Answerthink Wins CRN's First Best In Show Award

IBM Answerthink

Answerthink, a solution provider based in Miami, boosted its IBM business by 300 percent last year due to a variety of different partnerships the company has with IBM.

The company has built a partnership with IBM Global Services (IGS) around its expertise in Lawson software. It worked with IBM on an implementation with Waste Management, which was its largest project to date, totaling sales of $6 million in IBM software and hardware. The company is also working with IGS on a project for the state of Arizona.

Dave Lavanty, managing director at Answerthink, said the key to partnering with IBM has been to develop tight relationships with local reps. "We have a practice leader and IGS has a practice leader," he said. "We do a lot of planning at the local level so we're not stepping all over each other in the account. The relationship with IGS is definitely moving in the right direction."

Answerthink and IGS have developed a Lawson practice following their initial collaboration and are now jointly marketing that solution to other clients.

Answerthink also has IBM as a client. The company is one of four IBM Interactive Agencies of Record, doing work for ibm.com. Answerthink also designs and develops a Web site for IBM's consultant and Web integrator business.

Answerthink is also a certified IBM Pervasive Partner in the wireless space and provides feedback on IBM's mobile computing.

At each of seven more partner shows this year, CRN will present Best In Show solution provider awards for innovative approaches in working with customers.