Brightpoint is assuring customers that it will continue to be competitive on handheld HP products. The move comes after HP announced it was dropping its direct distribution relationship with the distributor in its forthcoming channel realignment.
"The decision by HP to transition our relationship to an indirect role will not impact our ability to sell and support its pocket PC products. We expect to be as competitive in the marketplace as we were before," said Mark Richards, marketing manager, Brightpoint Australia.
Richards also stressed that Brightpoint carries all four leaders in the handheld market -- Palm, Compaq, Handspring and Toshiba -- and is happy not to be closely affiliated with one vendor in such a competitive market.
"We want to carry the widest possible range for our customers and essentially look for the product that best suits whatever the reseller or customer wants.
"Our aim is to put solutions together rather than purely move boxes. We have a wide range of accessories, training, software and mobile phone products," he added.
In a joint statement released by Brightpoint and HP, Tony Bill, managing director of HP's personal systems group, said: "Brightpoint is one of our most valued business partners and as such we are working to ensure the company attains a higher level of account management and greater access to our inventory as well as value-added rebates and marketing support."
