Arrow ECS IBM Group Newsletter

IBM Rational Business Partner incentive for Arrow Business Partners (expires November 25, 2009)

The offer

For a limited time only, eligible IBM® Business Partners can receive an incentive payment if their End User, as defined in the IBM Business Partner Agreement, acquires selected eligible new IBM Rational® testing software licenses.

The amount of the incentive payment depends upon the total IBM Suggested Retail Price* (SRP) of the eligible IBM Rational testing software licenses sold to the End User as part of a single transaction and appearing on a single End-User invoice, as follows:

• if the total IBM SRP of the eligible IBM Rational testing software licenses appearing on a single End-User invoice is equal to or greater than $25,000, the amount of the incentive payment will be equal to 15% of the total IBM SRP of the eligible IBM Rational testing software licenses, or
• if the total IBM SRP of the eligible IBM Rational testing software licenses appearing on a single End-User invoice is equal to at least $10,000, but less than $25,000, the amount of the incentive payment will be equal to 10% of the total IBM SRP of the eligible IBM Rational testing software licenses.

Sales to Public Sector End Users do not qualify for incentive payments.

For a list of eligible software licenses and IBM SRP, refer to the Qualifying/Eligible products section.

* Business Partner price to the End User may vary.

Arrow is offering IBM-BROCADE DATA CENTER NETWORKING (DCN) ETHERNET training

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!

In today's competitive market, customers demand best-of-breed technology that is proven and backed by certified experts. IP training and certification from Brocade demonstrates expertise in implementing industry-leading Local Area Network (LAN) technology to help manage risk, improve service and reduce costs from desktop-to-server - efficiently delivering value for your customers.

As a valued Arrow IBM Business Partner, you qualify for FREE Ethernet training and certification.

You are invited to attend a 3-DAY Brocade IP/Ethernet at Arrow’s Atlanta training center.

Basic Switch/Router Configuration and Management (ETH 103)

Price: $1760 USD (as part of this special program, Brocade will waive the normal course fee)

Course Objectives

• Identify where Brocade Products are used in a Typical Data Network
• Create Layer 2 and 3 Data Networks using Brocade Switches/Routers
• Use the Command Line Interface (CLI) to configure and manage Brocade Switch/Router interfaces, VLANs and protocols
• Upgrade software images and files on Brocade Switch/Routers
• Interconnect Brocade Switch Routers based on a network design
• Configure Access Lists
• Troubleshoot using CLI show commands

Day 1 Agenda:

• SAN Market Segment Overview
• Campus, Metro, Data Center, WAN/Backbone
• IBM and Competitive IP Networking Strategies Overview
• IBM IP Networking Product Family Overview and Competitive Comparison Discussion
• IBM Product Differentiators: Detailed Product-by-Product Features and Functions
• Implementation Basics and Management Tools Review
• Future Direction of DCFM Integration

Days 2 & 3 Agenda:

• The Essentials
• Trunks
• VLANs
• Spanning Tree Protocol
• Routing
• OSPF Concepts and Configuration
• BGP
• Converged & FCoE / CEE

 

Location: Arrow Atlanta facility

                 11545 Wills Road

                 Alpharetta, GA 30009

Date: Sept 22 –24, 2009

Class times:

Tuesday:  9:00 to 5:00             Wednesday: 9:00 to 5:00                 Thursday: 9:00 to 5:00

Attendee Requirements:

Laptop and USB – Serial port connector

Register: https://www.onlineregistrationcenter.com/register.asp?m=135&c=780

Free training event for Business Partners (August 27): Growth Through Skills Update

Important for any Arrow partner participating in Growth Through Skills
 
IBM will implement a new distribution model in January 2010 as part of our recently announced Growth Through Skills distribution strategy.

Sal Patalano, Vice President, IBM Channel Transformation, will provide a thorough update of our Growth Through Skills global Business Partner distribution strategy.

It is critical that all IBM Software Business Partners understand the details and requirements of this new controlled distribution option. 

Sal will also review the many certification and training special offers and other resources that are in place to help you prepare for January 2010.

This call will be held on August 27, 2009 at 11am ET.

Register here:        https://www-926.ibm.com/events/swgeer/swgeer06.nsf/signin?openform&seminar=kwoakan7nrmuz&lang=en

PW University - Systems College: Learning Simplified for IBM Business Partners

PW University - Systems College (aka STG SMART Zone) has been redesigned to make learning simpler and easier to find for Business Partners. You can now access training roadmaps by sales or technical job roles or select from the comprehensive course catalog. Document ID: edubpsmartz0708s PW University - Systems College : Learning Simplified for IBM Business Partners PW University - Systems College (aka the STG SMART Zone) has been redesigned to make learning simpler and easier to find for IBM Business Partners.   You can now access training roadmaps by sales or technical job roles or select from the comprehensive course catalog.  Basic, intermediate and advanced roadmaps address the specific skills needed toward earning certification.  Automatic tracking of learning activities makes it easy to measure your progress. Explore Dynamic Infrastructure learning and specialty area roadmaps that include courses like "Selling to the CFO" to enhance your Value Selling skills.  Find the right level of education quickly with the new options provided or use the Systems College Search feature when looking for a specific topic. Check it out now at:  http://www.ibm.com/partnerworld/pwu/systems

