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Tech Data to Partner with CMD, Storm Technology

CMD Technology, Irvine, Calif., and Tech Data Corp., Clearwater, Fla., signed a strategic partnership for distribution of CMD's redundant array of independent disks, or RAID, controller and storage technology. The agreement will make CMD's Daytona RAIDarray product available to Tech Data's more than 50,000 value-added resellers and retail dealers worldwide. The Daytona provides a desktop solution for high-performance workstations and mid-sized servers. It is advertised as being able to be installed in 30 minutes or less.

Tech Data is also teaming with Storm Technology Inc., Mountain View, Calif., a provider of photo scanning solutions for the consumer digital photography market. Tech Data will distribute the EasyPhoto Drive photo scanner, which can be installed on any PC.

Microsoft Initiates Program

Microsoft Corp., Redmond, Wash., announced a new hardware discount program for its volume purchase customers. Under the Hardware Volume Purchasing Program, select customers can buy Microsoft ergonomic input devices at a discount. The program gives existing Microsoft select members discounts of up to 35 percent when they buy particular hardware through any of the company's large account resellers nationwide. Customers are required to buy hardware in five-pack configurations but these come fully packaged with a warranty.

Compaq Recognizes Creative Computers

Creative Computers Inc., Torrance, Calif., will sell Houston-based Compaq Computer Corp.'s line of notebook and desktop computers through the direct-response order channel. The products will be marketed through Creative's PC Mall catalog and sales force. The addition of Compaq's commercial line is intended to boost Creative's push into the PC market. Creative's sales in 1996 totaled $445 million.

ICL Launches Software

ICL Inc., Reston, Va., is rolling out its legacy integration and re-engineering tool kit in North America. Dialogue Manager, previously marketed in countries abroad, is designed to enable information systems providers to introduce new client environments quickly, and at a low cost. Developers of enterprise-scale systems can now create Windows clients that integrate access to many server and legacy applications from one screen, without the need to modify existing software. The tool kit integrates all leading server environments and supports direct PC-to-host connectivity.

Merisel Sells Subsidiary, Signs Agreement

Merisel Inc., El Segundo, Calif., signed an agreement to sell the assets of its wholly owned subsidiary, Merisel FAB Inc., Pleasanton, Calif., to Synnex Information Technologies Inc., Fremont, Calif.

Merisel FAB Inc. operates Merisel's ComputerLand franchise and Datago aggregation businesses.

The transaction is expected to close within 60 days pending the requisite approvals. Merisel and Synnex have already received clearance from the Federal Trade Commission. Synnex has said that it will keep the name ComputerLand for the retail outlets.
No further terms of the agreement were released.

Merisel also signed an agreement with Osicom Technologies Inc., Santa Monica, Calif., to distribute Osicom's line of remote access products. The line includes remote access servers, leased-line and dial-up routers, Ethernet switches, hubs and network print servers.

-Matt Hines

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