Home / Resources / The connectivity podcast / EP63: Channel transformation, global growth, and advisory‑led partnerships

Channel transformation,
global growth, and
advisory‑led partnerships

What’s reshaping the future of the technology channel? Rob Merhej, VP EMEA at AVANT, joins Mattias Fridström to discuss:

  • How AVANT evolved from a small startup to a global advisory‑led technology services distributor
  • The shift from traditional reselling to a modern trusted‑advisor model across cloud, connectivity, co‑location, cybersecurity, and AI
  • Why recurring‑revenue, as‑a‑service solutions are now central to partner go‑to‑market strategies
  • How AVANT supports partners with engineering expertise and agnostic guidance to navigate complex, multi‑site customer requirements
  • Key differences between the US and European channel ecosystems – and how European markets are rapidly catching up
  • The impact of AI deployments, co‑location growth, and increasing connectivity demands on the channel’s momentum

Don’t miss this insightful look into how the partner landscape is evolving – and why the trusted‑advisor model is becoming indispensable in today’s technology world.

Mattias Fridström, Chief Evangelist
Mattias Fridström
There’s a certain kind of person who gets a little bit too excited about networks. Mattias is that guy. If he had a tattoo, it would be of a network. Mattias holds an MSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wollongong, Australia. (...)
He joined Telia in 1996 and has worked in a number of senior roles at Telia Carrier (now Arelion), most recently as CTO. Since July 2016 he has been Arelion's Chief Evangelist. Mattias’ passion isn’t limited to networks: He has played golf professionally and competed on a high level in both football and floor hockey.
Rob Merhej
VP EMEA at AVANT

Rob Merhej has led the growth of AVANT’s international business across the EMEA region since 2016. With a background supporting software vendors expanding into EMEA, Rob specializes in building high-performing channel ecosystems for primarily US-based vendors across the UK and Europe.

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A strong advocate for the channel, he works closely with both leading VARs and emerging startups to help them succeed in the rapidly evolving as-a-service market.

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