Ibm Launches International Business Partner Program To Simplify Doing Business Globally

Business Wire, March 22, 1995

SOMERS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 22, 1995--Doing business around the globe just got easier for IBM customers under a new initiative that will greatly streamline procuring, delivering and maintaining PC systems.

Launched today, the IBM International Business Partner Program leverages the worldwide strengths of IBM and its Business Partners on behalf of international customers, who increasingly require more global support.

The new program enables customers to have a single point of contact to ensure comprehensive, worldwide support for PC procurement, delivery, warranty, multicurrency billing and value-added tax reclaim. IBM has replaced country-by-country pricing with standardized pricing in each of five IBM-designated geographies worldwide.

IBM is deploying resources from its International Customer Office, headquartered in Research Triangle Park, N.C., with offices in each of the geographies, to ensure the success of this program.

"Under the International Business Partner Program, our customers have a single point of control, simplified ordering, and improved ability to manage their I/T costs," said William E. McCracken, general manager of Worldwide Marketing for the IBM Personal Computer Company. "This new program replaces the need to work with multiple contacts for ordering and distributing PCs across several geographies."

IBM has designated six remarketers as the first group of International Business Partners for IBM PC systems. The six -- Computerland International/Vanstar, ENTEX/Info'Products/Compugen, Inacom, International Computer Group (ICG), International Telecommunications Services (ITS/SITA) and MicroAge International -- have existing international coverage and will work together with IBM and local remarketers globally to serve end-users.

This initiative complements a similar international program for midrange computer systems that IBM launched last year. The International Business Partner Program follows the establishment last October of the IBM International Warranty Service, covering more than 120 countries and enabling customers to obtain IBM's world-class service and support in any region of the globe.

CONTACT: IBM

Tim O'Malley or Michael DeMeo

914/697-9711