FD Insights Issue 5 | Page 6

News First Distribution News Some of the latest developments concerning the distributor. First Distribution Wins IBM Software Award for Best Business Development in Middle East & Africa for 2013 F irst Distribution is proud to announce that it has won the IBM Software award for Best Business Development for Middle East and Africa for the year 2013. The award was conferred to the distributor at the IBM VAD University, held in Budapest, Hungary on the 6th of February 2014, and marks the second consecutive time that First Distribution has won the award, having first achieved the feat in 2012. In winning the award, the distributor grew its IBM Software business by 64% from the previous year and over-achieved on its 2013 IBM annual target. IBM Software Brand Manager for First Distribution, Tania Draper, was thrilled: “It’s a great feeling to have won this honour” she said. “I have an amazing team, and it’s just reward for all the hard work that we’ve done. I want to thank everyone who works with me on my team, as well as all our valued Partners without their support this would not have been possible.” For more information on First Distribution’s range of IBM Software, please contact Tania Draper on (011) 540 2640 or email [email protected] First Distribution Wins EMC Business Partner Award for ‘Best Distributor of the Year for 2013’ F irst Distribution is proud to announce that it was one of the winners in EMC’s annual EMC Business Partner Update, held at Monte Casino, Johannesburg on 5 December 2013. The distributor picked up the prestigious ‘Distributor of the Year’ award for the third year running, having won previously in 2011 and 2012. The EMC Business Partner Update award ceremony sees EMC recognise excellence in its business partner relationships throughout South Africa. Award winners were selected based on their relationship and commitment to EMC, as well as their ability to extend EMC’s reach into the marketplace and add value to its information infrastructure solution offerings. First Distribution’s EMC Brand Manager, Rohan de Beer commented that: “Winning this award for the third time in a 04 | www.firstdistribution.co.za row is a fantastic achievement of which I believe we can be proud. Not only do I have a great team around me which helps immensely, but I would like to thank our partners for their commitment, and for supporting and helping us in achieving this award. As always, it’s a pleasure dealing with EMC who is a model vendor in terms of channel enablement.” Servaas Venter, Country Manager of EMC So