Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News
    • PC Hardware

    Mixed Reactions From Down South

    By
    Jacqueline Emigh
    -
    January 22, 2001
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      IBMs software group continues to stumble, but Lotus solutions providers are worried about taking their own fall. Specifically, Lotus partners fear that they may lose some of their benefits when its partner program is folded into IBMs PartnerWorld for Software program.

      The software group was IBMs weakest performer in an otherwise fantastic Q4. Big Blues software sales actually fell 1 percent during the period.

      While many Lotus partners welcome closer ties to IBM, some partners are nervous about the strategy, said attendees at last weeks Lotusphere in Orlando, Fla.

      Folding Lotuss partnership program into IBM is an ongoing effort, says Andrea Roman, senior director of strategy and operations for Lotuss partner organization.

      But, some of Lotuss Premier Partners are worried they might lose ground under the new setup. “Were hoping that we can remain a Premier Partner, and that we can still work with the same people at Lotus,” says Ilan Tsafunat, president of Team Technologies.

      Another partner, who asked not to be identified, contends that IBMs partner requirements may raise the bar for smaller companies.

      But IBM executives say there is nothing to worry about. “I dont know why people would be concerned about being able to remain Premier Partners, because the criteria really havent changed very much,” says Dan Albertson, director of IBMs Partner World for Software program.

      According to recent program changes, Premier Partners now must hold certification as an e-business adviser, a reimbursable sales certification. And they must hold a minimum of three technical certifications, as well.

      The additional certification was added after IBM spoke to 500 IBM and Lotus partners. “The partners we talked to agreed that, to be Premier, a partner must be very knowledgeable about e-business,” says Albertson, adding that all IBM and Lotus Premier Partners already should have been assigned a regional sales representative.

      “Our intention is not to reduce anything. It is to take the best from both partner programs and put them together,” he says.

      While some partners may be cautious, others are optimistic. Daniel Nashed, president of Nash!Com Communication Systems, says the merged programs will provide Lotus partners with greater access to the bigger pool of IBM Business Partners.

      In addition, Rick Muller, president and general manager of Inergix, says the “consolidated” certification program will be easier for customers to comprehend.

      For Ziv Kenet of Paragon Bermuda, the changes are crucial. “I dont think all the partners are getting it,” Kenet says. “Its about relationships. The partners should be networking with IBM now, as well as Lotus.”

      Sounds logical.

      Jacqueline Emigh
      Get the Free Newsletter!
      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis
      This email address is invalid.
      Get the Free Newsletter!
      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis
      This email address is invalid.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Applications

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      IT Management

      Intuit’s Nhung Ho on AI for the...

      James Maguire - May 13, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nhung Ho, Vice President of AI at Intuit, about adoption of AI in the small and medium-sized business market, and how...
      Read more
      Cloud

      IGEL CEO Jed Ayres on Edge and...

      James Maguire - June 14, 2022 0
      I spoke with Jed Ayres, CEO of IGEL, about the endpoint sector, and an open source OS for the cloud; we also spoke about...
      Read more
      Applications

      Kyndryl’s Nicolas Sekkaki on Handling AI and...

      James Maguire - November 9, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nicolas Sekkaki, Group Practice Leader for Applications, Data and AI at Kyndryl, about how companies can boost both their AI and...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2022 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×