Advanced Data Center Storage Networking Incentives

Make Sure you are Taking Advantage of the Great Incentives Offered in the Data Center Advantage Incentive Program (DCAIP)Today!  What is the DCAIP Program? The DCAIP is designed to enhance your profitability with Cisco regardless                                                               of the OSM fulfillment source (EMC, IBM, HP, HDS, etc.) It provides                                                                generous rewards across Cisco MDS and Nexus products including MDS                                                               Blade Switches, MDS Fabric Switches, MDS Director                                                                                       Switches and Nexus 5000 Switches with FCoE. It also provides additional rewards to Cisco CSN and DCNI specialized partners.

DCSN Specialization FREE Online Training!

Position Cisco Qualified Specialist Course Title Total E-Learning Hours Account Manager Cisco DCSN Sales Specialist Selling Cisco Data Center Networking Infrastructure Solution 11 hours System Engineer Cisco DCSN Design Specialist Designing Cisco Data Storage Networking Infrastructure 14 hours Field Engineer Cisco DCSN Support Specialist Implementing Cisco Storage Network Solutions (ICSNS) 17 hours   Implementing Cisco Advanced Storage Network Solutions (IASNS) 14 hours   Total 56 hours

http://www.cisco.com/go/dcsn

DCAIP Rewards - OSM Route-To-Market

Product Partner Ethernet & Fibre Channel Blades $150 MDS Fabric Switches 9124 $450 9134 $700 9222i $1,250   MDS Director Switches - DCSN Required Chassis 9506, 9509, & 9513 $1,000 Line Card 4G $500 Line Card 8G $1,000   Nexus Switches - DCNI Required   Nexus 5010 with FCoE $2,000 Nexus 5020 with FCoE $3,000

DCAIP Partner Eligibility Partners must be Cisco Registered Partner at time of enrollment registration. Register at https://tools.cisco.com/RPF/register/register.do Partners must enroll in DCAIP during specified timeframes. Register at http:/www.cisco.com/go/dcadvantage DCSN Specialization required for MDS Director rewards. Must be completed by January 23rd, 2010 DCNI Specialization required for Nexus 5000 rewards. Must be completed by September 4th, 2009

DCAIP Enrollment Timeframes

Promotion Periods Enrollment Window Claims Deadline Rebate Payout Q1 & Q2 - FY'10 7/27/09 - 9/04/09 Q1: 11/20/09 5/14/2010   07/27/09 - 01/23/10     Q2: 2/26/10               Q2 - FY'10 10/26/09 - 11/13/10 Q2: 2/26/10 5/14/2010

For More Information Go to http:/www.cisco.com/go/dcadvantage

Get the Scoop on Information Management's Partner Distribution Strategy

Arrow partners invited to attend Think! Thursday Call

When:  Sept 10, 2009 at 11AM EDT.  
What:  Learn about:

• Growth through Skills - Controlled distribution with Passport Advantage pricing
• Software ValueNet - unique controlled distribution with discount-off-list pricing and a model for support providing partners
• Open distribution - product lines with unrestricted broad partner access for resale and fulfillment

For each of these strategies, we will explain the benefits to you, the Information Management products that fall within the program, requirements for entry, how to meet the requirements and deadlines for completion.

Visit the IM Think!Thursday site for complete details.

https://www-03.ibm.com/partnerworld/vic/wps/myportal/mypoc?uri=service:selling_resources&productid=370&tab=1&subtopic=372

IBM Technical Workshops from IBM Internet Security Systems in October

Register now: IBM Technical Workshops from IBM Internet Security Systems in October

Join top technical subject matter experts from IBM Internet Security Systems (IBM ISS) for a five (5) day training session covering the following areas:

• Hands-on Lab Demos of Proventia G, Proventia M, and Server
• Module overviews of Endpoint Secure Control, Fidelis, PGP, and Verdasys
• Overviews of IBM ISS Managed Security Services and Professional Security Services

 
This education is designed to help System Engineers at IBM Business Partners authorized to sell IBM ISS products and services get hands-on technical experience. In addition, this training course will help prepare System Engineers for taking the IBM ISS Technical Certification exam. Self assessment exams will be provided throughout the training for validation of the learning.

The upcoming IBM ISS Technical Workshops will be available at the following two (2) regional locations for any IBM Business Partners who are authorized to sell IBM ISS products and services. These comprehensive hands-on training classes are being offered at no charge to IBM Business Partners. Any associated travel and living costs are to be covered by the Business Partner firm. Click on the corresponding enrollment link to register:

October 5, 2009 in Atlanta, GA
October 19, 2009 in Chicago, IL

Don't miss out -- enroll early as space is limited. We look forward to seeing you at one of these upcoming technical workshops.

