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Ingram Micro Looks to Extend Cloud Partner Reach

PHOENIX—Looking to build a channel ecosystem around a broad range of cloud services, Ingram Micro this week unfurled several extensions to the Ingram Micro Cloud Marketplace at the Ingram Micro Cloud Summit 2016 conference here. The overarching Ingram Micro goal is to make it simpler for solution providers to mix and match cloud services under […]

Written By

Michael Vizard

Apr 13, 2016

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PHOENIX—Looking to build a channel ecosystem around a broad range of cloud services, Ingram Micro this week unfurled several extensions to the Ingram Micro Cloud Marketplace at the Ingram Micro Cloud Summit 2016 conference here.

The overarching Ingram Micro goal is to make it simpler for solution providers to mix and match cloud services under their own brand using either an online store managed by Ingram Micro or an instance of that online store that partners can license and host themselves, said Renee Bergeron, vice president of global cloud for Ingram Micro.

At the same time, Ingram Micro also announced a Cloud Referral Program through which traditional resellers can resell cloud services via their own Website. The program enables solution providers to embrace cloud services without having to transform their entire business model, Bergeron said.

In addition, the distributor showcased Ingram Micro Cloud Echo, a marketing service that will make it simpler for solution providers to reuse marketing content across multiple social networks.

Those announcements come on the heels of Ingram’s signing a definitive agreement earlier this month to acquire Ensim, a distributor of cloud applications and related IT services. Previously, Ingram Micro acquired the Odin cloud platform from Parallels in addition to Softcom and SofCloudIT to bolster the range of cloud service expertise it makes available to its channel partners. Earlier this year, Ingram Micro agreed to become a unit of HNA Group, a logistics company based in China, as part of an effort to expand its global reach.

Access to 500 Cloud Services

Via the Ingram Micro Cloud Marketplace, solution providers can access more than 500 cloud services through a white-label online store. The company will also bundle various cloud services together in special offerings and make available cloud migration services provided by its partners to solution providers that don’t have their own technical staff with that expertise, Bergeron said. She added that there is no requirement for Ingram Micro partners to set up individual contracts with hundreds of solution providers.

Alternatively, solution providers can opt to license and download the core Odin platform or a new lighter-weight Odin Automation (OA) Essentials to create their own branded online store running on their own systems. Designed to be installed in about five hours, Ingram Micro will initially provide an instance of OA Essentials that be aimed at cloud service providers. Separate editions aimed at resellers and providers of hosting services will be made available later this year. Ingram Micro also revealed that initially the only cloud services available via OA Essentials will be provided by Microsoft, with other cloud services to be added over the course of the coming year.

All told, Ingram Micro already has 10 million seats under management, a number it expects to expand considerably as solution providers find it simpler to resell cloud services under their own brand, Bergeron said.

Michael Vizard

Michael Vizard is a seasoned IT journalist, with nearly 30 years of experience writing and editing about enterprise IT issues. He is a writer for publications including Programmableweb, IT Business Edge, CIOinsight, Channel Insider and UBM Tech. He formerly was editorial director for Ziff-Davis Enterprise, where he launched the company’s custom content division, and has also served as editor in chief for CRN and InfoWorld. He also has held editorial positions at PC Week, Computerworld and Digital Review.

Ingram Micro Looks to Extend Cloud Partner Reach

Access to 500 Cloud Services

Michael Vizard

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