Tech Data Adds IBM Cloud Services, Products to TDCloud Offering
September 13, 2011
Tech Data Corp. said that it recently added IBM Corp.’s cloud computing services and equipment to its TDCloud portfolio for its base of channel partners.
The IBM cloud computing solutions span Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (Paas), and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) solutions…
Specifically, Tech Data said it will offer IBM’s Smart Business Cloud, Smart Business Desktop, Information Protection Services, Managed Security Services and Tivoli Live Monitoring Services. In addition, it will make available IBM’s LotusLive collaboration tools, Workload Deployer (formerly CloudBurst), and WebSphere Cast Iron cloud integration.
“Tech Data has aligned with IBM to offer cloud solutions that enable resellers to implement a private cloud, as well as offer them the opportunity to sell IBM public cloud services such as Smart Cloud Enterprise and Managed Backup Cloud,” said Chuck Bartlett, Tech Data vice president and general manager, Advanced Infrastructure Solutions (AIS).
Bartlett said that Tech Data will provide channel partners with training, technical support, configuration and shipping services to support the IBM cloud computing products and services.
Jack Santoni, IBM director of Cloud Sales, North America, said that “Tech Data is well-positioned to find the right partners that IBM is looking for to offer these robust services and has the right people and processes in place to successfully drive these initiatives in the channel.”
PointSource LLC, a Bradenton, FL-based business process optimization specialist and IBM Premier Business Partner, credited Tech Data with advancing its relationship with the vendor.
“Our relationship with Tech Data is a key factor for our successful alignment with IBM and choosing them as our primary software partner,” said Cheryl Kleiman, PointSource sales vice president.
“Tech Data’s IBM Software group has been instrumental in ensuring we’re utilizing all of IBM’s programs and tools, as well as introducing us to the key people that are going to help drive our business to the next level,” she said.
Earlier this summer, the distributor initiated the TDCloud practice to help channel partners uncover, develop and close sales opportunities for private, public or hybrid cloud architectures. It simultaneously opened TDCloud Academy, a tiered program providing training and resources to help channel partners capitalize on selling cloud solutions.