IBM unveils resources for s/w partners

BANGALORE: IBM, an IT service provider, today announced software partners expect improved profitability from its new skills initiative according to a global survey of 400 partners.

The initiative includes new sales and technical resources for IBM Software partners to help jump-start new business opportunities, said a press release.

IBM is delivering this initiative to help partners build the right skills needed for 21st century transformation projects.

Given these requirements, under the IBM Software Value Plus skills initiative, partners can choose which products across the IBM software portfolio to become certified and authorized to sell based on their business model and industries served such as healthcare, banking and financial markets, retail, government, telecommunications, chemical and petroleum and energy and utilities among others.

"Business Partners are key to IBM's success in the marketplace, and we continue to invest in new resources that help ensure their success," said Anil Menon, vice president, IBM Software Group Business Partners.

He added that with this new initiative, they are now providing their partners with the same training and resources they provide their IBM sales team. That is why their partners see us as providing the best opportunity and rewards for those who invest in their software portfolio to better serve clients, tap new markets, and sell into new industries.

The new resources announced today are provided through the IBM Software Value Plus initiative that helps software partners build technical, marketing and sales skills on IBM's software portfolio and key growth opportunities such as business analytics, collaboration and industry transformation.

IBM would continue to expand Software Value Plus with additional demand generation, co-marketing and technical skills resources for software partners throughout 2010.