BRIGHTSTAR EUROPE PARTNERS WITH MICROSOFT TO DELIVER END-TO-END MOBILE SOLUTIONS ACROSS EUROPE
BARCELONA, Spain — Feb. 13, 2008 – Brightstar Europe, a joint venture between Tech Data Corporation (NASDAQ: TECD) and Brightstar Corp, today announced that they are partnering with Microsoft Corp. to deliver end-to-end mobility solutions for small and medium enterprises in Europe.
Under the terms of the agreement, Brightstar Europe will promote, support and offer training of Windows Mobile devices and solutions to Tech Data’s IT reseller network and Brightstar’s mobile resellers. This is the first agreement of its kind between the two companies in Europe and it will provide small and medium enterprises in the EU region with a complete mobility offering, including servers, devices, services and support. According to IDC, the number of mobile workers in Western Europe will increase from 84 million in 2006 to over 91 million by end of 2011 and the percentage of mobile workers who are wireless data-enabled is predicted to grow from 36 percent to more than 50 percent.
Windows Mobile phones provide a powerful solution to small and medium enterprises by offering seamless connectivity with Microsoft’s Exchange Server and Small Business Server family of products, and by offering on-the-go productivity capabilities, including email and document editing, with the suite of Microsoft Office Mobile and support for additional line of business (LOB) applications.
“Small and medium-sized businesses have the same interest in leveraging their investments and adopting mobile technologies as large enterprises, but often face resource challenges,” said Eric Hermelee, Director of Channel Marketing, Mobile Communications Business, Microsoft Corp. “We are pleased to support Brightstar Europe and their resellers to help their customers easily incorporate mobile solutions and take advantage of new possibilities for business productivity.”
Brightstar Europe provides “next generation distribution” via innovative third party logistics (3PL) and demand generation solutions. Combining the resources, infrastructure and expertise of two market leading distribution companies, Brightstar Europe can provide significant access to the SME market, which is becoming increasingly reliant upon mobile devices that provide Windows-based solutions, through its breadth of IT and mobility resellers. In Europe, Tech Data sells to 75,000 resellers across 18 countries.
Via the agreement, Brightstar Europe will offer special Windows Mobile phone bundles tailored to Small and Medium Enterprises with Microsoft Small Business Server (SBS), Microsoft Exchange and Line of Business (LoB) applications.
Rod Millar, president of Brightstar Europe, said, “There is a clear requirement for complete mobility solutions and small businesses are keen to adopt the latest mobile technologies. Microsoft’s solution is integral to the expansion of a strong and dynamic SME marketplace in Europe, and the ability to deliver this solution on mobile devices is a critical growth opportunity.”
About Brightstar Europe
Brightstar Europe is a joint venture between Tech Data Corporation and Brightstar Corp. and was created to provide advanced distribution and supply chain solutions for mobile devices to customers throughout Europe. Tech Data Corporation (NASDAQ GS: TECD) is a leading distributor of IT products, with more than 90,000 customers in over 100 countries. Ranked 109th on the FORTUNE 500®, Tech Data generated $21.4 billion in sales for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2007. For more information, visit http://www.techdata.com. Brightstar Corp. is a global leader in customized distribution and supply chain solutions with facilities in 50 countries, serving customers on six continents. In 2006, Brightstar generated $3.6 billion in revenue. For more information, visit http://www.brightstarcorp.com.
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Contacts:
Sally Lange
VP Global Marketing and Public Relations
Brightstar Corp.
+1-786-863-0764
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Nigel Judd
Marketing Services Director, Europe
Tech Data Europe
+351-91720-4492
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