Westcon-Comstor announced the appointment by NetApp, the data authority for hybrid cloud, as its distributor for Sub-Saharan Africa effective 1 May 2019.

According to a release issued by the distributor, Westcon-Comstor will offer NetApp solutions in South Africa (SA), Southern African Development Community (SADC), French West Africa (FWA), West Africa (WA), East Africa (EA) and Indian Ocean Islands (IOI).

Westcon-Comstor adds that while many global vendors have a blended channel strategy that allows them to sell directly to large enterprise end-users, this has been to the detriment of local partners.

"Our affiliation with NetApp has grown from strength to strength. The vendor is committed to aligning its strategy in the new financial year to support, develop, invest in and empower its distribution relationship as well as its partners in the region" states Rakesh Parbhoo, chief executive officer at Westcon-Comstor Sub-Saharan Africa.

"As the preferred distributor of its solutions, combined with the investment NetApp has committed to putting into the channel, I believe we will be able to expand the market while providing our customers with solutions that fulfil their hybrid cloud and data services requirements and simplify the management of applications in their business and across multiple clouds."

Kristian Kerr, NetApp Vice President Partners & Pathways EMEA said, "We have strengthened our relationship with Westcon-Comstor based on our history of successful partnership as well as its expertise in the industry and this market. Partnering with and empowering the channel is crucial to NetApp's strategy in Sub-Saharan Africa. Together, we will be the leading hybrid- and multi-cloud experts for our customers, empowering people while providing a profitable and predictable environment in which businesses can thrive."