Welcome to the monthly WebSphere update. In less than five minutes, overview five key topics that can help you obtain required skills, create demand and progress sales.
Impact 2013
Topic #1 - Before You Go and When You Arrive
With Impact 2013 and the Business Partner Summit approaching on Sunday, April 28th, now is the time to register, if you haven’t already done so. And, if you’re already planning to join us, be sure to take advantage of the Agenda Builder tool to create your personal calendar for the event. Check out these tips on how to maximize your Impact experience:
- Once you are on site, pick up your badge from registration on Level One of The Venetian, starting at 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning.
- Begin the Summit the right way and join us at 9:30 a.m. PDT for the first session, Turning Opportunities into Outcomes: Growing with IBM PureApplication System and IBM MobileFirst. Get insights on these two important growth areas from leading analyst Maribel Lopez, founder of Lopez Research.
- Plan to attend the Summit keynote session, featuring IBM executives covering a range of key topics you won’t want to miss, including product announcements being made during Impact.
- Select two breakout session topics out of 10 of today’s hottest focus areas, ranging from cloud to PureSystems, from BPM to Worklight, and from lead generation to incentives.
- At the Summit’s conclusion, plan to attend the welcome reception in the Solution Center from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It’s a great networking opportunity. Also, join us for the Business Partner Reception on Tuesday, April 30th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – Venetian G, Second Level.
- Speaking of networking, visit the Business Partner Café in the Solution Center. IBM’s program experts will be ready to meet with you to discuss incentives, offerings, marketing benefits and enablement opportunities that align with your business priorities. Get practical help and advice to help accelerate your success in 2013.
- Take advantage of complimentary WebSphere certifications in the Certification Testing Center.
- Attend Impact Rocks on Tuesday night, the networking event featuring 2012 Billboard chart topping Matchbox Twenty.
Don’t miss out…join us at Impact! We look forward to seeing you on April 28!
WebSphere Application Server v6.1
Topic #2 - End of support
WebSphere Application Server v6.1 is going out of support September 30, 2013. Did you know that many of your customers have not been migrated to a newer version? This provide a great opportunity for you to have conversation to up-sell and cross-sell WebSphere products.
We have a number of options for you to increase your migration services and expand new license sales. Many customers are considering their WebSphere version migration options now, thus creating a nice opportunity for you to act before its too late.
WebSphere Application Server v6.1 Migration incentives and resources are available to help you as you discuss with your clients.
If you would like help in planning the migration and help in your transition, you can reach the WebSphere Business Partner team or contact your local IBM team.
WebSphere Business Partner Webinar
Topic #3 - WebSphere DataPower and Passport Advantage Channel Update - May 7, 2013
Join us for this enablement session to learn about new the DataPower v6 firmware announcement providing new capability for securely scaling customer connectivity to web and mobile applications. Effective May 3, 2013, IBM will move WebSphere DataPower Appliances from the AAS hardware ordering system to the Passport Advantage software ordering system and the Expert Integration Systems Product Group in the IBM's Software Value Plus (SVP) program. This teleconference will provide you with the details you need to know to get approved for Passport Advantage!
Dates / Time / Registration:
Length: 90 minutes
Please register to receive details.
Software Value Incentive bonus for passed leads
Topic #4 – Extended for 2Q 2013
Many Business Partners will have earned more money by taking advantage of the first quarter (Q1 2013) Software Value Incentive (SVI) bonus for IBM passed leads. IBM is repeating the incentive for another full quarter! The extension means that you now have until June 28, 2013 to participate and earn more.
Doubling your money is easy - no extra paperwork and no separate claims process.
- Close an IBM passed lead by June 28, 2013
- Complete the SVI claim process by July 31, 2013
- Be approved for payment under the standard SVI rules and processes
- Fulfill the IBM software licenses
- Receive the SVI Bonus for IBM Passed Leads reward for that opportunity
The incremental incentive is equal to the SVI "sell" payment made for the eligible opportunity*.
For full details on the incentive, please visit PartnerWorld. Act early and act often to make the most of this simple and easy incentive.
2 quarter 2013 WebSphere sales plays, kits
Topic #5 – Consistency is focus
IBM Business Partner software marketing and sales plays are the high priority plays we recommend you execute to drive leads and revenue. In recognition of the time it takes to get to get your sales teams fully aware and enabled on new plays, we are keeping our plays consistent for a longer period of time. The WebSphere sales and marketing plays highlighted in 1st quarter remain our priority plays through 3rd quarter. These plays are closely aligned with what are provided to IBM direct sellers, so you can benefit from a single set of messages and guidance to our mutual clients.
The plays include links to the latest presentations, email templates, white papers, quick reference guides, marketing offers and more. Many are also supported by Ready to Execute campaigns. You can leverage Ready to Execute packaged campaigns to combine digital tactics or emails with key offers, e-nurturing for validation, a webcast / event for progression, and IBM Global Financing (IGF) financing to close.
