AMD HAS a new channel programme, called Fusion that will aim to reinforce the use of its own CPU and graphics processors together ("AMD And AMD" - so called triple A scheme), and encourage more systems builders to use AMD.

Cisco aims to double the level of financing deals that it supports through the channel. With the US currently with around 18% of its business financed by Cisco itself, Europe, with under 10% is seen as having some catching up to do.

LG Europe has been given a pile of money by its Korean parent and told to build a business channel, which it has started in the UK and Germany this week. Bringing in Barrie Guy, formerly with Sony and NEC, it wants to engage with a few thousand partners in each country to help sell more of its business displays and other products.

Infor wants to increase its EMEA channel partners by 20% by mid 2010. The recruitment will focus on seven countries, including the UK where Infor is seeking partners for its Performance Management (PM) and Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) solutions.

Stanimira Koleva, Director of SMB for Cisco Systems in Europe says she is looking for many more smaller partners. "I want to take it to the next level this year. We are over the basics of integration and infrastructure. Where we want to take it next is to expand the numbers of resellers working with us,|" she says."

London-based D-Link Europe has been evolving its Partner+ programme by revamping its partners' portal and integrating in it more training and marketing tools available to all its partners, whatever their certification level.

Hervé Camus-Haessler has joined SAP as the Senior Director of Channel Development across EMEA. He will be responsible for driving innovation with existing and new channel partners in order to broaden SAP's market reach, especially in the mid-market.

SaaS security specialist Optenet has entered into a distribution deal with UK-based distributor COMPUTERLINKS to deliver a worldwide channel programme.

Content security appliances specialist Barracuda Networks has enhanced its EMEA channel partner programme.

The wide range of updates includes a deal registration for increased sales protection and a tiered reseller plan to reward successful partners and aid partner recruitment.

Software company Neverfail has launched a new EMEA partner programme, with the intention of providing resellers across the channel with advanced levels of support, including training resources and technical advice.