Merisel Launches New VAR Communication Tool

Business Wire, Oct 26, 1998

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 26, 1998--Merisel Inc. (NASDAQ:MSEL) Monday announced the launch of its new VAR Tool Kit, a VAR-customized communication package.

The Kit is an additional offering in support of Merisel's recently announced strategy to increase service and support for its VAR customers.

The VAR Tool Kit is offered in response to resellers' requests for a single source of VAR-tailored product, technology, service, training, and promotional information. It is designed to serve as a VAR-specific business-development tool for VARs throughout the U.S. VARs can use the kit to arm their sales force with selling information that is vital for securing additional business.

"Based on Merisel's renewed commitment to VARs, we are working very hard to identify what VARs need from their distributor to be more efficient and profitable," said Jeannette Barsky, Merisel's vice president of marketing.

"VARs are repeatedly telling us that there's a real need for clear-cut selling information on products and programs that caters to the unique needs of VARs. We strongly believe our new VAR Tool Kit will help address those needs."

The quarterly package includes The VAReport, a new, easy-to-read newsletter highlighting product and special promotion information. The newsletter also includes information on the latest VAR programs and services from Merisel, including financing, technical support, software licensing, and value-added services.

In addition to the newsletter, The VAR Tool Kit contains manufacturer-generated product, promotion and training information along with The Merisel Reseller Handbook, detailing Merisel's programs, services, and policies.

The VAR Tool Kit will be mailed quarterly to Merisel VARs, and the VAReport newsletter is additionally available at Merisel's corporate Web site (www.merisel.com). Resellers interested in being added to the mailing list to receive the VAR Tool Kit may e-mail requests to chris.rocke@merisel.com.

Additional programs and services in support of Merisel's VAR strategy will be introduced over the next few months. VARs are encouraged to call 1-800-MERISEL today to learn more about Merisel's VAR offering.

Merisel is a leader in the distribution of computer hardware and software products. Based in El Segundo, Merisel is a Fortune 500 company with reported 1997 sales of $4.05 billion. Merisel distributes a full line of 25,000 products and services from the industry's leading manufacturers to resellers throughout North America.

In addition, the company provides a full range of customized, value-added services. Merisel also offers dedicated support to high-end resellers through the Merisel Open Computing Alliance (MOCA), a specialty division for Sun Microsystems and third-party products. Merisel's corporate Web site is located at www.merisel.com.