itX awarded 'Lotus Worldwide Distributor of the Year' by IBM

 IBM evaluated nominations from five continents and over 30 countries and shortlisted distributors who demonstrated leadership in several key areas. 

These  include growing the total Lotus revenue year to year, executing innovative and effective marketing campaigns to drive demand for Lotus products and expanding the Lotus and WebSphere business via targeted partner recruitment, partner skill development and utilisation of IBM channel marketing programs.

itX was recognised as for delivering high double-digit growth in their Notes/Domino business, driving double-digit growth in SMB new license sales, recruiting 24 new partners to the Lotus family, and investing in sales enablement universities across the country.

The company was also singled out for creating the Pipeline program, an automated web-based lead

generation tool which helps resellers create and send marketing campaigns.

As part of this program, itX developed three ready to go Lotus campaigns, promoting Lotus Forms, Lotus Notes & Domino 8 and Lotus Foundations.

Greg Newham, general manager at itX said he was 'thrilled' with the award.

"We've been commended by our local vendors for the recruitment and development programs we have in place and we've won some great awards over the years in recognition of our success," he said.

"We've also been showcased in Australia and throughout Asia Pacific as best practice distribution which is a great honor, but to be put up on the world stage by IBM and given the recognition that we're leading the pack across 30 countries has to be the pinnacle and makes us all very proud indeed."

According to Sue Hope, general business & channels executive for IBM software A/NZ itX is highly regarded in the reseller community and has made significant investment in its IBM software business.

"Our objective has been to have distributors that add value to the IBM software channel and itX have worked closely with us to enable their partners and help them with demand generation programs," she said.

itX also received high ratings from their resellers who value their "creative development" of end user demand generation tactics and "sound product knowledge".

Lois Jewell, marketing manager at Eos Solutions said itX has actively assisted in marketing and business development, sales training and business planning activities.

"itX is unique within the IBM software channel in that they are willing to invest resources directly into "end user" demand generation," said Jewell.

"By acting as a central point of liaison between the channel and IBM, and assuming the high cost of creative development and production for the benefit of multiple resellers, itX help us deliver targeted, effective marketing messages to our clients that would otherwise be outside our capabilities.

"This is backed up with sound product knowledge and efficient distribution practices which makes the resulting sales process fast and hassle-free in line with our customer expectations."

IBM's Lotusphere event was held in Florida in the U.S.