Distributor Ingram Micro Canada is expanding its integration services business thanks to a new authorization as a Cisco Unified Computing Systems (UCS) C-Series Build-to-Order (BTO) distribution partner.
With the new designation, Ingram Micro can stock, build, test and ship Cisco UCS C-Series servers to customer specification for authorized Cisco Systems reseller partners throughout Canada. The advanced configuration services will be managed by Ingram Micro’s Cisco-authorized technicians and completed in the its 25,000 square-foot configuration centre in Mississauga, Ont.
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“The speed, efficiency and technical expertise channel partners gain by using Ingram Micro’s new Cisco UCS C-series BTO services offers a competitive edge,” said Tim Billing, vice-president of vendor management for Ingram Micro Canada, in a statement. “Strategically, we have been focused on moving up the value stack and we’re pleased to take our Cisco UCS business to the next level in Canada and deliver greater business value and complete end-to-end support – from enablement to order fulfillment – to our mutual partners.”
Ingram is promising delivery and time to market of less than a week for Canadian resellers, and to facilitate this it will hold inventory in an adjacent warehouse for various Cisco C-Series base bundles along with server components, such as processors, memories, hard disks and adapters. Cisco UCS solutions will be fully configured to specification, and then tested and certified in accordance with Cisco best-practice guidelines before being dispatched to the reseller or drop-shipped to the end customer.
“Cisco is always looking to provide greater flexibility, more choices and world-class support to our reseller partners. By authorizing Ingram Micro Canada as a Cisco UCS BTO distributor, we’re working to accelerate product delivery, eliminate time-consuming steps in the configuration process, and ultimately, enable our mutual channel partners to provide better service to their end customers,” said Scott A. Brown, vice-president, worldwide distribution sales at Cisco, in a statement.
Last year, Ingram Micro earned a Cisco UCS B-Series and C-Series authorization in the U.S.
“Ingram Micro is invested in the technical, sales and business enablement resources our channel partners need to differentiate their services and deliver the utmost value to their customers,” said Mark Snider, general manager, Ingram Micro Canada, in a statement. “Our dedicated and growing focus on higher value, advanced solutions, combined with our Cisco Business Unit, have uniquely positioned us to help our channel partners effectively sell and support custom Cisco UCS C-series solutions, as well as complementary technologies and services. Unified computing solutions are a high-margin, high-growth technology category, and we’re committed to keeping our channel partners at the forefront of this opportunity.”
