Tech Data Opens Apple Lab

Tech Data’s Apple Specialized Business Unit Helps VARs Explore and Demonstrate Business Applications for Apple Solutions

CLEARWATER, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tech Data Corporation (NASDAQ:TECD) today opened the 450-square-foot Apple Lab, the latest addition to the company’s 6,000-square-foot technology solutions center. Resellers use the Tech Data solutions center to demonstrate a broad array of IT solutions in a hands-on environment for their end-user customers, as well as to train their own sales and technical employees on the channel’s latest technologies. Now, Apple resellers can bring their customers to the solutions center to demonstrate how Apple-based solutions can be deployed to support the IT needs of small and medium businesses (SMBs) and larger corporate environments.

“That creates opportunities for Apple resellers. Today, Apple-based solutions can be deployed to support all mission-critical business applications. Seeing those solutions in action is the best way to sell them, and that’s why we built the Apple Lab.”

“With the rising popularity of the iPhone, iPod and Mac computers in the consumer market, users are very interested in learning how Apple products can be incorporated into their businesses,” said Tech Data Vice President, Client Systems Product Marketing Brian Davis. “That creates opportunities for Apple resellers. Today, Apple-based solutions can be deployed to support all mission-critical business applications. Seeing those solutions in action is the best way to sell them, and that’s why we built the Apple Lab.”

The Apple Lab is supported by Tech Data’s Apple Specialized Business Unit (SBU) and can be equipped to demonstrate a broad array of Apple-based SMB and enterprise business solutions, including:

• Server and desktop virtualization
• IP video surveillance
• Storage virtualization
• Point-of-sale
• Digital signage
• Mobility
• Windows on the Mac platform
• Storage area networks
• Professional audio/video editing and production
• Professional photography

The Apple Lab will feature a complete line of Apple products, including the iPod, iMac, Mac Mini, Mac Pro, Xserve and Apple TV, as well as a host of accessories, peripherals and software from leading vendor partners developing solutions supported by the Mac platform. These vendors include Altec Lansing, Autodesk, Axiom, BakBone, Canon, Check Point, EMC Retrospect, FileMaker, Imation, LaCie, Microsoft, Parallels, Promise Technology, QLogic, Ricoh, SanDisk, Seagate, Tandberg Data, U.S. Robotics, Verbatim and Western Digital.

The Apple Lab is available to resellers for onsite and remote solutions demonstrations, as well as technical and sales trainings. To learn more about the lab, Apple resellers can call the Apple SBU team at 800-237-8931, ext. 82038 or send e-mail to [e-mail].

Apple To The Core

Tech Data’s Apple SBU is comprised of dedicated sales, technical and product management resources offering the expertise resellers can leverage to more profitably develop, sell and support Apple-based solutions. All members of the Apple SBU inside and field sales teams are recognized Apple Product Professionals, the most comprehensive Apple certification available. When resellers contact the Apple SBU, they engage a team of professionals who are well versed in Apple solutions and backed by Tech Data’s immense resources, leading technical expertise and broad product knowledge.

About Tech Data

Tech Data Corporation (NASDAQ GS: TECD) is one of the world's largest distributors of technology products from leading IT hardware and software producers. Tech Data serves more than 125,000 IT solution providers in over 100 countries. Every day, these value-added resellers depend on Tech Data to cost-effectively support the technology needs of end users, including small and medium businesses (SMB), large enterprises and government agencies. Ranked 102nd on the FORTUNE 500(R), Tech Data generated $24.1 billion in net sales for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2009. To learn more, visit www.techdata.com.