Westcon Group's parent company Datatec has announced its decision to buy Auckland-based distributor Datastor, in an attempt to penetrate in the data centers and virtualization arena. Datastor would continue with its existing management under CEO Dave Rosenberg, who needs to report Wendy O'Keeffe, the Executive Vice-president of Westcon Group Asia.

O'Keeffe said: "As part of the acquisition we've taken over the lease of the Datastor building because it's purpose built for distribution. We've got a remaining lease on our office in the city but come April 1, its Dave's decision what he wants to do."

After operating independently up to 31 March, the firm will start new networking division on April 1, under the current management of Westcon Group. Rosenberg said that the new role of Westcon Group sales manager, Dayle Barnes, would be soon decided.

Rosenberg added, "Dayle's role hasn't been sorted through but I see him as a strategic part of our business moving forward and a strategic part of our leadership team." He ruled out any possibility of layoffs, adding that both the groups are economically sound.

The outgoing Datastor Executive Director, Vic Dickerson, confirmed that both firms were in touch since last two years. He said, "We really got serious two months ago and completed the deal in two months."