Apple appoints Ingram Micro down-under

Ingram Micro has been selected as Apple’s second distribution partner in Australia, the companies announced today.

The distributor will offer Apple's iPad, iPod and Mac product range, as well as accessories and AppleCare products to authorised resellers and retailers.

CRN understands Ingram Micro distributes Apple products in some 20 countries already. An agreement covering New Zealand was signed in 2010.

The agreement announced today is expected to add impetus to Apple’s move into the enterprise, where it has a growing market presence due to rapid proliferation of iPhones and iPads, and where many of Ingram Micro’s partners have strong, established relationships.

Ingram Micro's existing portfolio of Apple-compatible brands also meant the announcement would create opportunities for resellers to develop more integrated buying strategies, the distributor said.

“With the depth and breadth of our reseller relationships, and our ability to deliver both Apple-branded products and Apple-compatible products from many of our existing vendor partners, we're able to offer our reseller partners comprehensive Apple-based solutions from a single distribution partner,” said Jay Miley, Ingram Micro Australia managing director.

The distribution partnership comes three weeks after Apple announced record results for the first quarter of 2012, in which it posted a net profit of $US13.6 billion ($A12.7 billion), more than double that recorded for the previous corresponding period.

Apple’s other distribution partner in Australia is Simms International.

Ingram Micro said it had formed a dedicated team to service the Apple account in Australia and had initiated programs to educate partners about Apple products.

It would also aid in the induction of those resellers which are not yet Apple-approved.