts' service and integration services around servers, storage and software, ensure seamless security deployments.
Reseller technical services offered by Bell Microproducts will include pre-sale, integration, post-sale, implementation, and lab services support. Currently offering a multitude of security options to resellers including anti virus spam filter, SSL virtual private networks, unified threat management, firewall, email firewall, and intrusion detection and prevention, Bell Microproducts plans to extend its offerings in the future to serve as a one stop shop for VARs, eventually providing value add services and integration for security offerings.
Bell Microproducts offers multivendor expertise within a single organization, best in class enterprise field organization, leading financing options, and a highly qualified inside technical sales teams for quoting and configuration with an approximately four hour response timeframe.
Key security vendors already signed by Bell Microproducts include AEP Networks, Barracuda, Bloxx, Clearswift, Utimaco and SunBelt Software.
"Bell Microproducts is committed to the needs of its customers and to adapting and changing with the times to stay on the cutting edge of technology," continued Hume. "Storage and security go hand in hand, and the addition of the North American security division is a logical next step as we continue to grow the company."
As further evidence of the company's commitment to the success of its partners, Bell Microproducts will be offering training opportunities for resellers to familiarize themselves with the latest offerings from leading security vendors. Bell Microproducts' 'Security Sales Academy' will assist resellers in gaining the knowledge they need to be successful, including developing a sustainable and profitable security business, building security sales expertise within the organization, and obtaining access to exclusive campaigns and offers from vendors.
For more information on Bell Microproducts' North American Security Division, please visit www.bellmicrosecurity.com.
About Bell Microproducts Inc.
Bell Microproducts (Pink Sheets:BELM) is an international, value-added distributor of a wide range of high-tech products, solutions and services, including storage systems, servers, software, computer components, and peripherals, as well as maintenance and professional services. An industry-recognized specialist in storage products, the company is one of the world's largest storage-centric value-added distributors.
Bell Microproducts is uniquely qualified with deep technical and application expertise to service a broad range of information technology needs. From design to deployment, its products are available at any level of integration, from components to subsystem assemblies and fully-integrated, tested and certified system solutions. More information can be found in the company's SEC filings, or by visiting the Bell Microproducts Web site at www.bellmicro.com.