• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Technology Reseller Austin Ribbon &Amp; Computer Increases Growth Potential With $22 Million Revolving Credit Line From IBM

Posted on: Monday, 15 October 2007, 09:00 CDT

Texas-based technology reseller Austin Ribbon & Computer (ARC) and IBM Global Financing (IGF), the financing business segment of IBM (NYSE: IBM), today announced a new funding agreement that will provide the regional reseller with a $22 million revolving credit facility to help it increase its market presence. The move would mean that ARC can now further increase its offerings for technology customers, who are currently demanding a greater mix of technology hardware, software and services solutions.

"Our universe continues to expand," said Jana Grimes, founder and owner of the Texas-based reseller, which has seen its market penetration improve dramatically over the past few years. "Our customer engagements are being extended from shorter technology implementation projects to longer, more complex projects that roll technology out over time. Our customers now require additional, specialized services like site education and training, data transfer, security and destruction, as well as hardware disposal."

Resellers like ARC are finding that financing offerings must change to match new demands from their customers for end-to-end solutions. With customer engagements on average growing from 30 days to six months nationwide, regional resellers like ARC are finding that simple and straightforward computer hardware installations are evolving to fill a greater need for more value-added services that require longer engagements and extended financing payment schedules.

"With more value-added services coming into play, resellers now have to hold onto the note a lot longer before getting paid for the solutions they offer," said Mario Bernardis, vice president of IGF Commercial Financing. "Through the creation of flexible funding lines, IBM can help resellers expand their market presence to offer these new services and still maintain a strong balance sheet."

The move to more comprehensive solution packages that involve a greater blend of technology with flexible financing offerings is one way to face the current short-term credit issues affecting resellers and customers alike. According to IDC Analyst Leslie Rosenberg, as the current credit crunch continues, channel companies should emphasize a "growing importance in enabling larger, more profitable solutions sales that include a potent mix of equipment, software and services."

"[Financing] enable(s) partners to provide their customers with attractive financing alternatives while creating a recurring revenue stream for their organizations," states Rosenberg in her report. [Shaky Credit Markets Threaten to Limit Channel Capital. Will This Rattle Foundations or Make Partners More Innovative? Sep 2007 - IDC Link]

ARC provides end-to-end information technology solutions to local and state government agencies, higher education entities, healthcare facilities and private industry. Their clients include the Texas Lottery Commission, Texas Department of Public Safety, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. In addition to IBM, ARC provides technology from other vendors including Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Lexmark, Network General and Panasonic.

"The partnership with IGF allows us more opportunity for projects with longer implementation life-cycles, or extended and specialized service requirements," added Grimes.

About Austin Ribbon & Computer (ARC)

Since 1984, ARC has been the technology partner of choice to government, education, and healthcare entities throughout Texas. As a certified Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) in the State of Texas, ARC works through contracts with the DIR to supply customers with the latest technology including hardware, software and services. ARC Founder and CEO Jana Grimes was recently honored by CMP Channel Publications as one of the most powerful women in the channel. Additional information can be found at http://www.arc-texas.com.

About IBM Global Financing

IBM Global Financing (IGF), the financing business segment of IBM and the world's premier single-source provider for multi-vendor IT financing solutions, serves commercial clients ranging from small businesses to the majority of the Fortune 100. With assets of $34 billion worldwide, IGF provides project financing, commercial financing and asset-recovery services to 125,000 clients in more than 50 countries. Additional information can be found at http://www-03.ibm.com/financing.

 CONTACT: Fred Clarke 914-715-5986 (cell) 914-765-6700 (IBM office) fredc@us.ibm.com

SOURCE: IBM

Source: MARKET WIRE

More News in this Category