Arrow ECS IBM Group Newsletter

Spotlight - March 31, 2011

 

System x/Blade
Microsoft & IBM System x Webcast Invitation

Virtualizing an Application Infrastructure with Microsoft Window Server 2008 R2
When:  Friday, April 8th Time: 11:30 a.m. EST / 8:30 a.m. PST
Webcast:  Register now

Learn about delivering a System x server virtualization solution that is:

• Feature Rich with high availability, Live Migration, Clustered Shared Volume, and processor compatibility
• Rapid to Deploy with virtualization out of the box with Microsoft Hyper-V installed with OS

Read more...

IBM System Networking "Fast Start" Event

Have you heard that IBM is in the Networking business and is a major Player in Data Center Networking?  Come and learn more about IBM's new portfolio of networking products and how to:

    * Increase Revenue and Profit
    * Win More Deals
    * Deliver Competitive Advantages

Read more information and look for a city near you.  Download Invitation slide_IBM System Networking Event - BPs USA

 
Storage
IBM BP Storage Certification "Virtual Training" Classes (CN1103-055)

Please make sure to mark your calendars and take advantage of these virtual training classes to help you prepare for the Midrange Storage Technical v2 (#118) or the Enterprise Storage Technical v2 (#119) tests.  These classes are designed for any partner who needs to either refresh existing IBM Storage portfolio skills or to familiarize themselves with the most current product offerings.  The recertification deadline of May 31st is quickly approaching so now is the time to prepare and take the tests.  Read more for details and registration.  Read more...

 

 

Software
NEW!  IBM Smart Business:  Sales and Technical Mastery Tests are now available! 

Partners can go to Software Sales Mastery on PartnerWorld to find information on the tests along with learning material that supports the tests.

Mastery Test web pages:

    * index by number
    * by software brand

Smart Business Sales Mastery Test V1 is M232
Smart Business Technical Sales Mastery is M85

 

  

Mid-Market
 See the Midmarket Asset Gallery in Action

Find out how easy it is to see what marketing assets and enablement materials are available to help drive midmarket demand for your solutions. Take a couple of minutes to watch a short demo of the new IBM Midmarket Asset Gallery, then link over to the Gallery and see what you can use to start driving midmarket demand today!   View Demo.

 

Retail
IBM Retail & Distribution Executive Symposium Nomination/Enrollment

This is an excellent opportunity for those with a serious interest in Retail, CP, and/or Wholesale Solutions to get the information they need to make an informed purchase decision this year.

Please complete the Account details and Nomination Profile for each account you are nominating to attend the IBM Retail and/or Distribution Executive Symposiums on May 24–26, 2011 at the IBM Retail Briefing Center RTP, North Carolina. Download Nomination Form GB Executive Symposiums May 24 25 26 2011.

 

Education/Events
Arrow "Storage Sales BYTES" Webinars:  Sales Education that Values your Time

Arrow is pleased to announce a series of 30 minutes storage sales webinars that focus on quickly getting you up to speed on why you should be selling RTC, ProtecTIER, XIV and V7000 as well as IBM storage basics and product positioning.  Join these webinars to learn what these products do, why you and your potential clients should care, who the target audience is and the resources available to help you sell it.

View dates and times.

Action required for all Business Partners focused on IBM Notes and Domino

The IBM LOTUS Messaging and Collaboration portfolio of products will join the authorized distribution products of Software Value Plus (SVP) effective May 1st, 2011.   This means that in order for Business Partners to continue to be eligible to sell the products in this portfolio (Notes and Domino),they must enroll and participate in either Value Advantage Plus (must have an approved solution containing a product within the portfolio) OR be enabled for Software Value Incentive (SVI) (having 1 sales and 2 technical certifications).  

Visit this Web page for more details or contact Stephanie Joy (sijoy@us.ibm.com) if you have any questions.

Arrow "Storage Sales BYTES" Webinars: Sales education that values your time

Arrow is pleased to announce a series of 30 minutes storage sales webinars that focus on quickly getting you up to speed on why you should be selling RTC, ProtecTIER, XIV and V7000 as well as IBM storage basics and product positioning.  Join these webinars to learn what these products do, why you and your potential clients should care, who the target audience is and the resources available to help you sell it.  

April 6th: 3:00 - 3:30 pm EDT. Storage SALES BYTES: ProtecTIER.  Register here:  https://arrow.webex.com/arrow/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=716876545

 

April 20th: 3:00 - 3:30 pm EDT. Storage SALES BYTES: V7000.  Register here:   https://arrow.webex.com/arrow/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=718441638

 

May 4th: 3:00 - 3:30 pm EDT. Storage SALES BYTES: Storage 101; Why Sell IBM Storage. Register here: https://arrow.webex.com/arrow/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=711281736

May 11th: 3:00 - 3:30 pm EDT. Storage SALES BYTES: Storage 201; IBM Storage Product Positioning  

Register here: https://arrow.webex.com/arrow/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=712748250 

 

 

April 13th: 3:00 - 3:30 pm EDT. Storage SALES BYTES: XIV. Register here:  https://arrow.webex.com/arrow/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=714611519

 

 

Tivoli Endpoint Manager, Built on BigFix Technology Overview

Recently IBM introduced Tivoli Endpoint Manager, Built on Big Fix Technology to the IBM Software portfolio. IBM TEM address the complexity and challenges of managing thousands of computers and ensuring they remain available, secure and at their proper configurations according to policies and requirements.  As the management of personal computers (PCs), servers and laptops grows even more complex, organizations are faced with higher costs and more risk to protect themselves against security threats, often with limited warning.  

