Ingram Micro Enhances SMB Alliance Program - Debuts New Lineup of Valuable Business Resources and Channel Marketing Support

SANTA ANA, Calif., May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Helping solution providers build their businesses, leading technology distributor Ingram Micro Inc. today announced several notable enhancements to its SMB Alliance partner community -- a unique 3,500-member-strong partner community developed exclusively to support U.S. technology solution providers selling into small and midsize businesses (SMBs). These new features and benefits include:

* Flexible Finance and Leasing * Customized IT Manufacturer Partner Programs Programs and Support Tailored to SMBs * Face-to-Face, Regional Education * Valuable Business Building and Training Seminars Resources, Tools and Training * Targeted SMB-specific Channel * Member-to-Member Networking Marketing, Sales and Technical and Partnership Opportunities Support

Founded in 2000, Ingram Micro's SMB Alliance has quietly grown into a powerful community of fast-growth technology solution providers with a combined yearly purchasing power of more than $1.5 billion. Further strengthening its market position, Ingram Micro also announced plans to raise the visibility of SMB Alliance within the IT channel through proactive marketing and sales efforts, including full-day regional business-practice conferences focused on training SMB VARs how to run the operational side of their businesses more efficiently and profitably.

"Being a part of the SMB Alliance, or any Ingram Micro community, is the best way for solution providers to implement best practices, partner with like-minded business owners and walk away with concrete strategies and tactics that will grow their businesses," says Justin Crotty, vice president, channel marketing, Ingram Micro North America. "Solution providers are constantly looking for ways to differentiate themselves and maximize the value and service they bring to their clients. By turning up the volume on Ingram Micro's SMB Alliance and adding new resources and enhanced business offerings, we're helping our partners do just that and more."

Ingram Micro's SMB Alliance Community Offers New Benefits and Higher Value

As part of the SMB Alliance, solution providers receive a number of partner benefits and value-added resources including:

* Face-to-face business skills and training delivered by recognized industry partners. * In-depth training tools on business processes, operations and profitability. * SMB-specific financing programs with net-45-day terms on all purchases made through financing partner Textron. * SMB-specific leasing program offers members a $50 credit memo for every deal made after initial deal is completed. * Free shipping on Ingram Micro Outlet transactions. * Discounted Ingram Micro help desk offerings. * CompTIA membership, discounts on Dunn & Bradstreet membership and reports, business insurance, and discounts on OfficeMax purchases, FedEx shipping and Sprint long distance. * Access to Ingram Micro's proprietary Technology Assessment Profile (TAP) application developed to help solution providers understand the initial scope of technology needs for small-business clients. * Exclusive manufacturer partner programs available only to SMB Alliance members.

"One of the most valuable benefits solution providers gain from joining SMB Alliance is the peer-to-peer networking," says Peter DiMarco, vice president and general manager, VAR sales, Ingram Micro U.S. "In addition to sharing best practices, the community empowers solution providers to openly discuss business models and use one another's expertise to complement their own technical or service capabilities. The relationships gained from Ingram Micro's communities bring an immeasurable amount of value that solution providers just can't get anywhere else."

Active SMB Alliance member Bill Lopez, chief information officer/chief security officer of Helio Solutions in Santa Clara, Calif., concurs, stating that Ingram Micro's SMB Alliance has been one of the company's primary growth tactics. "We use the SMB Alliance as a validation of what we've done in the past and what we're doing now."

In addition to the day-to-day networking and partnerships with fellow colleagues, as well as the formalized and focused education and online resources that members have access to, Lopez says one of the best things about the SMB Alliance for Helio Solutions is that solution providers can never outgrow it.

"A lot of the material -- namely, the educational portion -- is garnering a lot of positive benefit. SMB Alliance works, and VARs should take advantage of the opportunity."

Manufacturers Look to SMB Alliance for Growth

In addition to solution providers, the SMB Alliance offers significant benefit to channel-friendly manufacturers that provide products, solutions and services designed for SMBs.

As a sponsor of SMB Alliance, manufacturers receive access to more than 3,500 pre-qualified solution providers who sell almost exclusively into SMBs. Ingram Micro's SMB Alliance community also provides manufacturers with hands-on training and education courses, as well as solution provider roundtables that focus on best practices, strategies and tactics for effective channel marketing and communications.

"The SMB Alliance, as well as our other partner communities, are the first in line for manufacturers and software developers that want solid returns on their marketing, sales, and technical resources and support investments," continues Crotty. "Many of our manufacturer partners recognize that Ingram Micro's communities and solution providers have what it takes to move the needle when it comes to selling and servicing SMBs. That's why we've seen significant growth in manufacturer participation, both in the SMB Alliance and our other partner communities in 2005 and into 2006."

For More Information on the SMB Alliance Program

To learn more about Ingram Micro's SMB Alliance partner community, please contact smballiance@ingrammicro.com, or your Ingram Micro local sales representative.

About Ingram Micro

As a vital link in the technology value chain, Ingram Micro creates sales and profitability opportunities for vendors and resellers through unique marketing programs, outsourced logistics services, technical support, financial services, and product aggregation and distribution. The company serves 100 countries and is the only broadline global IT distributor with operations in Asia. Visit http://www.ingrammicro.com/.