Juniper Networks has given Computerlinks and Azlan their marching orders following a review of the UK distributor line-up, leaving it with Arrow ECS, Avnet TS and Westcon.

The review began in May when Juniper named Will Hamber to manage its fragmented network of 30 wholesalers across EMEA.

Former HP and Edge-Core Networks director Hamber told The Channel in June he was talking to all of those partners and hinted cuts could be on the cards.

"The economic situation is not good so if we've got a lot of partners in one country it doesn't make sense," he said at the time.

Distribution sources said the decision to select the three disties was based on reseller coverage, growth plans and investments in demand generation.

"It was all about aligning to Juniper's global strategy," said a source, adding: "There were too many distributors in the UK, clearly".

The Channel's sources claimed that this was despite combined Juniper sales from Computerlinks and Azlan having risen by a whopping 20 per cent over the past year.

Computerlinks and Juniper refused to comment and Azlan was unavailable to comment. ®