IBM's New Financing Offer Aided with Mobile App
IBM's New Financing Offer Aided with Mobile App by UCStrategies Staff
Four billion dollars is being offered to channel partners by IBM to assist in the selling of its products to partner customers. A new mobile app was also launched, which will simplify the process of customer finance applications for partners.
In September of 2011, $1 billion was provided by IBM to aide in financing the company, and although the sum was expected to last for 18 months, it has been exhausted in 12. According to the general manager of global business partners and midmarket IBM (Armonk, N.Y.), Mark Hennessy, 6,800 customers took advantage of the offer.
IBM seeks to increase and quicken the pace of sales for its cloud and business analytics products and services, as well as its PureSystems integrated servers; the $4 billion amount will help towards achieving this end.
Hennessy stated: “These are the areas where our partners are having great success right now. We're hoping this will be a boost to our partners' businesses and their customers.”
It is IBM's Global Financing initiative, the company's lending and leasing division, that is offering the financing service. The present credit-tight economy is proving to be a hindrance to customers, and the financing aide has been organized specifically to meet the needs of customers; lease and loan packages starting at zero percent for 12 months with no money down are being provided.
IBM is well-known for utilizing its Global Financing operation to develop a competitive advantage. For example, in August of this year, IBM provided leasing options through partners to increase its sales of the new PureSystems integrated servers. As the company attempts to gain more managed service provider partners, financing is seen as a key means of achieving this end.
Also offered via IBM Global Financing, the company's new mobile application will make it easier for business partners to offer price quotes and credit approvals (at a value of up to $500,000) to customers with a much faster service.
This application is dependent upon the IBM Global Financing Rapid Online Financing tool which will become visible in the U.S. market later this month on iPads, iPhones and Android-based devices. (CY) Link