Largest Global IT Products Distributor Becomes Cisco's Largest Worldwide Customer
SANTA ANA, Calif., Oct. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE:IM)
, the largest global wholesale provider of technology products and services, today announced that its U.S. subsidiary has distributed more than $1 billion in Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO)
products during Cisco's fiscal year 2000. This achievement reflects more than 100 percent year-over-year growth for Ingram Micro in the Cisco product area and positions Ingram Micro as Cisco's largest worldwide customer.
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"We credit Ingram Micro's exceptional revenue growth to its strong market presence in the small-medium business arena and its ability to execute," said Tushar Kothari, vice president, channels, Cisco Systems. "We have and will continue to utilize Ingram Micro's strengths to reach our channel market share goals."
In the past year, the two companies have worked together to achieve this milestone. In May, more than 1,000 members of Ingram Micro's U.S. sales force earned Cisco's Certified Sales Expert status through the Cisco Sales Essentials small-to-midsize business (SMB) training course. The training provided the sales team with fundamental knowledge of Cisco's SMB product line and additional preparation for in-depth technical questions about the company and networking. Cisco also honored Ingram Micro with "Best Year-Over-Year Performance for a U.S. Distributor" at its Worldwide Partner Summit 2000.
Ingram Micro has established a world-class Cisco technical support team consisting of 12 Cisco-certified design associates and more than 10 Cisco-certified network associates, who receive and handle up to 10,000 calls each month. Ingram Micro also has a dedicated sales and marketing team consisting of 24 product and sales specialists, 10 purchasing managers and four marketing managers to provide support and services tailored to help value-added resellers and technology solution providers better serve their customers.
"We commend Cisco for its commitment to channel distribution and willingness to combine their great products with Ingram Micro's services to achieve this milestone"," said Kevin Murai, president, Ingram Micro U.S. "Our success with Cisco is a result of Ingram Micro's dedication to providing our customers with world-class technology solutions and our ability to tap emerging markets, such as SMBs."
Qualified resellers can receive financial support for Cisco purchases from Ingram Micro including financing, leasing options, end-user financing and up to 60-day flooring from Deutsche Financial Services. The company also offers funding for marketing opportunities, such as Cisco training events.
Additionally, Ingram Micro hosts national seminar series to educate technology solution providers on the various Cisco technologies, solutions and program support available to them through Ingram Micro. Featured programs throughout this year have included SmartStart, enabling partners to provide pre-configured e-commerce product bundles with available financing, and SMARTnet, allowing resellers to provide remote support and on-site parts service to customers.
About Ingram Micro
Ingram Micro Inc. is the largest global wholesale provider of technology solutions, products and services. The company operates in 34 countries with sales exceeding $29 billion for the past four reported quarters. Ingram Micro's global regions offer e-commerce solutions, logistics services, and technology product distribution and marketing to more than 175,000 technology solution providers and manufacturers. The company is focused on maximizing shareowner value and achieving customer satisfaction by continuously innovating the IT supply chain. Visit http://www.ingrammicro.com/.
About Cisco Systems, Inc.
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO)
is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. News and information are available at www.cisco.com
Ingram Micro and the registered Ingram Micro logo are trademarks used under license by Ingram Micro Inc.
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Source: Ingram Micro Inc.
Contact: Becky Vieira, ext. 231, becky_vieira@benjamingroup.com, or
Carrie Brooks, ext. 239, both of Benjamin Group/BSMG Worldwide, 949-260-1300,
for Ingram Micro Inc.; or Jennifer Marchetta, Media Relations of Ingram Micro
Inc., 714-382-2692, jennifer.marchetta@ingrammicro.com
Website: http://www.cisco.com/
Website: http://www.ingrammicro.com/