IBM Drives Its Global Business Partner Expansion Into High Gear

IBM Drives Its Global Business Partner Expansion Into High Gear

The IBM Corporation (NYSE: IBM) is reaching out to thousands of local IT resellers around the world — including those who sell competitor products — with a $100 million global drive, recently named “Express Track.” This drive is part of IBM’s ongoing SMB market expansion focus throughout 2006, targeting increased mid-market sales of IBM technology solutions through IBM’s primary SMB channel, IBM Business Partners.

The Express Track drive includes increased IBM coverage and enablement support for IBM Business Partners. In addition to offering demand generation, IBM has also added over 300 people worldwide to provide coverage and enablement for local IT resellers, who are often the preferred and trusted IT provider for small and medium sized businesses.

IBM Business Partners are the keystone to deliver technology solutions to mid-market clients and drive over half of IBM’s sales in the SMB marketplace. IBM’s fast growing Intel and AMD-based System x and BladeCenter server lines and entry level storage solutions represent a significant part of these sales.

Donn B. Atkins, general manager, IBM Global Business Partners, explains: “Earlier this year I announced we would enlarge our active Business Partner base by 5,000 globally, to develop a firmer foothold in the SMB market. Our worldwide results are strong: In the first half of this year, we enlisted over 2,500 Business Partners. Express Track builds on this success and provides local resellers with resources to deliver competitive IBM solutions to their clients.”

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