Pelco chooses IT distributor Tech Data

CLOVIS, Calif.--In line with the company's increasing push into IP-based products, Pelco announced this week an exclusive relationship with traditional IT products distributor Tech Data. Through its Physical Security Specialized Business Unit, Tech Data will offer a broad array of Pelco products to IT and networking VARs.

"Pelco is a big name in the physical security space," said Tech Data vice president, networking product marking, John O'Shea. "We see this as a continuation for our focus on physical security, an extension of the current product line we offer to our IT resellers as well as the traditional security dealer, who now has more options as we see the IP-based security model really take off."

Tech Data began its physical security SBU roughly two years ago, and recently announced an expanded video surveillance station in the Tech Data solutions center at the distributor's headquarters here, where integrators can test and demonstrate IP cameras and recording and monitoring solutions.

Despite the economy, Jennifer Cook, manager of the Physical Security SBU, said, "we are very hopeful that this year will be a growth year for physical security. We have several partners that are very successful in the IP surveillance space and they are on a growth track for this year." Further, she said, "there are a lot of interesting new products that are very affordable," which might mitigate some of the reluctance to move from analog to IP in 2009.

O'Shea agreed, noting that IT VARs are emphasizing getting the most out of a corporate network. "They're already out there building out the infrastructure and managing the infrastructure," he said, "and when you look at infrastructure utilization, the trend on the IT side is to maximize the use of the infrastructure. We have a lot of VARs who package security to the CFOs to try to minimize the cost of that infrastructure."

While Tech Data does have its legacy in IT networking, O'Shea and Cook emphasized the company is eager to help traditional physical security integrators make the leap to IT and IP. "We have dedicated resources that are highly technical," Cook said.

"If you're looking to take the first steps into networking," said O'Shea, "then give us a call."