D&H Distributing Helps VARs 'Make The Move From XP' With Webcasts And Materials

As the XP Support Deadline Looms, D&H Offers Online January Training Sessions and Strategic Materials on Transitioning End-Customers to an Enhanced Windows 8 Environment

D&H Distributing, the leading North American computer products and consumer electronics distributor, has embarked on a major initiative called “Make the Move from XP.” The program consists of educational sessions and resources to help resellers capture upgrade sales by transitioning their end-customers away from aging Microsoft Windows XP environments. D&H’s trainings include several web-based sessions available as of January 23.

As the April technical support deadline for XP grows nearer, businesses will be strongly motivated to migrate to newer equipment and software, since XP-based networks will be vulnerable to viruses and issues that Microsoft will no longer resolve. The opportunity is huge, since close to 40 % of the market was reportedly still working in an XP environment in 2013. The Make the Move initiative gives resellers product information, marketing materials, statistics and strategies to help them educate their SMB customers and subsequently capture upgrades.

The program includes a Make the Move landing page at dandh.com, rife with stats and product details that resellers can use to encourage their end-users to make a transition. It features an outline on the indirect costs associated with use of an outmoded computing environment (e.g., PCs that are more than four years-old have 50 % more problems than newer models, and carry a 30 % higher cost-per-repair). The page also offers a run-down of the various advantages of Windows 8, with direct comparisons to Windows 7 and XP.

D&H is offering a full webcast and three short-subject programs through its web-based Solutions Lab. Available as of January 23, these pre-recorded presentations offer tips and instructions regarding the migration. See below for specifics on each session, which explore Microsoft tools and resources to aid the transition.

The distributor’s Partner Services marketing resources library has several customizable templates relevant to this topic as well.  The “Goodbye XP—the Times They Are A-Changing,” “Empower Your Business with Windows 8,” and the Intel-sponsored “Are Aging PCs Becoming a Company Liability?” templates can be customized with the VAR’s own branding.

“We’re genuinely excited about the prospects that the XP migration represents,” said Jeff Davis, senior vice president of sales at D&H. “The turnover to more sophisticated technologies will be invigorating, not just for the channel, but for the business community. Despite initial market polarization when it comes to letting go of XP, these companies are in for a terrific revelation.  The advanced Windows environments have much more to offer by way of security, speed, apps, mobility features and touch screen capabilities. It will drive the market in a positive direction.”

The D&H Solutions Lab January 23 XP Migration Sessions are as follows
XP Migration Webcast: “Opportunity of a Decade: Migrating Customers from Windows XP”
D&H’s Solutions Lab expert Bill Hersh explains the best ways to transition customers away from Windows XP, and the best reasons why. This includes strategies on engaging customers in the conversation, and information on free tools. Attendees can receive $50 savings on one of several eligible Touch Wins devices, and will be entered for a chance to win an Xbox One console.

January 23 - 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. ET

XP Migration Short #1: “Plan Your Migration Ahead with MAP”
This session will review Microsoft’s Assessment and Planning Toolkit. MAP is a free, robust evaluation tool that helps VARs create a comprehensive inventory of all desktop and server equipment deployed at a customer’s location. 

XP Migration Short #2:  “Prepare Your Clients for the Move”
D&H provides helpful XP migration tips, including use of Microsoft’s Windows Easy Transfer Utility.

XP Migration Short #3:  “Making Windows 8.1 More Familiar”
D&H shares simple tweaks and tips resellers can pass along to customers to make a new Windows 8 PC feel a little more familiar, to ease the transition.

Each of the short sessions will be presented by Solution Lab team member Matt Allison. To register, D&H customers can click on the Solutions Lab tab on dandh.com. 

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 96-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 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.  For more information, visit www.dandh.com.