IBM Certification Program On Tap
The vendor said it is looking for certified partners it can work with through IBM Global Services to penetrate the SMB market.
The certification program will focus on 15 to 20 SKUs and cover design, configuration, installation and troubleshooting. The Web-based wireless training will be launched sometime this quarter, while the security and migration training, also Web-based, will be launched in the third and fourth quarters, respectively, according to IBM. Training is free, but solution providers must qualify, the company said.
IBM TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
>> IBM aims to tap lucrative SMB market.
>> Focused on wireless, security and migration technologies.
>> Free Web-based training and certification.
>> Enables solution providers to partner with IBM Global Services.
>> Program covers 15 to 20 SKUs in each area.
IBM sees the new certifications as an opportunity for solution providers to differentiate themselves in the rapidly growing wireless market, said Frank Vitagliano, IBM's vice president of worldwide distribution channels.
"[IBM Global Services wants to use it as a referral program to partner with you all," Vitagliano told more than 300 Ingram Micro VentureTech Network members at a conference here last week. "This is very critical for differentiation."
Some VentureTech Network members see the program as a chance to get greater exposure with a top wireless vendor. "We do lots of wireless, but we're not selling IBM. We sell Linksys, 3Com, Intel and Cisco. But offering IBM makes sense to us because people know IBM," said Jeff Moody, president of Ping Technology, Waco, Texas.
IBM also hopes the program will strengthen its ties with solution providers. Last year, IBM passed $210 million worth of leads, $100 million in soft dollars and $16 billion in financing opportunities to its business partners, Vitagliano said.