FileMaker appoints Ingram to fight ignorance

As eluded to in The Channel on September 27, database software vendor FileMaker has appointed Ingram Micro as its exclusive New Zealand distributor. The brand has previously been distributed in New Zealand by Renaissance.

Steve McManus, Filemaker regional manager for Asia Pacific, made it clear that the vendor doesn't chop and change its distribution partners often. The move is designed to broaden channel opportunities and create fresh interest in Filemaker's software.

McManus sees the company's key challenge as fighting ignorance about how its solutions can offer productivity improvements to New Zealand SMBs. He says he sees paper forms in almost every business he encounters that can be streamlined and made more efficient using his solutions.

The official announcement is being made on October 10, with stock arriving at Ingram Micro's facilities before Friday 14.

Background:

- The precursor to Ingram Micro, Tech Pacific was New Zealand's FileMaker distributor for a number of years before Renaissance.

- Ingram Micro is Filemaker's distributor in North America and Europe, but not in Australia.

- FileMaker will continue to sell its software directly to its accredited developers, but there is no margin advantage for these developers whether they purchase direct from Filemaker or via Ingram Micro.

- FileMaker has been riding the wave of iPad's succcess with its FileMaker Go product, which is helping the company to record consistent growth in recent quarters.

- The vendor is a wholly owned subsidiary of Apple Inc. although most of its solutions are available for Windows as well as Mac OS X and iOS.