Articles
D&H Offer Training To Support Windows 7 Launch
August 12, 2009
D&H Distributing, the North American computer products and consumer electronics distributor, announces it is implementing a series of programs, promotions and educational venues to help VARs capitalize on the new Microsoft Windows 7 launch, which is set for October of this year. The distributor’s offerings include an August Windows 7 Readiness Focus Month; a Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program, which offers free Windows upgrade coupons for qualified Vista-based computing purchases; and two early-look Win 7 seminars; hands-on demo opportunities. These resources will give resellers pre-launch advantages that will help them profit from the release.
While Windows 7 offers a terrific upgrade opportunity for existing PC owners, a substantial number of consumers and small businesses have delayed PC purchases in order to obtain Windows 7 on their new machines. The operating system is expected to drive new PC purchases in this way, especially since users don’t have to buy high-end hardware to take advantage of most of Windows 7’s capabilities. In fact, such a highly-anticipated launch could become a potential catalyst to help speed the end of the recession.
A list of new technologies will make ownership of a Windows 7-based computer a superior experience. These include quad-core CPUs from Intel and AMD; new DDR3 memory from a several top-flight vendors; new video cards incorporating DirectX 10 and DirectX 11; plus upgraded sound technologies in both cards and speakers from numerous manufacturers. Windows 7 also includes easy-to-use digital media applications that could spur sales of complementary products such as digital cameras, memory cards and upgraded monitors.
“We’ve always been very proactive when it comes to supporting our vendor’s initiatives, often pursuing our own exclusive partner programs to create benefit for our resellers. This is a notable launch which could have a deep effect on IT buying cycles, so we’re putting effort into getting our customers ready,” said Mary Campbell, vice president of marketing at D&H Distributing. “Our VARs need to be well-versed and strategically-positioned to capture the business this new OS will generate. In the process, they’ll help proliferate the next round of capabilities for the desktop environment.”
D&H’s Win 7 Promotion and Program Details:
Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program: Resellers can receive a free Window 7 upgrade option for their customers. Through this promotion, a reseller who purchases a qualifying product with a Vista operating system will receive a coupon for a free Win 7 upgrade install. The end-user can redeem his or her coupon for a comparable Win 7 upgrade after the general availability date. There will also be Windows 7 upgrade products available for existing Windows Vista PCs.
August Windows 7 Readiness Focus Month: As part of the August Focus Month, resellers who purchase merchandise from participating vendors will be entered to win a Grand Prize of one of seven Win 7-based systems. VARs will automatically receive one entry for every $2,500 of qualifying purchases. For every $500 of participating vendor product, VARs will be entered to win one of twenty-eight $70 American Express gift cards. Visit the Windows 7 Readiness page at www.dandh.com/focusmonth for more details.
Participating vendors include HP Business, HP Consumer, Intel, Microsoft, Adobe, Antec, ASUS, Buffalo Technology, Canon U.S.A., Cooler Master, GALAXY Technology, Kaspersky Lab, Kingston ValueRAM, Lenovo, Logitech/Labtec, SonicWALL, Thecus, and Ultra Products.
Windows 7 Seminars: D&H will conduct a Microsoft Windows 7 seminar at both the New England Technology Show (August, Boston area) and the Mid-Atlantic Fall Technology Show (October; Hershey, PA). At the “Windows 7 Preview: Products, Programs, Opportunities” session, featured speakers Vic Barakat and Jaisson Mailloux of Microsoft will provide one of the industry’s earliest looks at the new OS’s functionality, and will include marketing and sales strategies.
Trade Show Demos: Both of the above trade events will also host a hands-on, live demo unit featuring a Windows 7 environment. Hardware will include an Intel micro-ATX motherboard and quad-core CPU, 4GB of DDR2 RAM, a 1.0TB SATA hard drive, a Blue-Ray DVD drive, and a Microsoft NX-6000 LifeCam web camera. This machine is identical to the prize systems listed above, and will clearly demonstrate the robust capabilities of Windows 7 on readily-available, every-day PC technology.
About D&H Distributing
As the nation’s leading technology distributor, D&H provides a wealth of resources to empower solution providers and consultants, delivering a broad selection of SMB categories, products and applications. The company’s offerings span server and infrastructure, SOHO and mobile applications, consumer electronics and gaming. D&H’s multi-market expertise, account-dedicated sales teams, sterling service and flexible financing options are unmatched in the industry.
With an impressive 91-year history serving as a trusted advisor to the reseller channel, D&H has been able to consistently reinvent itself based upon changing market conditions. The company prides itself on creating business partnerships with an astute focus on ease-of-doing-business, relationships, value, performance and service.
