Bell Microproducts today announced that it has signed a distribution agreement with Force10 Networks, a networking solutions technology leader that serves the data center, service provider and enterprise markets. Under the terms of the agreement, Bell Micro will distribute Force10's complete portfolio of networking products throughout North America.

"Selecting Bell Micro as our distribution partner is a major step in extending our reach deep into the channel," said Andrew Stewart, vice president, channels and sales operations at Force10 Networks. "It's a win-win partnership, too. First, Bell is adding to its portfolio a technology leader that provides high performance networking solutions in mission-critical environments. Moreover, Bell's vast network of value-added resellers (VARs) will realize improved profitability through the generous margins and aggressive partner programs offered by Force10 Networks."

Bell Micro's large and varied base of resellers will now have access to Force10's entire line of networking products, including both the C-Series resilient switch and S-Series family of GbE and 10 GbE access switches. Geared towards the mid-market, Force10's networking solutions support high-performance, mission-critical network environments, including data centers, converged networks and cluster/grid computing.

"Force10 is one of the fastest-growing data center networking solution suppliers, and Bell Micro's reseller partners and business development programs are in perfect alignment with Force10's channel expansion goals," noted Gary Gammon, senior vice president of enterprise marketing for Bell Micro. "Bell Micro is already a strong provider of fibre channel-based data center networks, and we were looking for a partner that could provide top of the line IP-based networking products. This new partnership enables Bell Micro to provide our resellers with the technology to build out robust, high-performance IP infrastructures -- while also allowing them to expand their footprint in mid-size to large accounts. This was a strategic move for Bell Micro, and Force10 will play a key role in our overall networking strategy moving forward."

Force10's networking solutions are now available through Bell Microproducts. Please call 1-800-800-1513 or visit www.bellmicro.com.