Keith Alexis, General Manager of Edgecore Networks Recognized as a 2010 Channel Chief by Everything Channel's CRN

IRVINE, Calif.. April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Edgecore Networks, a joint venture of LG-Nortel and Accton Technology, and global manufacturer of application-driven performance networking solutions for SMB and enterprise LAN networks, hospitality and other MxU environments, today announced that the company's general manager, Keith Alexis, has been named a 2010 Channel Chief by Everything Channel's CRN.  According to Everything Channel, Channel Chiefs consistently defend, promote and execute effective channel partner programs and strategies, and are leaders in creating effective channel programs for solution providers.

Under Alexis' guidance, Edgecore Networks, formerly SMC Networks, implemented a number of major changes in 2009 designed to make the company's solutions easier and more profitable to sell by the channel and reseller partners.  In addition to spinning off SMC's business networking division and creating Edgecore Networks in November 2009, the company also increased margins by eight percent over the previous year, enhanced its partner program and launched a number of innovative, value-packed 10G Base-T solutions.

For the eighth consecutive year, the Channel Chiefs were chosen by the Everything Channel editorial team based upon criteria which included policy and program innovations made during the past year, the amount of revenue their company generates through partners, their willingness to speak out publicly on behalf of the channel, and the number of years they have dedicated to channel activities.

"It is truly an honor to be selected by Everything Channel as a Channel Chief as it validates the efforts that we are making toward the continuous improvement of the program to make ourselves a strong strategic vendor for our channel partners,"  explained Alexis.  "Throughout 2009, we expanded our solutions portfolio through the launch of a number of innovative high-performance solutions designed to offer our reseller partners a more complete set of value-packed offerings for the diverse requirements of their clientele. Of course, towards the end of the year we took the bold step of separating our business networking solutions from the well-established and reputable SMC brand and creating Edgecore Networks.  The launch of Edgecore was planned and executed with our resellers in mind as it would enable us to eliminate channel confusion and provide them with a differentiated brand and a powerful reseller program that would enable them to grow their businesses and increase profitability."

"Being named a Channel Chief is one of the most prestigious honors in the IT industry.  This year's Channel Chiefs offers tremendous insight into the who's who of the Channel," said Kelley Damore, VP, Editorial Director, Everything Channel.  "Top channel executives consistently ensure that the Channel's voice is heard when strategic decisions are being made and continually nurture mutually profitable relationships.  We applaud the 2010 Channel Chiefs for their successful partner programs and strategies."

For additional information on the CRN Channel Chief list, visit www.channelweb.com.  The Channel Chief list was published in the February 22, 2010 issue.

About Everything Channel (www.everythingchannel.com, www.channelweb.com)

Everything Channel, headquartered in Framingham, MA, is a technology marketing and sales solutions company.  Through its "Complete Technology Channel Solution," Everything Channel offers the right business tools to accelerate technology sales.  From branding and recruiting to marketing and sales, Everything Channel offers technology marketers the unmatched breadth and depth of global brands and market intelligence combined with unparalleled audience loyalty and credibility serving all technology sales channels through an extensive database.  Everything Channel provides innovative field sales and marketing solutions to the sellers of technology to achieve measurable and significant results.

About United Business Media Limited

UBM (UBM.L) focuses on two principal activities: worldwide information distribution, targeting and monitoring; and, the development and monetisation of B2B communities and markets. UBM's businesses inform markets and serve professional commercial communities -- from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewelry traders, from farmers to pharmacists -- with integrated events, online, print and business information products. Our 6,500 staff in more than 30 countries are organised into specialist teams that serve these communities, bringing buyers and sellers together, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently. For more information, go to www.ubm.com.

About LG-Nortel

LG-Nortel is a joint venture of LG Electronics and Nortel. Established in 2005, LG-Nortel provides leading edge telecommunications equipment and network solutions, spanning wired and wireless technologies, to service provider and enterprise customers in Korea and around the world. LG-Nortel is also actively developing next generation solutions for global markets, with over 750 skilled R&D engineers currently focused on wireless broadband technology evolution and the development of powerful new product lines. For more information on LG-Nortel, visit www.lg-nortel.com.

About Edgecore Networks, Inc.

Edgecore Networks, Inc., formerly SMC Networks, Inc., and now a joint venture of LG-Nortel and Accton Technology, is a global manufacturer of application-driven performance networking solutions designed to meet and exceed partner requirements and maximize return on investment.  Our market focuses include providing solutions for SMB & enterprise LAN networks, hospitality and other MxU environments, and Metro Ethernet technology for value conscious service providers.  

Edgecore Networks features a robust portfolio of networking solutions that includes managed SMB/E switches, Metro Access solutions and a variety of business-class WiFi solutions, all tied together through an advanced network management system.  Leveraging SMC Networks' 33-year legacy of channel loyalty, profitability, advanced technology, and dedicated partner support, Edgecore Networks provides its channel partners with a reseller program that is backed by a full complement of end-to-end networking solutions and is designed to maximize return-on-investment and increase profitability.

For more information, visit Edgecore Networks at: http://www.edgecorenetworks.com.

© 2010 Edgecore Networks, Inc. Edgecore Networks and the Edgecore Networks logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Edgecore Networks in the United States and/or other countries. Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved.

SOURCE Edgecore Networks, Inc.