By Gina Roos
Building on its practice of simplifying success, Ingram Micro has launched its first in a series of Web-based training and education modules designed to help channel partners sell and deploy health care IT solutions.
The modules were developed by Ingram Micro’s health care team and subject matter experts, as well as health care industry experts and thought leaders, including Anne Farrell of Farrell Associates.
“Training and educating our channel partners on how to be successful selling and deploying health IT solutions is a top priority for Ingram Micro,” Michael Humke, executive director, Vertical Markets, Health Care and Public Sector, Ingram Micro U.S., said in a statement. “We’re invested in health IT and committed to driving this industry forward. We’ve enabled hundreds of channel partners with the insights, technology solutions and business resources they need to address the needs of the health care market, and we’re just getting started.”
The first online module, Intro to Health Care and Intro to Health IT, is available now to all channel partners at no cost. Moving forward, membership in the Health Care Partner Network will be required, according to Diane Lees, senior manager, Vertical Markets, Ingram Micro U.S. “Partners were instrumental in the development of the first module, and we are getting excellent feedback,” she added.
Ingram Micro plans to launch additional modules in 2013, covering a variety of topics, including mobility, RFID/bar-coding technology, and PACS (picture archiving and communication system)/storage, which will be part of Ingram Micro’s Health Care Network offering. Channel partners also can leverage the Health Care Partner Network to identify and partner with a network of IT health specialists.
Training modules include information that is relevant to resellers in the health care market, whether in hospital or ambulatory environments, said Lees. “These modules provide information on the market and technologies that are top of mind for our partners.”
“Each module also includes a quiz, and if the user answers 75 percent or better correct, they pass that module and receive a certificate,” Lees explained. “The modules that we are building within solution/technology areas will take a deeper dive into those specific areas and help identify the challenges, opportunities and how to engage with decision makers within those different environments, including hospital, ambulatory, etc.”
The training and educational resources were previewed by more than 145 Ingram Micro channel partners at the third annual IMHealth care Exchange, May 28-30, hosted by Ingram Micro’s Health Care Division and sponsored by technology vendors.
Gina Roos, a Channel Insider contributing writer, specializes in technology and the channel.