New SMB Alliance Program Offers Value-Added Resellers a Competitive Edge In Capturing Profitable Business Opportunities
SANTA ANA, Calif., April 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Dedicated to helping customers capitalize on the growing small- to mid-sized business (SMB) market, Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE:IM)
, the largest global wholesale provider of technology products and supply chain management services, has created SMB Alliance, a new business development program for value-added resellers (VARs) in the U.S.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000801/IMLOGO )
SMB Alliance offers Ingram Micro customers an array of benefits ranging from attractive financing packages and enhanced technical support to expanded networking opportunities and dedicated sales support personnel. The program is designed to provide VARs with the right mix of business development resources to capture profitable business opportunities with SMBs.
"With SMB Alliance, Ingram Micro is further demonstrating our commitment to helping VARs of all sizes take advantage of business opportunities in the growing SMB technology market," said Kevin Murai, president, Ingram Micro U.S. "SMB Alliance promotes partnerships within the VAR community and demonstrates the true value and scale Ingram Micro can bring to help our VAR customers grow."
Beginning April 16, Ingram Micro will invite more than 5,000 VARs to participate in SMB Alliance. The program complements the company's existing VAR programs, VentureTech Network and Premier VAR Plus. SMB Alliance expands Ingram Micro's support to mid-range VARs, providing the business development resources aimed at creating opportunities with SMB end-users.
SMB Alliance Program Gives Resellers A Competitive Edge
As an active participant in Ingram Micro's SMB Alliance, VARs will receive dedicated internal and external resources, as well as tools and information to increase sales, turn higher profits and identify future SMB leads. SMB Alliance features a wide variety of customized services, a dedicated Web site and other support offerings. Key features include:
-- Dedicated SMB sales support resources for VARs and competitive,
personalized pricing models
-- Priority technical support, as well as free technical support for
members who do not meet minimum standards
-- Finance and leasing programs, including an SMB financial services help
desk, financial consultants, end-user financing and purchase order
financing
-- Priority product allocation benefits and training and skills
development programs
-- Community-based networking with a member-to-member locator
-- Valuable business resources, such as credit reports, competitive rates
on long distance services and health and business insurance, human
resources consulting services and membership in CompTIA
"Participation in SMB Alliance allows SMB VARs to maximize their customer reach, secure partnerships and strategically position themselves as a viable player in the SMB marketplace," said Bob Stegner, vice president of channel development, Ingram Micro U.S. "This program is a unique value proposition for VARs, blending SMB business development tools with Ingram Micro's extensive resources for new technology opportunities and high-value services. The program gives VARs a competitive advantage in the marketplace with the products, services and financial support they need to succeed."
Enrollment and Fees
Enrollment in Ingram Micro's SMB Alliance is voluntary and free to SMB VARs. Interested VARs should contact their Ingram Micro account manager at 1-800-456-8000 or email SMB@ingrammicro.com.
About Ingram Micro Inc.
Ingram Micro Inc. is the largest global wholesale provider of technology products and supply chain management services. The company operates in 36 countries with sales of $30.7 billion for the fiscal year 2000. Ingram Micro's global regions provide the distribution of technology products and services, marketing development and supply chain management services to more than 175,000 technology solution providers and 1,700 manufacturers. The company is focused on maximizing shareowner value and achieving customer satisfaction through innovation in the information technology supply chain. Visit http://www.ingrammicro.com/.
Ingram Micro and the registered Ingram Micro logo are trademarks used under license by Ingram Micro Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective companies.
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Source: Ingram Micro Inc.
Contact: Marie Meoli, ext. 229, marie_meoli@benjamingroup.com, or Lisa
Falcetti, ext 234, lisa_falcetti@benjamingroup.com, both of Benjamin
Group/BSMG Worldwide, 949-260-1300, for Ingram Micro Inc.; or Jennifer
Marchetta of Ingram Micro Inc., 714-382-1403,
jennifer.marchetta@ingrammicro.com
Website: http://www.ingrammicro.com/