Tech Data U.S. Helps Resellers, Vendors Capitalize On Small Business IT Spending With SMBAccess
Leveraging the extensive experience gained supporting its TechSelect membership-based community of resellers targeting small-to-midsized businesses (SMBs) and responding to IT vendors seeking to grow their SMB market sales, Tech Data Corporation (NASDAQ:TECD) today announced SMBAccess. Anchored by the distributor's newly created SMB Sales Division, this comprehensive sales and marketing initiative enables the IT industry's leading vendors to more strategically engage thousands of resellers serving small businesses throughout the United States.
"Resellers supporting small businesses are becoming an increasingly vital part of the channel, and Tech Data is providing the support they need to excel," said Ken Lamneck, Tech Data's president, the Americas. "Through our SMB Sales Division, we're stepping up our assistance to resellers by helping them identify the services, products and vendor programs each can leverage to grow their businesses. Meanwhile, we are developing targeted, innovative marketing campaigns that will help our vendors and customers establish strategic relationships both need to successfully capitalize on this growing market."
Industry analyst Garner forecasts that global IT spending by SMBs will reach $400 billion this year. The firm also stated that "the majority of IT hardware, network and software vendors competing within the SMB market rely heavily on channel companies to educate buyers and to market, sell and deploy support offerings on their behalf."
"Tech Data's SMBAccess complements Cisco's SMB channel strategy and our efforts to reach a broader base of small and medium-sized business solution providers," said John DiLullo, vice president Worldwide Distribution at Cisco Systems. "Throughout the past year, Cisco has introduced numerous SMB-focused products, solutions, services and support tools ideal for channel partners targeting this market. With SMBAccess, Cisco will be able to further engage these value added resellers and support their profitable growth."
Enhanced Reseller Support
Based at the distributor's Clearwater headquarters, Tech Data's SMB Sales Division is comprised of some of the company's most experienced sales representatives. They have successfully assisted resellers of all sizes grow their businesses and generate incremental revenue by helping to uncover new opportunities, develop vertical market specializations and leverage existing skill sets to support high-demand technology solutions.
"Tech Data understands what it takes to support small resellers like us," said Scott Bowman with Gadsden, Ala.-based systems builder Micro Excell Inc. "We have a tremendous relationship with our Tech Data Sales representative who goes the extra mile to learn about our business. Tech Data always keeps us aware of new opportunities and ensures that we're on the path to success and continued growth."
In addition to the dedicated SMB Sales Division, SMBAccess will offer resellers:
- Exclusive Small Business Promotions: To further enhance support for smaller resellers, Tech Data and its vendors are collaborating to develop and promote marketing programs, rebates and other special offers exclusively for these customers.
- Quarterly Regional Roadshows: Tech Data will host SMBAccess quarterly roadshows to increase engagement opportunities between resellers and vendors and showcase the latest SMB-focused products and solutions.
- E-Newsletters: Tech Data will distribute e-newsletters to keep resellers informed of the latest business opportunities related to their particular technical specialty such as networking or imaging.
These resellers also have access to the distributor's extensive TDInteract suite of e-business services. Its recently redesigned Web site, techdata.com, features demand-generating tools, advanced search capabilities and easier navigation, helping resellers and their sales forces more effectively influence end-user purchases and capitalize on new revenue opportunities. Earlier this year, Tech Data also launched its free, private-label order tracking tool MyOrderTracker.
To learn more about SMBAccess, contact Tech Data's SMB Sales Division at 800-237-8931 or visit techdata.com.
About Tech Data
Founded in 1974, Tech Data Corporation (NASDAQ:TECD) is a leading distributor of IT products, with more than 90,000 customers in over 100 countries. The company's business model enables technology solution providers, manufacturers and publishers to cost-effectively sell to and support end users ranging from small-to-midsize businesses (SMB) to large enterprises. Ranked 110th on the FORTUNE 500, Tech Data generated $19.8 billion in sales for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2005. For more information, visit www.techdata.com.