Ingram Micro Enhances SMB Alliance Program - Debuts New Lineup of Valuable Business Resources and Channel Marketing Support
May 15 2006 - 9:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
Leading IT Distributor Helps U.S. Technology Manufacturers and
Solution Providers Sell and Service SMBs More Effectively SANTA
ANA, Calif., May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Helping solution providers
build their businesses, leading technology distributor Ingram Micro
Inc. (NYSE:IM) today announced several notable enhancements to its
SMB Alliance partner community -- a unique 3,500-member-strong
partner community developed exclusively to support U.S. technology
solution providers selling into small and midsize businesses
(SMBs). These new features and benefits include: * Flexible Finance
and Leasing * Customized IT Manufacturer Partner Programs Programs
and Support Tailored to SMBs * Face-to-Face, Regional Education *
Valuable Business Building and Training Seminars Resources, Tools
and Training * Targeted SMB-specific Channel * Member-to-Member
Networking Marketing, Sales and Technical and Partnership
Opportunities Support Founded in 2000, Ingram Micro's SMB Alliance
has quietly grown into a powerful community of fast-growth
technology solution providers with a combined yearly purchasing
power of more than $1.5 billion. Further strengthening its market
position, Ingram Micro also announced plans to raise the visibility
of SMB Alliance within the IT channel through proactive marketing
and sales efforts, including full-day regional business-practice
conferences focused on training SMB VARs how to run the operational
side of their businesses more efficiently and profitably. "Being a
part of the SMB Alliance, or any Ingram Micro community, is the
best way for solution providers to implement best practices,
partner with like-minded business owners and walk away with
concrete strategies and tactics that will grow their businesses,"
says Justin Crotty, vice president, channel marketing, Ingram Micro
North America. "Solution providers are constantly looking for ways
to differentiate themselves and maximize the value and service they
bring to their clients. By turning up the volume on Ingram Micro's
SMB Alliance and adding new resources and enhanced business
offerings, we're helping our partners do just that and more."
Ingram Micro's SMB Alliance Community Offers New Benefits and
Higher Value As part of the SMB Alliance, solution providers
receive a number of partner benefits and value-added resources
including: * Face-to-face business skills and training delivered by
recognized industry partners. * In-depth training tools on business
processes, operations and profitability. * SMB-specific financing
programs with net-45-day terms on all purchases made through
financing partner Textron. * SMB-specific leasing program offers
members a $50 credit memo for every deal made after initial deal is
completed. * Free shipping on Ingram Micro Outlet transactions. *
Discounted Ingram Micro help desk offerings. * CompTIA membership,
discounts on Dunn & Bradstreet membership and reports, business
insurance, and discounts on OfficeMax purchases, FedEx shipping and
Sprint long distance. * Access to Ingram Micro's proprietary
Technology Assessment Profile (TAP) application developed to help
solution providers understand the initial scope of technology needs
for small-business clients. * Exclusive manufacturer partner
programs available only to SMB Alliance members. "One of the most
valuable benefits solution providers gain from joining SMB Alliance
is the peer-to-peer networking," says Peter DiMarco, vice president
and general manager, VAR sales, Ingram Micro U.S. "In addition to
sharing best practices, the community empowers solution providers
to openly discuss business models and use one another's expertise
to complement their own technical or service capabilities. The
relationships gained from Ingram Micro's communities bring an
immeasurable amount of value that solution providers just can't get
anywhere else." Active SMB Alliance member Bill Lopez, chief
information officer/chief security officer of Helio Solutions in
Santa Clara, Calif., concurs, stating that Ingram Micro's SMB
Alliance has been one of the company's primary growth tactics. "We
use the SMB Alliance as a validation of what we've done in the past
and what we're doing now." In addition to the day-to-day networking
and partnerships with fellow colleagues, as well as the formalized
and focused education and online resources that members have access
to, Lopez says one of the best things about the SMB Alliance for
Helio Solutions is that solution providers can never outgrow it. "A
lot of the material -- namely, the educational portion -- is
garnering a lot of positive benefit. SMB Alliance works, and VARs
should take advantage of the opportunity." Manufacturers Look to
SMB Alliance for Growth In addition to solution providers, the SMB
Alliance offers significant benefit to channel-friendly
manufacturers that provide products, solutions and services
designed for SMBs. As a sponsor of SMB Alliance, manufacturers
receive access to more than 3,500 pre-qualified solution providers
who sell almost exclusively into SMBs. Ingram Micro's SMB Alliance
community also provides manufacturers with hands-on training and
education courses, as well as solution provider roundtables that
focus on best practices, strategies and tactics for effective
channel marketing and communications. "The SMB Alliance, as well as
our other partner communities, are the first in line for
manufacturers and software developers that want solid returns on
their marketing, sales, and technical resources and support
investments," continues Crotty. "Many of our manufacturer partners
recognize that Ingram Micro's communities and solution providers
have what it takes to move the needle when it comes to selling and
servicing SMBs. That's why we've seen significant growth in
manufacturer participation, both in the SMB Alliance and our other
partner communities in 2005 and into 2006." For More Information on
the SMB Alliance Program To learn more about Ingram Micro's SMB
Alliance partner community, please contact , or your Ingram Micro
local sales representative. About Ingram Micro As a vital link in
the technology value chain, Ingram Micro creates sales and
profitability opportunities for vendors and resellers through
unique marketing programs, outsourced logistics services, technical
support, financial services, and product aggregation and
distribution. The company serves 100 countries and is the only
broadline global IT distributor with operations in Asia. Visit
http://www.ingrammicro.com/. DATASOURCE: Ingram Micro Inc. CONTACT:
Marie Meoli of WhiteFox Marketing & Communications,
+1-949-855-0335, , for Ingram Micro Inc. Web site:
http://www.ingrammicro.com/
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