INGRAM MICRO & IBM TO HELP RESELLERS DELIVER E-BUSINESS SOLUTIONS.

Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE: IM), the wholesale provider of technology products and services, announced that it will work with IBM to offer technology resellers e-business services and solutions aimed at the needs of their small-business customers. The two companies will deliver the service offering through a series of business development funds and targeted certification programs.

Ingram Micro has created a number of value-added services for its technology reseller customers to help them better serve their small business customers, including its Total Opportunity Program (TOP), which provides IBM resellers business development funds of up to $10,000. Qualified Ingram Micro customers will receive the funding for technical certification, sales training and end-user demand generation programs.

The training, education and funding available through the TOP program has allowed Ingram Micro's customers to close sizeable deals involving IBM technology. Steve Radusovsky, president and chief executive officer of 4GL Solutions, a Calif.-based technology reseller, and Ingram Micro customer said, "The support we received from Ingram Micro and IBM through the TOP program was tremendously instrumental in the success of several recent customer wins. The program provided essential information about building a stronger business with information covering everything from marketing tactics to technical details."

As a further incentive for its customers, Ingram Micro also created the exclusive Customer Advantage program to give technology resellers that are new to the service market free certification on IBM and Lotus software solutions and products. Customers can request up to $5,000 in funding for technical certification and end-user marketing, as well as receive Ingram Micro assistance in becoming an IBM/Lotus Software Business Partner.