Credit & Financing Resource Center

Credit and financing remains one of the most important issues to technology solution provider operations and end user technology development programs. The Channel Insider Credit & Financing Resource Center is a compendium of reports, resources and information about credit and financing programs available to solution providers, managed service providers and systems integrators.

HEADLINES Technology Vendors Loosen Credit Strings for Channel, End Users Looking to increase sales as IT budgets are cut, technology vendors IBM, Dell, HP and Lenovo, all recently sweetened their credit offerings -- with some providing 0% financing on certain products sold through solution providers. Software leasing is also on the rise, even as credit markets have dried up and the industry suffers from the global recession. No Credit Crunch in the Channel Solution providers looking to close deals and get paid upfront from cash-strapped customers should turn to financing and credit options. Despite the Wall Street meltdown, plenty of money still circulates in the channel credit system. Tight Credit Market Drives Software Financing Growth IBM Global Financing says tightening credit markets and a shift from hardware sales to so-called solution sales is what pushed software financing up 90 percent year over year in Q1. Software Financing on the Rise Financing is no longer reserved for servers, storage arrays and computers. More solution providers are selling software and integrated software-hardware packages on credit. IBM Drops Small Business Flexible Credit Program IBM Global Financing has notified solution providers and resellers that IGF will discontinue its IBM Flexible Credit program for inventory financing at the end of 2008. IGF says the program did not meet its business goals. The move has representatives from GE's commercial finance organization looking to win some additional credit customers. IBM Sweetens the Credit Pot for Technology Purchases IBM Global Financing is looking to ease concerns over the availability of credit for technology purchases by introducing its Why Wait? financing offer. The offer comes in the midst of a global financial crisis that has dried up some types of credit and caused growing concern among those who control corporate IT budgets. Lenovo Sweetens PC, Server Financing Lenovo is rolling out a series of financing offers designed to boost sales through channel partners. Dell and IBM also recently introduced financing offers to counter the effects of customer IT budget cuts and tightening bank credit. Dell Offers 0% Financing on EqualLogic Storage Equipment Dell is rolling out new zero-percent financing on its EqualLogic storage equipment sold through authorized partners. Ingram Micro Says SMB Loan Repayments on Track Despite a reports that says office equipment loan defaults are on the rise, technology distributor Ingram Micro says it has seen no delays on SMB loan repayments on the credit it has extended for technology deals. D&H Increases Credit for Resellers  SMB resellers and VARs are starting to get concerned about the effects of the financial crisis on business. To counter that, D&H Distributing has increased its investment in offering credit to SMB VARs and IT resellers by another $15 million.

CREDIT GUIDES Credit Options for Technology Solution Providers Here are a few of the most basic kinds of credit and finance vehicles available to the solution provider channel and its customers. These are all available through distributors or other technology finance providers. How to Protect Your Business During the Credit Crunch Solution providers must evaluate overhead, staffing and business practices to weather the current economic crisis. Where Solution Providers Can Go for Credit & Financing If you balk at the idea of offering financing because it doesn't seem worth the complexity or time commitment, you may want to reconsider. Programs available through a variety of technology specialty financing organizations and IT distributors make it quick and easy to offer this option to customers. COMMENTARY Finding Funding in a Tight Credit Market VARs, ISVs, solution providers and IT consultants are turning to software leasing and other alternative funding vehicles as a way to close deals in tight economic times. CREDIT SOURCES >> IBM Global Financing >> Cisco Capital Finance >> Microsoft Financing >> GE Capital Solutions >> CIT Group >> Bank of America Small Business >> Bank of America Corporate Financing  >> Ingram Micro Financial Services >> Tech Data Credit Services >> D&H Distributing Credit       Resource Center >> Dell Partner Financing >> Textron Financial Corporation