TD SYNNEX levels up AI strategy with new appointment

Andy Brown has been named to lead the distie’s data and analytics, line-of-business applications, and AI-driven solutions arm

TD SYNNEX has stepped up its AI game with a new appointment to spearhead partner growth in the fast-developing technology.

Andy Brown has been named senior business unit director of data and applications in the UK and Ireland for the NYSE-listed company.

Brown will oversee the distributor’s fast-developing area of its advanced solutions portfolio and take responsibility for TD SYNNEX's destination AI strategy.

Major vendor partners are making significant joint investments with TD SYNNEX to support destination AI, its all-in-one programme for reseller partners.

According to TD SYNNEX’s recent third annual Direction of Technology Report, channel partners are cautious of an ‘all-in’ approach to ramping up AI innovation and instead favour a balance between AI hype and a core business focus.

One of the vendor investments will see systems with the latest neural processing units (NPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs) made available for partners to run demonstrations and proof-of-concept testing within the TD SYNNEX Business Solutions Centre (BSC) in Bracknell.

A second will provide AI-readiness education and enablement to support ISVs in building AI solutions and taking them to market.

“This appointment and the additional joint investments that TD SYNNEX is making with vendor partners, underlines our total commitment to supporting partner growth in AI and in data and applications – all of which are fast-growing areas of opportunity for us and our partners,” said Simon Bennett, managing director of advanced solutions, UK&I at TD SYNNEX.

In his new role, Brown will head up the distie’s data and analytics, line-of-business applications, and AI-driven solutions business, and manage relationships with key vendors.

Brown added: “I am honoured to have been given this opportunity to lead our efforts in these vitally important areas of huge potential.

“With the significant resources already in place and more investments being made, TD SYNNEX is ready to drive real partner success.

“In destination AI we have a unique programme – I’m excited to be taking the lead on that and helping more partners to chart their own journey to AI enlightenment.”

Brown has been technical services director of advanced solutions in the UK for the past eight years, and brings more than two decades of experience to this new position.