CHANNEL NEWS

Tech Data Corp. of Clearwater, Fla., a global provider of information technology products, logistics management and other value-added services, has joined with Seagate Technology Inc. of Scotts Valley, Calif., to give storage product resellers access to a collaborative e-commerce marketplace.

The Reseller Marketplace offers resellers a fast and convenient way to view real-time pricing and availability of Seagate products via the Web, while leveraging Tech Data's service and logistics capabilities when making their purchase, the companies said.

Exclusive to Seagate Partner Program resellers, the marketplace can be accessed seven days a week and is powered by Comergent Technologies Inc.'s Distributed E-Business System. Comergent is based in Redwood City, Calif.

"Superior supply-chain management capabilities will be the key differential between those who can and can't effectively compete in the digital economy," said Dan Ahlstedt, vice president and general manager of Tech Data's Components Product Marketing Division. "Seagate's drive to continually integrate business processes with automated e-commerce solutions, while engaging all points in the channel, underscores their understanding of this reality and their commitment to deliver on it."Ingram Micro Inc., Santa Ana, Calif., has introduced an online technology purchasing hub that connects government and education IT buyers with national technology solution providers to expedite purchasing decisions.

Available at www.PartnershipAmerica.
com, its key features include timesaving price comparison tools, a broad variety of technology products and order fulfillment for government and education customers. The site also provides an advanced request for quote and price comparison system from a catalog of more than 280,000 products, including discounts from more than 300 manufacturing partners.

The Partnership America program connects resellers, value-added resellers, systems integrators and vendors with the government and education IT market through a wide range of services. Offerings include bid pricing, proposal support, state, local and federal programs, state term schedule support, dedicated account managers, technology refreshment, credit services and configuration support.

Ingram Micro had revenue of more than $28 billion in 1999.Internet domain registrar Network Solutions Inc. of Herndon, Va., has launched ImageCafe, a turnkey Web design solution for Web site developers seeking to provide a cost-effective product for their small business customers.

The program enables value-added resellers (VARs) to fulfill the needs of smaller clients by reselling six-page ImageCafe Web site templates, offering "a profitable solution to the once costly and time-
intensive process," the company said.

ImageCafe will provide resellers with marketing materials, unique affiliate IDs, an easy credit card payment process and the ability to license six-page "take away" ImageCafe Web sites. In addition, VARs receive a quarterly revenue share based on the number of Web site licenses purchased for their clients.

"Web designers want a turnkey solution that's professional and economical for their most cost-conscious customers," said Doug Wolford, senior vice president and general manager of Network Solutions' Registrar. "Now, Web site design shops can meet the needs of their smaller clients and turn a profit through ImageCafe's resale program."

Network Solutions Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of VeriSign Inc., Mountain View, Calif., a leading provider of Internet trust services for e-commerce.