Qwest, Tech Data deal beefs up e-commerce

Tech Data Corp. and Qwest Communications Inc. announced on Tuesday a partnership that would give both companies' customers better access to e-commerce services.

Tech Data, which provides services and product and logistics management to more than 100,000 technology resellers, will now be able to provide its customers access to more than 24,500 miles of scalable optical networking equipment.

Qwest will gain an extended sales force "that can provide mutual customers the value-added services they need to help them make the successful transition to the e-business Internet economy," said Roger Attick, Qwest's senior vice president of alternate channel markets. Qwest provides secure broadband, Internet-based data, voice, and image communications to businesses and individuals.

Under the agreement, Tech Data will offer its resellers and systems integrators Qwest's infrastructure solutions, broadband IP communications, World Wide Web hosting capabilities and ASP solutions, including electronic commerce packages, advanced business-video communications and Microsoft Corp. Windows 2000-based virtual private networks.

Customers also will have access to Qwest's Cybercenters, which give customers use of high-speed networks and state-of-the-art software without infrastructure support investments or paying for costly upgrades.

More information on the agreement is available at www.qwest.com or www.techdata.com.