Fujitsu Siemens Computers targets 50 per cent growth for its UK reseller base

- Launches new recruitment programme to grow its number of Elite2 SME resellers to over 400 by end of current fiscal year

28 July 2003 - Fujitsu Siemens Computers, one of the UK's fastest-growing suppliers of IT products and solutions to the SME market, has launched a major channel recruitment programme to grow its number of UK resellers by 50 per cent. The company currently has some 270 resellers accredited to its Elite2 reseller programme, and is looking to recruit a further 130-140 additional resellers by the end of April 2004 in order to support its continued growth in the UK SME sector. Last year Fujitsu Siemens Computers grew its SME business by some 28 per cent, gaining market share and establishing the company as a key player in this important market segment.
 
Fujitsu Siemens Computers is one of the few major IT vendors with a clear commitment to selling and supporting its customers through the channel. Throughout the last year the company has successfully delivered on its 100 per cent indirect SME approach, with resellers supported by its Elite2 accreditation programme that provides a comprehensive mix of sales and service training, marketing support and innovative sales programmes. Fujitsu Siemens Computers supports its channel partners with a range of innovative channel programmes. These include the successful refresh4you - the industry's first add-on fourth year warranty for desktop hardware; margin4you - a series of offers including free second CPUs for servers that allow resellers to increase their margins; and demo4you which makes reseller demonstration kit available at substantially reduced rates.
 
"When we first launched our Elite2 accreditation scheme two years ago we were determined to build and resource a channel programme that really did create value for our resellers," commented Ian Snadden, Director, Channel & SME Sales for Fujitsu Siemens Computers. "That's why we initially recruited just 250 resellers to our Elite2 programme, because we wanted to make sure we had the people and skills in place - within Fujitsu Siemens Computers, our distribution channel and at our resellers - to really make the most of our potential in the SME sector. Last year we were able to grow our SME business by some 28 per cent and take market share from the competition - so it's an approach that's clearly working for our resellers.
 
"Now that we've built a strong channel and started to establish Fujitsu Siemens Computers as a real alternative for SME customers, we're keen to move forward and recruit more resellers to help drive the next stage of our development in this important market," continued Snadden. "We've found that resellers are responding well to our clear SME channel focus as it not only helps them to defend against the threat of direct vendors, but also gives them real opportunities in terms of broad range and innovative offers such as our recent refresh4you initiative."
 
Fujitsu Siemens Computers has a track record of innovation in the SME channel, with programmes such as value4you which provides resellers with the best priced products for next day delivery, made4you which provides resellers with build-to-order, and refresh4you, the industry's first add-on fourth year warranty for desktop hardware. These and other programmes are based on a regular polling of SME customer requirements, and are designed to help the company's channel partners respond directly to SME customer needs.
 
About Fujitsu Siemens Computers: Fujitsu Siemens Computers is the leading European computer company, supporting customers' growing demands for Business Critical and Mobility solutions. The company draws on the strengths and innovation of its parent companies - Fujitsu Limited and Siemens AG - who have a joint R&D spend equivalent to €9 billion per year. Fujitsu Siemens Computers provides its customers with one of the industry's most comprehensive IT product ranges - from PDAs through to the data centre - giving them the choices they need to make real IT infrastructure savings. The company offers Solaris-based PRIMEPOWER UNIX servers for the data centre, best-in-class PRIMERGY Intel-based systems, and a full range of enterprise storage solutions. Fujitsu Siemens Computers is also one of the leading providers of professional PCs, workstations and secure mobile computing products - including PDAs, notebooks and Tablet PCs - to business customers, and is Europe's leading supplier of PCs for home users and small offices.
 
For further information, please visit: www.fujitsu-siemens.com.
 
UK Press Office
Marisa Reynolds / Emeshe Coop
Fujitsu Siemens Computers
Tel: 01344 475811
E-mail: ukpressoffice@fujitsu-siemens.com