The portal's goal is to provide solution providers with training and updates on new IBM products. The new portal will also help deliver certification training and provide product information and news about the channel.

"The portal delivers a structured education plan incorporating specific tracks for IBM Certification programs and product training, the IBM channel process, Avnet ordering tools and advanced sales training," ATS said in a Aug. 28 statement.

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Ignition Online will offer training in three program areas and several product categories. Solution providers will have access to Channel Connection, Avnet's partner portal, including its suite of tools and information services.

Ignition Online's product training will include both Avnet and IBM programs that provide background and insight into System I, System P, System X, TotalStorage solutions, Tivoli, Lotus, WebSphere and Information Management solutions, as well as product sales training.

Avnet, the Phoenix-based parent company of ATS, is IBM's largest distributor, and IBM is Avnet's largest vendor. Avnet runs its IBM business unit in conjunction with IBM's own PartnerWorld program.

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