Dicker Data NZ ups ante with Toshiba deal

Dicker Data New Zealand is promising more stock on hand, fast turnaround, easier and smoother purchasing and campaigns to drive sales for partners as it ramps up its Toshiba business and provides resellers with a competitive edge.

Dicker Data New Zealand inked a deal to distribute Toshiba computer products locally in April, expanding its parent company's long-standing partnership with the vendor in Australia.

Josh Te Hira, Dicker Data New Zealand business development manager, says market feedback suggest that traditionally, New Zealand has very little Toshiba stock in country 'and deals have been delayed or lost'.

"We are doubling down and will be holding good quantities of the range to deliver on opportunities for partners," Josh says.

"Our goal is to make it smoother and easier to purchase Toshiba, to have fast turnaround times and help drive sales for partners with numerous campaigns and offers for them to take to market," he adds.

Josh says Dicker Data also plans to have its configuration centre authorised to deliver customisation on the Toshiba range under warranty.

"All these things combine to give Toshiba resellers a competitive edge in the market," he says.

Toshiba is a key lynchpin in Dicker Data New Zealand's volume business.

Phil Presnall, Dicker Data New Zealand general manager of sales and marketing, has stated his goal of having one-third of the company's business coming from the volume space, with the company investing heavily in the area.

As well as Josh as business development manager, Bruce Tsay is on Dicker Data's Toshiba team as product manager, with additional headcount to come in the near future.

Josh says traditionally Toshiba was a driving force in the computer landscape in New Zealand, and the distributor is hoping to re-energise the market around the brand.

"Most resellers would have sold Toshiba and have a long history with the brand," he says. "We are going to re-energise those resellers – and if that means that along the way we pick up new partners who like what we are doing, that is a bonus.

The distributor also handles a range of vendors with complementary offerings to Toshiba's laptop range, offering resellers the chance to cross-sell.

"We have got Microsoft from a software productivity aspect, Intel Security from a security standpoint and Kingston and Targus offering peripherals such as bags and docks," Josh says.

Dicker Data was Toshiba's first PC distributor in Australia, and Toshiba Information Systems (Australia) general manager Rob Wilkinson says the distributor was 'a clear choice' for the next step of Toshiba's expansion into New Zealand.

He says Dicker Data New Zealand's appointment as a distributor enhances Toshiba's partner network and ensures coverage and choice.

"Our success if fundamentally aligned with our partners' success as the vast majority of our business is channel focused and we are sure that Dicker Data will deliver and grow our business in New Zealand," Wilkinson said earlier this year in announcing the appointment.

Dicker Data New Zealand is currently offering new resellers a $100 credit when opening a net-new Dicker Data resellers accounts. The offer runs through until 30 September and credit is not exchangeable for cash.