Infor reached a new high at the North American Channel Partner Summit 2011 in Orlando, Florida, July 13–15. With the theme “Business Beyond Boundaries,” the event attracted more than 360 attendees, including 200 Channel Partners.

The 2011 summit marked a new era for Infor and our Channel Partners, with “new” dominating the kickoff session—new technologies, new markets, new branding, new leadership, new opportunities, new relationships, new growth. Infor presented key points such as product update information, the Center of Excellence availability to Channel Partners, an introduction to Infor10, and the launch of the Infor Partner Network (IPN). 

During breakout sessions, with dedicated sessions for Infor10 EAM, Infor10 ERP Express (VISUAL), Infor10 ERP Business (SyteLine), Infor10 ERP Enterprise (LN), Infor10 Distribution Business (SX.e), Infor10 Distribution Express (FACTS), Infor10 Distribution iBusiness (A+), financials, System i, and LATAM partners, we discussed strategies and ways to execute those strategies. Inforians heard a different perspective on products, sales, and marketing from our Channel Partners.  Our partners learned about product updates and the new IPN, as well as tips on how to boost revenues and profits with Infor products.

In the expo hall, partners could meet a number of Infor teams, learn more about the IPN, and hear from some of our other partners. Exhibitors included IPN Get Started, IPN Get Trained, ITPN Get Selling, IPN Marketing, Infor Financing, Infor EPAK, Infor Barcode, and some of our solution partners.

The most popular aspect of the Infor Channel Summit was the opportunity for everyone to network and meet colleagues face-to-face. Jared Carollo, program manager representing Infor Financing at the conference, summed it up: “It was great to connect a face with each name of everyone that I talk to and email so frequently.” Infor partners added that this was the best conference they had attended. They specifically enjoyed meeting key members of the Infor management team as well as networking with industry peers.

Once the conference wrapped up, our partners walked away energized and excited to get back to business and selling Infor products.  Ed Lanko, of Infor partner company Godlan, commented, “The highlight of the conference was hearing about the dramatic improvement and investment in Infor’s products. It’s really a new era for Infor as their new leadership has a strong focus on the market as well as the partner channel.” We’ve recognized it’s time to think outside the box, question the status quo, and take our business beyond boundaries. We enjoyed seeing those of you in Florida, and look forward to seeing even more of you next year.

If you are currently not an Infor Channel Partner and are interested in becoming one, we would love to hear from you. Also, check out our new site dedicated to the Infor Partner Network.

As always, we would love you hear from you, leave your feedback and comments here.

Posted by Jeff Abbott, Vice President, Global Alliances and Channels, Infor

You’ve recently heard about our newly launched Infor Partner Network; now it’s time to put that initiative into action at our NA Channel Partner Summit 2011. Today, our valued partners will gather to learn more about the program, be inspired by what the future holds, and gain insight into how we can grow our respective businesses together.

The summit revolves around making our partners more effective and profitable. Our attendees will be motivated to take full advantage of Infor’s world-class programs and products after attending highly informative technology sessions. Partners can also participate in workshops designed with them in mind, as well as in product breakout sessions offering tips and tricks on Infor products and information on how best to be competitive.

Infor partners will be able to:

• Learn more about Infor’s exciting new global partner program—the Infor Partner Network.
• Get up to date on Infor’s latest product strategy and innovations.
• Discover how to “win” with Infor products.
• Meet with key members of the Infor management team.
• Network with industry peers.

Are you an Infor partner? It’s time to think outside the box, question the status quo, and take your business beyond boundaries.

If you are currently not an Infor Channel Partner and are interested in becoming one, we would love to hear from you.

Hope you’re enjoying your time in Florida.

To learn more about the Channel Partner Summit 2011, click here. Also, check out our new site dedicated to the Infor Partner Network.

As always, we would love you hear from you, leave your feedback and comments here.

Posted by Jeff Abbott, Vice President, Global Alliances and Channels, Infor

Today, Infor launched a new financing program for all of our customers. To help introduce this program, we sat down with our own Kevin Samuelson, senior vice president, mergers & acquisitions and integration, to get his take on Infor Financing and how it will create new value for customers.

Editor: Why offer financing now?

Kevin Samuelson: At the risk of oversimplifying my answer…because our customers have asked us for it. Given the importance of preserving cash in the current environment, there is considerable advantage for customers in rolling-out new technology initiatives and business strategies in a way that lets them fund these programs over time. Many companies are using the downturn to put programs into place that will enable them to emerge as stronger, more competitive organizations—and our software is a large part of that.

Editor: When does it make sense for a company to consider financing?

KS: Customers should consider finance options for each purchase. Everyone’s feeling the effects of budget constraints and more aggressive cash management. With financing, customers preserve cash for other investments, while avoiding large up-front payments for the software they need today. Financing helps our customers turn capital expenses into operational expenses—a key factor in managing cash flow.

Editor: How can customers benefit from financing?

KS: Through Infor Financing, customers can immediately move forward with business initiatives that will improve their bottom line—without depleting their cash reserves or impacting working capital.

Editor: What types of payment options and other packages will be offered?

KS: Our standard payment programs are for 24 and 36 months; however, we also have the flexibility to offer extended payment terms for large transactions.

Editor: How long will Infor offer 0% financing?

KS: The zero percent financing program, which lets customers lock-in interest-free monthly payments for a period of 24 months, will be available until September 2009. As we get closer to that date we may consider extending the 0% program.

Editor: Is there a minimum deal size, or other “fine print?”

KS: Infor Financing is available for all customers (direct sales or through our worldwide network of channel partners) who have made at least a $15,000 purchase. Customers can finance software license costs, professional services, and maintenance/support fees. I encourage everyone interested in Infor Financing to visit the Infor Financing website.

Editor: Everyone has heard horror stories of the difficulties in securing loans recently. How difficult is it to qualify for financing?

KS: Infor has a wide range of financing programs for all companies and our goal is to make the financing process as simple as possible. Even if a customer does not qualify for traditional financing or zero percent financing, we can still work with them to establish an appropriate financing plan.

Editor: Are you offering software leasing as well?

KS: No. With our financing program, customers take ownership of their software licenses when they sign the agreements.

Editor: Where is the program offered?

KS: We are starting the financing program in North America and expect to gradually extend the program worldwide over the next year.

Posted by Lauren Banks, Infor Blog
 

Over the past year, Infor has launched worldwide Channel Partner recruitment drives, the latest of which was just announced in North America.

Dennis Michalis, SVP for Global Partners at Infor, sat down with me to talk about Infor’s Channel Partner Program, the kinds of programs Infor offers, and the state of the industry.

Note: For more on the North American Channel Partner Program, attend the webinar on May 14. It will be archived on the Infor website, as well. You can also visit the Global Channel Partner Program site for more information.

Editor: What is the state of the industry for value-added resellers and other types of partners in enterprise software? How are they coping with the downturn?

Dennis Michalis: Obviously, the recession is the biggest issue facing the industry today. For small businesses, where a lot of our partners’ efforts are focused, spending is definitely tighter. In general, companies at the lower end of the market don’t set aside capital to maintain spending in a downturn.

And some regions are more affected than others. A lot of it depends on the focus. We may have two partners in the same city, one focused on automotive and another on distribution, who are facing different levels of intensity.

Our goal is to help all of our partners get through this and come up swinging in the recovery. We are helping them with access to capital through financing programs for customers, tuning our programs to match the environment, helping them to create their own, and just in general giving them the tools they need to compete and win business.