Ingram Micro to Offer IT Channel Complete Mobile Wireless and Wireless Networking Solutions Via T-Mobile and the Enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network Including Next Generation Data Wireless Services
SANTA ANA, Calif., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In response to rising channel demand for complete wireless solutions, Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE:IM)
today announced its first wireless service agreements with Sprint and T-Mobile, enabling solution providers to deliver complete wireless solutions to customers across the United States. These new relationships mark the first time Sprint and T-Mobile have engaged the IT channel's powerful VAR sales engine through a national broadline distributor to sell their services into the small- to mid-sized business (SMB) market.
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In addition to new carrier services from Sprint and T-Mobile, Ingram Micro recently strengthened its wireless product line with the addition of several products from leading mobility manufacturers Handspring and Nokia, as well as mobile communications leaders Novatel Wireless and Sierra Wireless. Ingram Micro also has enhanced its technical training, service and support offerings to enable VARs to quickly implement these new wireless solutions.
"Our relationships with Sprint and T-Mobile are key milestones within the IT channel. By teaming wireless carriers with vendors and resellers, we've tapped a new and profitable market for selling wireless solutions," said Kathy Riggs, director of vendor business management, Ingram Micro North America. "The sales potential for integrated voice and data wireless solutions is at an all-time high, and we are well equipped to help VARs and vendors capitalize on the growth that is taking place globally."
IDC recently predicted that the worldwide market for wireless and mobile infrastructure consulting, integration and management services would rise to approximately $37 billion by 2006, representing a compound annual growth rate of nearly 15 percent.*
"These market forecasts and the increasing mobility of today's North American workforce have created a heightened demand for real-time, anywhere communications," said Pat Collins, senior group vice president, sales and marketing, Ingram Micro North America. "As a result, the IT channel has a great window of opportunity to capture sales in SMB as well as enterprise business markets. Our goal is to mirror our success in other regions and empower solution providers with the tools, resources and services needed to successfully sell wireless solutions."
Offerings from T-Mobile and PCS Vision from Sprint Bring New Revenue Stream to VARs
Beginning in September 2002, the enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network will be available to the powerful sales force of VARs through Ingram Micro. As part of Sprint's PCS Business Solutions Program, Ingram Micro is the first broadline distributor to offer solution providers this next generation network.
The new suite of PCS Vision devices from Sprint includes the PCS Phone by Handspring(R) Treo 300. In addition, wireless connectivity solutions for laptops and PDAs, including the PCS Connection Card(TM) by Novatel Wireless (Merlin C201(TM)) and PCS Connection Card by Sierra Wireless (AirCard(R) 550), are also part of Sprint's new PCS Vision devices. The enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network allows users to access information at speeds up to 144 kilobits per second, with average speeds between 50 and 70 kilobits per second.
Ingram Micro also will offer wireless communications services to the IT channel from T-Mobile beginning September 2002. The T-Mobile brand debuted in the United States with the launch of service in California and Nevada. T-Mobile will transition its VoiceStream Wireless brand over the next few months, marketing T-Mobile service in 45 of the top 50 U.S. markets.
Through Ingram Micro, VARs will be able to offer IT customers total wireless communications solutions with T-Mobile's global GSM/GPRS high-speed voice and data footprint, Wi-Fi wireless broadband network and broad portfolio of integrated wireless devices, meeting customers' need for ubiquitous data and high speed. Also, enterprises can easily build their wireless infrastructure and mission-critical applications around the predominant global wireless standard that T-Mobile International operates in Europe and the United States.
Wireless communication solutions also available through Ingram Micro from T-Mobile include multifunctional devices such as RIM's BlackBerry 5810(TM), a wireless handheld e-mail solution with integrated phone, Novatel's G100 PC card, Nokia's 9290 Communicator, T-Mobile's Pocket PC Phone Edition, the highly anticipated voice-enabled PDA, and Handspring's Treo 180 and 270.
Ingram Micro Offers New Mobile and Wireless Solutions
Ingram Micro is growing its wireless offerings and delivering a low-risk approach to wireless with a mix of new products, solutions and services. On the networking front, Ingram Micro has expanded relations with Sierra Wireless, Sprint and Citrix Systems. Targeted towards audiences such as Citrix's channel customers, these wireless network and device offerings will enable delivery of a wide variety of high-end mobile access solutions. The new Sierra Wireless/Sprint/Citrix bundle provides mobile users with the ability to stay connected to mission-critical information on company networks including sales force automation (SFA), intranets, customer relationship management (CRM), field service dispatch and other core business information systems. This bundle will provide the necessary tools mobile workers need to be effective while working away from the office.
Ingram Micro's broad product line card opens the door for VARs to sell solutions to mainstream as well as vertical markets such as government, education and healthcare where wireless adoption is gaining momentum.
"The IT distribution channel is a new marketplace for many of today's wireless carriers," said Mark Romanowski, senior vice president, client services and business development for AMC Corporation, an Ingram Micro reseller. "By joining forces with Ingram Micro and selling through its VAR communities, vendors like Sprint and T-Mobile gain an inside line into the SMB market, as well as enterprises of all sizes. We see a bright and profitable future in the IT channel for mobile wireless and wireless networking products."
Wireless Technical Support and Consulting
In addition to Ingram Micro's technical support capabilities provided by highly skilled technicians, solution providers can now call Ingram Micro for consulting services and wireless education support. A customer can find the right wireless technology or develop multi-vendor solutions by simply calling the Wireless Help Desk at (800) 445-5066, ext. 24006.
Today, Ingram Micro's Wireless Help Desk offers certified technical support for more than 40 vendor partners. The company also provides dedicated support lines for specialty networking vendors including 3Com, Cisco Systems and Enterasys.
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 37 countries with sales of more than $25 billion for the fiscal year 2001. Ingram Micro's global regions provide the distribution of technology products and services, market development programs, and supply chain management services to nearly 170,000 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/corp.
Ingram Micro and the registered Ingram Micro logo are trademarks used under license by Ingram Micro Inc. All other logos, brand names and product names are trademarks of their respective companies.
*Worldwide Wireless and Mobile Infrastructure Services Market to Reach $37.42 Billion by 2006, IDC Reveals - IDC news release, May 28, 2002
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Source: Ingram Micro Inc.
CONTACT: Marie Meoli, +1-949-260-1300, ext. 229,
marie_meoli@benjamingroup.com, or Cambria Morgan, +1-949-260-1300, ext. 220,
cambria_morgan@benjamingroup.com, both of Benjamin / A Weber Shandwick
Company, for Ingram Micro Inc.; or Jennifer Baier of Ingram Micro Inc.,
+1-714-382-2692, jennifer.baier@ingrammicro.com
Web site: http://www.ingrammicro.com/corp