Mistral Software to become a division of Soft Solutions
“Business as usual” for the Nuance brand
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, 15 February, 2010 – Mistral Software, the New Zealand distributor for Nuance Communications speech and imaging solutions, has merged to a division of Soft Solutions.
The Managing Director of Mistral Software, Megan Twentyman, feels the change is bitter-sweet: ^“This has been my baby for more than 11 years, but for family reasons I need to step back from the daily responsibility of running Mistral, and I know that Chris and his team at Soft Solutions will continue the quality of representation that the Nuance brand deserves.”
For his part, Chris Fitzgerald, the Managing Director of Soft Solutions, is quick to say it will be ‘business as usual’. “We have sub-distributed the Nuance brand for a number of years into the VAR market, but this will be our first foray into direct retail. Change is good, and this new channel will enhance the value that Soft Solutions offers for all of our vendors.”
Ms Twentyman will remain at Soft Solutions in a part-time capacity to manage the brand and upskill employees in retail management. Mistral Software’s South Island rep Janette Cannell will also remain, with Chris Leslie joining the team to look after North Island retail customers.
Until the merger, Mistral Software was the sole New Zealand distributor for Nuance Communications. Vicki Rigg, the Nuance Channel Sales Manager – APAC, is positive about the change: “Mistral Software has been a proactive distributor in the New Zealand market for 11 years. This recent development is an opportunity for everyone concerned. The change will benefit our channel partners dramatically. I feel that with Megan’s assistance combined with the Soft Solutions business model, we can drive sales to record levels.”
About Soft Solutions
Since 1995, Soft Solutions has been a distributor of computer products, particularly in the areas of security, network management, and storage. Key vendors include ManageEngine, Trend Micro, StorageCraft, Sunbelt Software, GFI, and Corel. Another major part of our operation is a procurement service for resellers. We track down any hardware or software that a reseller needs help finding, by name or by function, from around the corner or around the world. Soft Solutions supplies products to computer resellers nationwide.
About Mistral Software
Mistral Software has represented the Nuance brand – components of which have formerly been marketed under the ScanSoft, Lernout & Hauspie and Dragon Systems brands – since 1998, and their staff have been involved with the products even longer.
About Nuance Communications
Nuance is a leading provider of speech and imaging solutions for businesses and consumers around the world. Its technologies, applications and services make the user experience more compelling by transforming the way people interact with information and how they create, share and use documents. Every day, millions of users and thousands of businesses experience Nuance’s proven applications and professional services. For more information, please visit the Nuance website.