Arrow ECS IBM Group Newsletter

Smarter Analytics Leadership Summit

Join the LIVE Stream event from your desk!  On March 20, 2012, thought leaders from IBM, senior industry analysts, and innovative business leaders will join together in New York City to share insights on how to leverage analytics for strategic advantage. This event will serve as a springboard for global Smarter Analytics launch activity and reinforce IBM's thought leadership momentum through press, analyst, and market influence.

IBM Integrated Expertise: Unveiling a New Era of Computing on April 11

On April 11, IBM is introducing a new category of systems which will deliver integrated expertise and an overall simplified experience. The unique attributes of these new systems will empower you, our Business Partners, to implement IT solutions for your clients faster then ever before, so your time to value with the client is dramatically improved -- significantly reducing ordering, fulfillment, integration, and installation times.

1Q "Fast Start" Incentive

Eligible Mid-Market Co-Marketing Business Partners don't forget to take advantage of the 1Q "Fast Start" Incentive.  Get started right away by accepting the Incentive Offering (IO) and submitting a Marketing Activity Request (MAR) by March 31, 2012 to receive an additional $5,000 (USD) in funding!  All marketing activity must be executed by June 30, 2012.

IBM is Sharing Bigger and Better Leads with IBM SWG Business Partners

IBM is changing the worldwide guidance given to IBM field sales teams. This will result in significantly more and larger-sized leads being shared with Business Partners. Starting this week, IBM is engaging Partners in opportunities that are valued at $100K and under. Partners need to accept or reject passed leads within two days in the Global Partner Portal (GPP).  Tune into the Lead Pass podcast to hear the highlights surrounding the changes.

2012 Quick Start Call on Selling Server Services on System x and Power Systems - Feb. 29

As IT management costs soar to new levels, the demand for information has never been greater, increasing the need for more efficient and responsive server infrastructures. But for many organizations, getting a new server up and running or a current server clothed with new services requires specific skills, resources and time that they simply do not have in house.

Arrow IBM N series Product Announcement Call - March 1st

Don’t miss one of the most important IBM N series product announcements of 2012!  Attack the Mid-market with new, enhanced entry to midrange systems.  Join this important call, hosted by NetApp.

Ready, Set, Go: Fueling Business in 2012

Technologies that drive innovation and deliver customer value will be the trendsetters for 2012.  IBM VP Heidi Dethloff explains, “We’re seeing a strategic shift in mindset from a focus on operational efficiency and cost reduction, to a greater emphasis on growth, customer service and innovation.” Read more...

Winning in the Mid-Market with IBM Business Analytics Solutions Webinar - 12/6

Launched in 2009, IBM Cognos Express is the first and only integrated business intelligence (BI) and planning solution purpose-built to meet the needs of midsized companies. It delivers the essential planning, budgeting, forecasting and reporting capabilities that midsize companies need at a price they can afford. In this session, you will get an update on its success and momentum, hear about the roadmap and future capabilities. We will discuss partner channel growth plans, existing solutions and planned extensions to our mid-market business analytics platform and how to leverage these to help you win more deals.  Register

4Q11 Mid-Market Progression "Push to Close" Incentive

Take advantage of a new co-marketing incentive designed to help you progress your mid-market leads.  Apply for an additional $5,000 to fund a marketing progression initiative designed to move open Mid-Market leads to wins in 2011. Funds must be matched at the 75/25 level.  In order to be eligible for $5,000 in IBM funding your progression tactic must exceed $6,666. The leads must be loaded into the IBM GPP tool to qualify for progression funding.  For details, see IBM Channel Communications Letter CC1110-281.

Access the new and improved PartnerWorld Brochure and PartnerWorld Program Guide

The new IBM PartnerWorld Overview Brochure provides information about PartnerWorld programs, benefits, key strategies and focus areas available to IBM Business Partners. The new IBM PartnerWorld Program Guide offers an in-depth roadmap for the PartnerWorld Program, with interactive links to the IBM portal. This guide contains information on specific benefits for Business Partners across the sales cycle -- from creating awareness to closing deals. In addition, we have created a new PartnerWorld Quick Reference Guide as a companion to the full IBM PartnerWorld Program Guide, making it easier for you to access key information.