NEWS : DISTRIBUTORS technologyreseller.co.uk 09 Linda Patterson Simon Bennett Tech Data is launching a Trusted Advisor campaign to make its customers aware of the full range of services and support available to enhance their efficiency, drive sales and achieve business objectives. Linda Patterson, Tech Data Group Marketing Director, UK and Ireland, said: “The campaign aims to bring to partners’ attention the whole range of services and resources available from Tech Data, from online tools and enablement programmes to technical, training, logistics, financial services, news and guides.” The campaign is initially highlighting 10 of the 60+ services that Tech Data believes most partners would benefit from in their day-to-day business that might be too costly, challenging or time-consuming for a partner to develop and run themselves. These are: 1. InTouch – Tech Data’s e-commerce platform gives customers access to real-time pricing and availability, promotions and bids, order tracking and account management; 2. StreamOne – the channel’s leading cloud aggregation platform for quotations, provisioning, management and billing of cloud services; 3. Software Store – a dedicated area for building accurate quotations and managing customer licensing orders and renewals; 4. Tech-as-a-Service – which enables resellers to offer hardware combined with software and services in a subscription package; 5. Tech Data Renew – a comprehensive trade-in programme for all products; 6. Technical Services – including pre- and post-sales advice, consultancy and support, migration, upgrades and training that partners can offer to their own customers; 7. Logistics Services – an industry-leading logistics and stock holding capability; 8. Enablement Programmes (Accelerate & Practice Builder) – to help partners develop specialisations in specific vendor solutions and next generation technologies and transform and accelerate their business; 9. Tech Data Communities (Tech Select & Tech Data Advance) – to help partners interact, share ideas and learn from each other and from Tech Data’s own experts; and 10. Tech Data Channel Academy – a free sales training resource that Tech Data customers can use to get their teams up to speed on the very latest solutions and technologies. www.techdata.com Tech Data launches Trusted Advisor campaign Exertis consolidates services businesses To make it easier for the channel to create new recurring annuity revenues and engage continuously with end users, Exertis is consolidating its services businesses to provide an end-to-end integrated portfolio covering the whole technology lifecycle. Its services encompass six key areas: n Consult – professional services to identify business improvements; n Deploy – configuration and installation solutions; n Maintain – 24x7 in-life support solutions; n Manage – 24x7 fully managed and proactive monitoring and support solutions; n Assist & Educate – on-demand technical assistance and training solutions; and n Recover – refurbishment and recycling solutions. Rod McCarthy, Managing Director of Exertis Services, said: “Our aim is to fully support and equip resellers to deliver a range of technical support services without the need for specialist expertise or expensive infrastructure investment. Our services portfolio can be provided on a ‘white label’ basis as complete or modular solutions, depending on partner needs.” Supported by Centres of Excellence (CoE), located in the UK and Ireland, the service is fully ISO-27001-accredited, with full disaster recovery systems and processes. Many services are available on a 24/7/365 basis, with vendor-endorsed and qualified engineers. VMWare award Tech Data has been named VMware UK&I Partner Distributor of the Year 2020 in recognition of its close engagement with VMware partners and its success in promoting the benefits of the VMware Cloud Provider Programme (VCPP) and helping MSPs increase VMware licensing subscription sales. Simon Bennett, Tech Data Director of Enterprise Software and Cloud, UK and Ireland, said: “We have a close relationship with VMware, an experienced and highly-skilled team and a clear strategy that focuses on enabling and supporting MSP partners that share our desire to grow profitably and sustainably. This award recognises the exceptional results that this unique combination continues to deliver.” www.techdata.com Ingram Micro adds financial services for resellers Ingram Micro has launched a suite of financial services to help partners achieve strategic goals, minimise customer pricing objections, accelerate revenue recognition and encourage repeat business for its services offering. Ingram Micro Financial Solutions provides affordable payment plans and structures for Ingram Micro and non-Ingram Micro solutions covering cloud, advanced solutions, managed services, professional services, IoT, configuration, reverse logistics & repairs, forward logistics and ITAD. Matt Sanderson, UKI MD Ingram Micro, said: “Adding Financial Solutions to our service offerings is a really exciting step forward for Ingram Micro. We recognise the role financing plays in protecting our partners’ business interest and its impact on their business growth, profitability and sustainability. We have invested our resources into building a specialist team to support our partners and their customers with financial solutions throughout the IT lifecycle.”
[email protected] Westcon-Comstor expands DevOps training programme Westcon-Comstor is extending the reach of its DevOps training programme through a new partnership with DevOps Institute that builds on its existing relationships with organisations such as Check Point. The partnership will allow Westcon- Comstor to expand the reach of its training programme to new audiences, including those working in Development and Operations, in addition to its traditional audience of technical experts and security engineers. Training and certifications offered by the professional development association pave the way for digital transformation by enabling users to become better aligned with different areas of their business, connecting IT practitioners, education partners, consultants, talent acquisition and business executives. Two thirds of organisations adopted DevOps in 2019, 15% more than in 2018, with the overall DevOps market due to grow to $15 billion in 2023. Daniel Hurel, VP Westcon EMEA Cybersecurity & Next Generation Solutions, said: “To succeed in a world that’s moving to DevOps, security groups need to be able to explain their concerns in language and terms that are relevant to the operational and development team.” www.academy.westconcomstor.com