Seven of IBM’s business partners had 40 minutes each to show how they have made use of the company's technology at this year’s IBM Forum.
Themed ‘Results Through Innovation’, the Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland event focuses heavily on case studies and kicked off in Christchurch yesterday.
“It’s about successful implementation that demonstrates the value partners have added around our products,” says channels marketing manager Michael Friedberg. “They have a whole new level of involvement. They’re active participants.”
Last year, presenters came from IBM or were guest speakers.
Friedberg says the event is part of a co-marketing strategy where IBM matches a partner’s funding dollar-for-dollar up to a certain amount. He says it is aiming to streamline the follow-up of Forum leads, and will target direct marketing at contacts a partner makes through the event.
Each presenting business partner will join over 30 others in a demonstration area.
Last year, four business partners were invited to take part. This year, new participants Integral, Bearing Point and Optimation join Gen-i, Crossware, Convergence and Certus. Vendors are also involved.
The worldwide event was resurrected last year to mark IBM’s 50th anniversary in New Zealand.
