Technology Reseller - v19 2019

01732 759725 NEWS : DISTRIBUTORS 10 Tech Data has launched a web-based quote configuration tool for Dell EMC server solutions, which it has fully integrated with InTouch, its online sales platform in Europe. PowerQuote allows customers to build their own solutions and produces fast, accurate and relevant quotations across a range of Dell EMC PowerEdgeNow servers. As part of InTouch, it offers real-time visibility on pricing and inventory information, as well as access to upgrades and associated services. Andy Gass, Tech Data senior vice president, UK & Ireland and Digital Europe, said: “The integration of PowerQuote with InTouch is yet another step forward on our journey to enhance the Tech Data digital experience for customers. The combination of Dell EMC’s first-class product range and Tech Data’s InTouch platform as a digital hub for our end-to-end portfolio of solutions and services makes this a compelling and ground-breaking solution for the IT channel.” Once logged on to InTouch, Tech Data customers can see their own bespoke pricing, up-to-date information on the distributor’s stock of PowerEdgeNow servers and promotional discounts. Useful features include built-in configuration intelligence, which warns users if a configuration is invalid and suggests alternatives, and automatic add-on recommendations, such as support services and Microsoft Server Software licences, to aid up-selling. www.techdata.com New quote configuration tool for Dell EMC servers It’s a smash Nimans has launched an 80-second brand video and marketing campaign highlighting its ability to help resellers ‘smash’ the competition in the headset, handset and conferencing markets. It claims to be able to do this by supplying ‘superior’ devices and support services at competitive prices. For example, in the headset market, Nimans is the world’s biggest distributor of Sennheiser headsets; it generated record Jabra headset sales last year; it supplies the first officially certified Microsoft Teams devices from Yealink; and it recently teamed up with Cisco to offer its multiplatform telephones and headsets. www.youtube.com/ watch?v=DTRdutNX2_M City & Guilds training first for Nimans Nimans has been improving the skill levels of installers by holding a number of City & Guilds training programmes in conjunction with TotalComms Training. Hosted at the company’s Trafford Park Trade Counter, the courses enable installers to demonstrate their competency and gain the qualifications that are sometimes needed for on-site access. So far, Nimans has held a one- day course on Basic Principles of Communication Cabling and a three-day course on Copper Cabling in an Internal Environment. Next up are courses on fibre optic cabling and electrical installations. Trade Counter Manager Geoff Wilde said: “This is another valuable string to our evolving customer service proposition. There’s big demand for these types of course and people have been asking us to host them. They enable resellers to keep up to speed with new regulations and specifications, and lots more courses will follow.” 0161 979 0000 Nimans to run too Nimans has entered a team of runners into the Great Manchester Run, taking place on Sunday, May 19. It is hoping to raise £1,000 for two charities – The Christie and Children with Cancer. www.nimans.co.uk Tech Data launches sales training Tech Data is hoping to transform partner sales skills through a 12-month course that mixes on-demand courses, live online tuition every two weeks, monthly podcasts and quarterly face-to-face events. Led by training expert Fiona Challis, the Next-Gen Sales Academy is available through Tech Data’s InTouch online system and includes 46 bite-sized modules with the option of a nine-week ‘Fast Track’ Sales Transformation Programme. Cathi Low, Director SMB at Tech Data UK, said: “It’s now becoming much more important for sales teams to be able to articulate messages around the cloud, managed services, analytics and other emerging and transformational technologies. The Next-Gen Sales Academy is a great resource for resellers who want to fast-track their sales teams to the new way of selling.” 01256 788000 • www.techdata.com Time to embrace the Nimans of Things, resellers told Nimans Head of Solutions Sales, John McKindland, is urging resellers to take advantage of seamless and coordinated communications solutions, where all components of the supply chain can be sourced from one point – what he calls the Nimans of Things. “People are very familiar with the Internet of Things where lots of different devices connect online. We are introducing the ‘Nimans of Things’,” he explained. “We have dedicated cloud-based platforms from Unify and NEC, as well as a number of third-party devices that sit around them. Then there’s UC headsets and handsets and other associated end points. We’ve got all bases covered, from hardware and software to connectivity, plus many additional support services.” McKindland points out that the breadth of the Nimans portfolio can help resellers increase wallet share. “We could be talking to a customer quite happy selling a Yealink handset, but there’s a host of other associated technologies, such as cloud-based call recording, as well as any number of IP devices, such a door entry, CCTV – it all starts to cascade out. Often ideas, opportunities and technology are not all in one place, but in silos. We are the common denominator and can join it all together.” www.nimans.co.uk Andy Gass John McKindland Cathi Low