Vendors claim the move will lead to increased revenue opportunities for the channel

Yosemite Technologies has launched a European-wide strategic partnership with IT hardware vendor Maxdata in a move to increase sales of its SME data backup software across the region.

Under the terms of the deal, Maxdata will provide end-users with a CD containing Yosemite’s data backup software after they have bought a server from Maxdata. Yosemite claimed the move will lead to increased revenue generation opportunities for the channel, such as through upgrades and services sales.

David Spate, vice-president of EMEA at Yosemite, told CRN: “We can offer VARs a strong sales and margin opportunity into a very sales-rich market.

“If an end-user buys a Maxdata server, it will come with a Yosemite backup software CD. This allows the end-user to have access to the full version of our software included in the price of the server.”

Spate added that each CD will allow end-users to back up a maximum of 25GB of data on one server. If users go beyond that volume of information, or wish to expand the software onto additional servers, they are directed by the vendor to buy through its channel partners, because Yosemite has no direct salesforce.

Marc Price, publisher relations manager at Yosemite reseller QBS Software, told CRN that the move seems like a very sensible OEM relationship.

“It’s a great decision and Maxdata is already quite an established name,” he said. “I think SMEs will make use of the software, particularly as they won’t have to pay any more for it if they don’t go past one server or 25GB. However, if they do, it’s a great opportunity for the reseller.”

The announcement comes shortly after Yosemite announced that it was looking to sign an additional 20 UK resellers to strengthen its UK footprint (CRN, 4 September).

Spate added that the recruitment drive is moving forward and that partners have been recruited. However, he declined to disclose any details about new UK VAR partnerships.