D&H has been named the Cisco Small Business Distributor of the Year for 2008, won the Microsoft Operational Excellence Award six years running, and was recently named Microsoft’s OEM Distributor of the Year. The company ships out of five separate locations in North America, including its US headquarters in Harrisburg and its Canadian headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario. Additional US warehouses are located in Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; and Fresno, CA. Call D&H toll-free at (800) 340-1001 or visit www.dandh.com.
While Windows 7 offers a terrific upgrade opportunity for existing PC owners, a substantial number of consumers and small businesses have delayed PC purchases in order to obtain Windows 7 on their new machines. The operating system is expected to drive new PC purchases in this way, especially since users don’t have to buy high-end hardware to take advantage of most of Windows 7’s capabilities. In fact, such a highly-anticipated launch could become a potential catalyst to help speed the end of the recession.
A list of new technologies will make ownership of a Windows 7-based computer a superior experience. These include quad-core CPUs from Intel and AMD; new DDR3 memory from a several top-flight vendors; new video cards incorporating DirectX 10 and DirectX 11; plus upgraded sound technologies in both cards and speakers from numerous manufacturers. Windows 7 also includes easy-to-use digital media applications that could spur sales of complementary products such as digital cameras, memory cards and upgraded monitors.
“We’ve always been very proactive when it comes to supporting our vendor’s initiatives, often pursuing our own exclusive partner programs to create benefit for our resellers. This is a notable launch which could have a deep effect on IT buying cycles, so we’re putting effort into getting our customers ready,” said Mary Campbell, vice president of marketing at D&H Distributing. “Our VARs need to be well-versed and strategically-positioned to capture the business this new OS will generate. In the process, they’ll help proliferate the next round of capabilities for the desktop environment.”
D&H’s Win 7 Promotion and Program Details:
Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program: Resellers can receive a free Window 7 upgrade option for their customers. Through this promotion, a reseller who purchases a qualifying product with a Vista operating system will receive a coupon for a free Win 7 upgrade install. The end-user can redeem his or her coupon for a comparable Win 7 upgrade after the general availability date. There will also be Windows 7 upgrade products available for existing Windows Vista PCs.
August Windows 7 Readiness Focus Month: As part of the August Focus Month, resellers who purchase merchandise from participating vendors will be entered to win a Grand Prize of one of seven Win 7-based systems. VARs will automatically receive one entry for every $2,500 of qualifying purchases. For every $500 of participating vendor product, VARs will be entered to win one of twenty-eight $70 American Express gift cards. Visit the Windows 7 Readiness page at www.dandh.com/focusmonth for more details.
Participating vendors include HP Business, HP Consumer, Intel, Microsoft, Adobe, Antec, ASUS, Buffalo Technology, Canon U.S.A., Cooler Master, GALAXY Technology, Kaspersky Lab, Kingston ValueRAM, Lenovo, Logitech/Labtec, SonicWALL, Thecus, and Ultra Products.
Windows 7 Seminars: D&H will conduct a Microsoft Windows 7 seminar at both the New England Technology Show (August, Boston area) and the Mid-Atlantic Fall Technology Show (October; Hershey, PA). At the “Windows 7 Preview: Products, Programs, Opportunities” session, featured speakers Vic Barakat and Jaisson Mailloux of Microsoft will provide one of the industry’s earliest looks at the new OS’s functionality, and will include marketing and sales strategies.
Trade Show Demos: Both of the above trade events will also host a hands-on, live demo unit featuring a Windows 7 environment. Hardware will include an Intel micro-ATX motherboard and quad-core CPU, 4GB of DDR2 RAM, a 1.0TB SATA hard drive, a Blue-Ray DVD drive, and a Microsoft NX-6000 LifeCam web camera. This machine is identical to the prize systems listed above, and will clearly demonstrate the robust capabilities of Windows 7 on readily-available, every-day PC technology.
About D&H Distributing
As the nation’s leading technology distributor, D&H provides a wealth of resources to empower solution providers and consultants, delivering a broad selection of SMB categories, products and applications. The company’s offerings span server and infrastructure, SOHO and mobile applications, consumer electronics and gaming. D&H’s multi-market expertise, account-dedicated sales teams, sterling service and flexible financing options are unmatched in the industry.
With an impressive 91-year history serving as a trusted advisor to the reseller channel, D&H has been able to consistently reinvent itself based upon changing market conditions. The company prides itself on creating business partnerships with an astute focus on ease-of-doing-business, relationships, value, performance and service.
D&H has been named the Cisco Small Business Distributor of the Year for 2008, won the Microsoft Operational Excellence Award six years running, and was recently named Microsoft’s OEM Distributor of the Year. The company ships out of five separate locations in North America, including its US headquarters in Harrisburg and its Canadian headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario. Additional US warehouses are located in Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; and Fresno, CA. Call D&H toll-free at (800) 340-1001 or visit www.dandh.com.
