A very interesting development came out of Tech Data (Nasdaq: TECD) this week. The broadline distributor launched the Lenovo ThinkPad tablet to more than 60,000 solution providers in the U.S.
Usually this kind of announcement is run of the mill in the channel, but given that HP a long time loyal partner of Tech Data has dropped tablets, killed off webOS and put its personal systems group (PSG) on the block this move looks more strategic.
When you look at high tech consumption models in business today, tablets are being adopted by businesses at a rapid rate. The plan earlier on this year was for HP to work with distributors such as Tech Data to roll out webOS and Windows-based tablets to the solution providers. HP channel chief Stephan DiFranco told me that himself. He even came up to Canada to outline his plan to Tech Data and others. But now that HP has done a 180 Tech Data is left with little choice but to forge a closer relationship with Lenovo who has always catered to the business professional. The other choice of course would be Dell and I not sure where they are with that; as Dell still wants to move units out directly. The dark horse of course is Apple and its iPad. Sure this is a consumer play, but I have to think given the massive popularity of the iPad that Tech Data and other distributors have to be looking at it. And, I also believe that RIM with its Playbook will be in the mix somewhere down the line.As for the Lenovo tablets, they will be business-class units running Android. Lenovo will also be offering the tablets with a layered security solution, IT manageability and an optional pen-based handwriting recognition capability. If you recall the HP TouchPad also had the pen option.Tiffany Severance, director of product marketing, client systems at Tech Data, said the ThinkPad tablet helps business end-users work productively and securely, while also offering outstanding entertainment features and manageability. As Tech Data is committed to being the leading distributor of mobility solutions, we are excited to add the new Lenovo tablets to our offering.
Ingram gets specialized for U.S. healthcare market
Earlier this year I met with Michael Humke, senior director, vertical markets, Ingram Micro, in Las Vegas and I found him to be fascinating. He explained to me the many problems and issues facing healthcare in the U.S. and how it parallels with Canadian healthcare.
To give you a comparable one of my colleagues in the U.S. pays $800 a month for healthcare, while I have no clue what my costs are here in Canada as I am part of the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
Many of my other U.S. colleagues pay more. I don’t pay a think as OHIP is a government-run progarm funded by taxes paid by the people of the province of Ontario here I live along with other transfer payments from the Canadian federal government.
The important thing to note here is everyone in the province is entitled medical care and surgery if needed free of charge.
Humke’s passion for trying to solve the healthcare challenge through technology was inspiring to say the least. You can read my blog about Humke by clicking this link.
It looks as if Humke has made some progress as Ingram Micro (NYSE: IM) announced a new channel partner network dedicated to meeting the IT business needs of the U.S. healthcare market.
The new Ingram Micro Healthcare Partner Network is the first and only dedicated network of healthcare-focused VARs and managed service providers (MSPs) within the IT distribution channel. The new and specialized partner network leverages the proven infrastructure of the Ingram Micro Services Network (IMSN) to encourage greater collaboration among Ingram Micro channel partners and drive greater sales success within the healthcare market.
Humke said Ingram Micro’s new Healthcare Partner Network brings together the people, technology, solutions and services needed to effectively collaborate, market, sell to and support the IT business needs of U.S.-based healthcare organizations such as hospitals, local doctors’ offices and other healthcare-focused businesses.
“Healthcare is a complex and rewarding marketplace that calls for targeted resources, IT solutions, services and specialization that channel partners just can’t get from any distributor,” he added.
In brief
D&H Canada will host its fourth annual technology trade show next week on September 7, 2011 at the Mississauga Convention Center, in the Toronto suburb. I will be there along with the entire CDN team.In brief
The distributor also inked a partnership deal with IT security and data protection company Sophos.
And, Synnex Corp. (NYSE: SNX) announced it has signed a distribution agreement with Emulex Corp. to sell Emulex OneConnect 10GbE Network Interface Cards into its network of VARs and systems integrators. Synnex has also connected to the Emulex channel community by joining the Emulex Connect Partner Program, which provides channel partners with valuable revenue-generating incentives, expert training, and access to partner communities.
