F5 Networks, Inc., the global leader in Application Delivery Networking, today named Westcon Group the company’s first global distribution partner. With this expanded relationship, Westcon and F5 Networks now offer global programs for traditional partners, managed service providers (MSPs), and global cloud providers. The partnership provides for deeper security engagement and competency, enabling the F5 channel to better address worldwide market opportunities.

The announcement was made during F5’s Agility Summit 2012, an invitation-only customer and partner conference, held July 23-25 in New York.

“Organizations are increasingly global in nature, and our channel partners need specialized worldwide programs to satisfy new requirements,” said Dean Darwin, SVP, Worldwide Partner Organization at F5. “Cloud and service providers need a standardized approach to efficiently support all types of users and business efforts around the world. Through the partnership, we’ll be able to leverage Westcon’s network of globally focused resources and better serve the security and IT needs of customers worldwide.”

Westcon is a value-added distributor of category-leading unified communications, network infrastructure, data center, and security solutions with a global network of specialty resellers. Westcon has previously served as an F5 distributor in the Americas, EMEA, and in parts of Asia Pacific. Today’s announcement signals the expansion of Westcon’s authority to distribute F5 solutions in many new countries and deepens the companies’ strategic relationship. The agreement ensures a comprehensive sales engagement process for F5’s channel and better addresses global needs with new programs and streamlined procedures.

Through this partnership with Westcon, F5 can more effectively:

Streamline and unify distribution services to address global initiatives

Develop worldwide programs to better address partner and customer priorities

Leverage channel sales distribution investments and resources across the globe.

By extending the partnership, F5 now benefits from Westcon’s worldwide reach, its proven ability to coordinate efforts between global customers and resellers, and Weston’s expertise with leading cloud and service providers that support multinational companies. In addition, F5 gains enhanced visibility into business and market opportunities for organizations operating on a global scale.

“Westcon prides itself on working with premier technology vendors to jointly address the most challenging IT priorities of our diverse partner base,” said Bill Corbin, Executive Vice President of Global Vendor Relationships, Westcon Group. “In particular, organizations look to us to ensure their network and connectivity solutions are reliable, secure, and supported every step of the way. We’re excited to share this broad-based, global expertise with F5, helping customers get the most out of F5’s powerful security and Application Delivery Networking solutions.”

F5 2012 Agility Awards

In addition to today’s announcement of its global distribution partnership with Westcon, F5 also announced the recipients of the company’s 2012 Agility Awards, recognizing excellence and innovation in F5’s customer and partnership community.