Ingram Micro NZ launches cloud marketplace

Ingram Micro has launched its New Zealand cloud marketplace, which enables its resellers to directly purchase, provision, price and invoice unique Microsoft Office 365 bundles from a single dashboard.

The offering also provides an integrated suite of migration services from SkyKick, and delivers consolidated billing, providing partners with an easier way to manage subscription costs.

Richard Duggan, Ingram Micro Cloud APAC executive director, says

"As the demand for cloud technologies continues to grow, channel partners must be able to support the evolving hybrid cloud strategies of today's businesses.

"The cloud marketplace enables channel partners to quickly scale as they expand their cloud footprint and overall profitability.

Darren Bibby, IDC worldwide channels and alliances program vice president, says the availability of the cloud marketplace in New Zealand provides 'a real opportunity' for channel partners looking to help their customers realise the true potential of cloud.

IDC estimates that New Zealand adoption of public cloud will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 27.5%, with demand for cloud-based services growing 'exponentially'.

Ingram Micro also launched a suite of cloud services and programmes designed to help channel partners, including Cloud Ignite Services to assist channel partners with data migration and on-boarding needs of customers and provide a free customer service for all cloud services purchased on the marketplace.

A fee-based service desk is also available, with partners able to bundle and resell the level one support for front office, desktop and 'many' IT related issues to customers. The 24/7 support is available via phone, chat and email.

Meanwhile the distributor is also offering a loyalty programme, Cloud Elevate, with rewards and enablement services including promotions, discounts, education and sales and marketing support to help resellers accelerate their cloud profitability.

Ingram Micro says new partners joining Cloud Elevate by 31 August will receive a credit of $100 which can be used for any Microsoft cloud solution within 90 days of joining the programme.

Ingram Micro, Exeed and Dicker Data were all appointed 2-tier Microsoft cloud solution providers earlier this year.

Exeed launched its Microsoft CSP offering early last month, and added SkyKick to the offering last week. Dicker Data is expected to launch its Kiwi offering within months.