Distributor Ingram Micro introduced on Sept. 27 a bundle of Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft wares packaged as a one-stop retail point-of-sale solution, which is part of the value-add distributors are now bringing to the channel as a base, and not an extra.

Resellers may hand their customers preconfigured bundles of HP's Point of Sale rp5000 all-in-one system loaded with Microsoft's integrated Retail Management System software package, for a turn-key POS solution for retail stores and chains, Ingram said.

The bundle, packaged by Ingram's Nimax Division, which specializes in POS, RFID, AIDC (auto-ID/data capture) and wireless products, are designed to be simple to sell and deploy, allowing VARs to focus on service areas and incremental revenue opportunities, said John Soumbasakis, vice president and general manager, Nimax division.

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The Ingram configuration is part of the new back-end function distributors now deliver as a base of their service, not an extra, Soumbasakis said.

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"Pick, pack and ship is a founding value of distribution, but what really matters to VARs is the partner value, operating efficiencies and business resources they gain," Soumbasakis said.

"VARs want a distribution partner who will help grow sales, reduce costs and deliver real-world business value."

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Soumbasakis said that Ingram Micro and our Nimax Division provide that in several ways.

They provide complete solutions leveraging all the AIDC, POS and related technologies that a reseller may require to support their users, as well as technical support for the complete solution. Many are now targeted at verticals.

VARs can build out a full POS solution by adding HP equipment, such as touch screen monitors, cash drawers, bar code scanners, keyboards and magnetic strip readers and Microsoft software, such as Windows Embedded for Point of Service or Windows XP Professional.