Tech Data's Apple-focused revenues are growing rapidly, and the distribution giant credits Apple's growing product diversity across the consumer, business and enterprise segments.
Indeed, Tech Data's Apple-related revenues jumped 30 percent in Q4 2016 vs. Q4, 2015. While the figure is impressive, Tech Data CEO Robert ("Bob") Dutkowsky is quick to put the numbers in context during a call with ChannelE2E this morning.
"Apple regularly comes out with a whole array of new offerings across their product lines," says Dutkowsky. "And we offer a range of Apple products like desktops, notebooks, iPads, Apple TV, Apple Watch and iPhone in some geographies. We didn't sell some of those products the previous year. So, part of our success involves selling more types of Apple products. Part of the success involves more market demand. And they other part is Apple's push into the enterprise."
Roll all those variables together, "and you get the Apple-focused growth we've delivered," continues Dutkowsky. "This wasn't about emphasizing Apple over Windows PCs. It was the combination of factors I mentioned."
Apple, IBM, Cisco and the Enterprise
Dutkowsky also is keeping a close eye on Apple's enterprise-focused relationships with IBM and Cisco Systems. Tech Data ranks among the few distributors that has relationships with all three of those companies, he notes.
"We're in a great position as those enterprise alliances begin to unfold," Dutkowsky says. "There's a lot of development happening on the iOS front that, over time, will be a nice opportunity for Apple and IBM, and Apple and Cisco."
Here are more highlights from ChannelE2E's call with Dutkowsky.