While many vendors broadcast security patches and updates indiscriminately, Big Fix software has built-in intelligence that can identify which devices are not in compliance with corporate IT policies and recommend security fixes and timely software updates to 500,000 machines in a matter of minutes.

TEM powered by Big Fix automates some of the most time-intensive IT tasks across the most complex global networks, helping save organizations significant amounts of time, labor, and expense. TEM software provides a single IT management platform that gives organizations visibility, control and automation across their computing endpoints – laptops, desktops and servers – to manage critical applications for systems lifecycle, vulnerability assessment, energy-efficient computing, and configuration and security compliance.

Join Arrow ECS and the IBM Tivoli Endpoint Manager , Joe LeBlanc, National Channel Sales/ TEM and Peter Constantine, Channel SE,/TEM on April 5th to learn about the fast growing endpoint channel opportunity

 

Agenda:

• Brief Overview and Value Proposition of TEM
• Endpoint Market Opportunity
• Key Client Drivers
• Average Opportunity and Sales Cycle
• Certification and Authorizations
• TEM Marketing and Demand Generation

 

Register here:  https://arrow.webex.com/arrow/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=710021796

Tivoli Talk - April 11th . . . IBM X-Force 2010 Trend & Risk Report!

Title:  IBM X-Force 2010 Trend and Risk Report - Key Findings You Need to Know

Abstract:  This presentation will highlight the IBM X-Force 2010 Trend & Risk Report and reveal how 2010 was a pivotal year for the information security industry as networks faced increasingly sophisticated attacks from a widening variety of malicious sources.

IBM BP Storage Certification "Virtual Training" Classes (CN1103-055)

Please make sure to mark your calendars and take advantage of these virtual training classes to help you prepare for the Midrange Storage Technical v2 (#118) or the Enterprise Storage Technical v2 (#119) tests.  These classes are designed for any partner who needs to either refresh existing IBM Storage portfolio skills or to familiarize themselves with the most current product offerings.  The recertification deadline of May 31st is quickly approaching so now is the time to prepare and take the tests.  Read more for details and registration.

Web Seminar - Convergence from Software ValueNet to Software Value Plus

We are pleased to invite you to attend this important IBM Business Analytics Business Partner web seminar - Convergence from Software ValueNet to Software Value Plus.

During this session we will provide you with up-to-date information on the convergence for VARs, Support Providing Partners, Solution Providers, Service Providers and ISVs in Software ValueNet, moving to Software Value Plus.

NEW! IBM Smart Business: Sales and Technical Mastery Tests are now available!

Partners can go to Software Sales Mastery on PartnerWorld to find information on the tests along with learning material that supports the tests.

Mastery Test web pages:

• index by number
• by software brand

Smart Business Sales Mastery Test V1 is M232
Smart Business Technical Sales Mastery is M85

2011 Innovate March Madness: Business Partner Special

Business Partners who sign up to Exhibit or Sponsor at Innovate 2011 during the month of March, have the opportunity to take advantage of special offerings the Innovate team has put together.

March Madness (available to IBM Business Partners):

• For the first 10 Business Partners, participate in a 30 second video clip to be filmed on Showcase Floor at your booth, highlighting your 2011 Innovate experience and your company at NO CHARGE.

• Priority for reserving time in the meeting rooms in the Rational Business Partner Cafe, hosting partner to partner meetings as well as planning meetings with IBM. Take advantage of this opportunity to hold private meetings, right off the showcase floor.

• Enter an abstract for the chance to be selected for a session at Innovate (per IBM approval), plus one runner-up:
  • Grand Prize: 1 Session at Innovate 2011
  • Runner Up: Your choice: Submit a Bag Insert or be part of the Showcase Floor Game Card at Innovate 2011.

Sign up to exhibit or sponsor at Innovate 2011 during the month of March and these offerings could be yours. Don't miss the opportunity to participate in key activities at Innovate 2011 to further promote your company and gain further exposure. To participate, please contact our sponsorship manager, drosette@nthdegree.com.

Storage Webcast: How to Diagnose and Cure What Ails Your Storage Infrastructure - March 23 at 11:00 AM PT / 2:00 PM ET

Webcast:     How to Diagnose and Cure What Ails Your Storage Infrastructure
Date/Time:  Wednesday, March 23 at 11:00 AM PT / 2:00 PM ET

Storage is the most poorly utilized infrastructure element -- and the most costly part of hardware budgets -- in most IT shops today. And it’s getting worse. Storage management typically involves nightmarish mash-up of tools for capacity management, performance management and data protection management unique to each array deployed in heterogeneous fabrics. Server and desktop virtualization