Avnet to distribute Ruckus WiFi gear in Australia

Stuart Corner
Wednesday, 25 August 2010 11:53

IT Industry - Strategy

Avnet Technology Solutions has been named as the national distributor in Australia for Ruckus Wireless' WiFi products.

US based Ruckus recently opened an office in Australia and earlier this week announced that its Smart WiFi 802.11n products would be sold by Telstra to connect its T-Box to the DSL modem/router in homes where ethernet cabling was not practicable.

Avnet will focus on the enterprise market offering Ruckus' ZoneFlex range of WiFi hardware and software. Gavin Lawless, general manager, Avnet Technology Solutions, Australia, said: "Ruckus has an established reputation as a provider of Smart WiFi solutions and is undergoing rapid expansion in the enterprise WLAN markets, particularly in the healthcare, warehousing and hospitality segments."

Carl Jefferys, Ruckus' newly-appointed country manager for Australia and New Zealand, said: "Avnet's dedicated channel network, aggressive distribution strategy and proven supply chain management expertise will enable us to take a major share in the dedicated wireless WiFi solutions market.

"Ruckus and Avnet will work together closely to enhance Ruckus' reach to Avnet's existing partner community as well as recruit new partners focused on wireless connectivity. Marketing efforts [will] include partner training, customer contact programmes, workshops, seminars and other below-the-line activities to create top of the mind recall amongst partners and customers."

According to Ruckus, "The simplicity of Ruckus Wireless WiFi solutions has attracted more than 50 Australian and New Zealand organizations over the last three years." Named customers include The Sydney Opera House, Western Water, the University of Melbourne, Hobart Waterfront, Trinity College and Shiavello along with "numerous enterprise and government organisations."

Since 2006, Ruckus Wireless says it has seen a 40-fold growth in revenue and 30-fold growth in unit shipments within the Asia Pacific region.

Avnet Technology Solution is an operating group of NYSE listed Avnet, one of the largest distributors of electronic components, computer products and embedded technology with operations in more than 70 countries worldwide.