Please join us for a RadioSAP Webcast: "Competitive Win-Back with IBM XIV System Storage in SAP Installed Customer Accounts"

Agenda:

• Storage Opportunity around SAP
• XIV value proposition for SAP customers
• How to win - successful win-backs at Stihl and Gerber Scientific
• Q&A

The speakers:
Nina Johanssen (STG Worldwide SAP Business Development Manager ),
Paul Nemeth (IBM/SAP Growth Program Executive, Infrastructure Sales),
Markus Fehling (IBM System Storage Solution Relationship Manager for SAP)
Thomas Knüppel (IMT Germany STG XIV Sales)

Date: Thursday, August 27, 2009
Time: 10:30 am ET - 11:30 am ET

PARTICIPANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR ATTENDING THE LIVE EVENT

Join the Online Conference

Please paste this link into your browser to join the conference at the scheduled start time:

https://whiteglove.on.intercall.com/confmgr/join_as_tempuser.jsp?eventId=95387&invitationId=1251532

Join this conference without installation by choosing the 'light version' when prompted. The light version is ideal if you will not be sharing visuals and video, are on a Mac(R) or do not have a high-bandwidth connection.

2. Listen to the Audio Conference

US/Canada Toll Free: 877-883-0780
International/Local: 706-902-0431
Audio Conference ID: 26276887

TECHNICAL SUPPORT
If you experience any issues joining this online conference, please contact technical support at:

U.S. and Canada: 877.549.2051, +1.303.928.3014 or webmeetingsupport@intercall.com
OR http://www.intercall.com/customer-center/techSupport.php.

Get GTS Ready for Information Management

Handy FAQ for Arrow partners


1) Where can I find a list of available IBM software certifications?

The table in this link provides facts and information about each IBM certification test.
http://www-03.ibm.com/certify/tests/test_index_bd.shtml#10
_______________

2) Where can I locate the skills requirements for each Information Management portfolio in IBM Software ValueNet?

The SWVN Operations Guide has specific details for Infosphere, Cognos, Optim & Filenet.
http://www-200.ibm.com/partnerworld/pwhome.nsf/weblook/pat_sw_valuenet_apply.html
_______________

3) Are there any certification preparation materials available for partners?

This link provides access to certification maps, guides, tutorials, and practice tests.
http://www-01.ibm.com/software/data/education/certification.html
_____________

4) What certification exams will be available at IOD 2009?

IBM's software certification exams will be available to registered attendees throughout IBM Information OnDemand 2009.

IOD Attendees may take up to three IM (including COGNOS) exams at no charge; a discounted fee of $100 USD for subsequent exams will apply.

We will also be offering the discounted price of $100 for all Lotus, Rational, Tivoli, WebSphere, SOA, and XML Certification exams. Our complimentary FileNet Certification Exams will also be available to attendees.

Our Technical Sales Mastery exams will also be offered at the event free of charge to attendees.

As always, candidates may re-take most software certification exams if they have failed.....as there are two versions of each exam available.

Don't miss this opportunity to validate your skills and demonstrate your proficiency in the latest IBM software technology and solutions.

The certification testing will be at the Mandalay Bay Hotel. The testing lab will be located on Level 2 of the South Convention Center in Surf DEF.

For complete details:
http://www-01.ibm.com/software/data/conf/certification.html

Lock in savings with IBM Lotus software

IBM Global Financing Introduces annual financing rates as low as 0% interest for most Lotus Software Products

Offering description
IBM credit qualified clients can now affordably acquire IBM Lotus Software products at annual financing rates as low as 0%. This special offer is available for clients financing both new and renewal software transactions for two and three year financing terms.

For eligible customers, financing rates can be as low as 0%, and the total cost is payable in three equal annual installments with the first payment due at signing, and then the next two payments in twelve month increments thereafter.

See the list of eligible Lotus products.

Financing is an effective way to obtain the software you need to maintain your competitiveness and grow your business without breaking the budget. Financing can also help you accelerate the ROI of your investment by helping you smooth out high upfront costs into predictable payments that more effectively match costs to expected benefits. It can help you better manage cash flow and budgets because of the predictability that financing payments provide you.

How IBM Global Financing can help you obtain the software you need:

• IBM Global Financing can help improve your ROI business case
• Pay for your IBM software acquisition with fixed, predictable annual payments
• Preserve your cash flow and other lines of credit

For more details on the Lotus software discount program, please visit: http://www.ibm.com/software/lotus/offer/pricing.html

Learn more about other attractive financing options to address your software requirements as well as IBM hardware and services.

IBM Global Financing is the world’s leading IT financing provider with a presence in more than 55 countries. We can finance both your IBM and non-IBM hardware, software and services requirements, no matter how big or small.

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¹ Excludes Lotus Live, Lotus Sametime Unyte, and WPLC offerings for z/OS products
² 0% rate may differ by country

IBM Global Financing offerings are provided through IBM Credit LLC in the United States and other IBM subsidiaries and divisions worldwide to qualified commercial and government clients. Rates for credit-qualified clients and are based on a client's credit rating, financing terms, offering type, equipment type and options, and may vary by country. Other restrictions may apply. Rates and offerings are subject to change, extension or withdrawal without notice.