Feature[EC] Kindly describe the solution stacks used by Mindware and on display during Gitex 2021?
[Philippe Jarre] During Gitex 2021, our visitors will have the opportunity to see numerous Mindware solutions: we are exhibiting a full stack solution covering infrastructure servers, network, virtualisation, storage, cyber security, and cloud.
A good example is our VDI stack solution, including Dell Technologies along with Citrix VDI and RSA two-factor authentication integrations. A seamless integration of virtualisation + infrastructure + security, this stack delivers hypervisor solutions with the ability to protect user access to these resources.
At Mindware, from our portfolio of around fifty vendors supported by our engineer architects, we continually generate pre-packaged solutions for our channel partners. Essentially, we prepare 80% of the solution for the final client, and our partner can complement the balance 20%, which is, typically, client specific.
Such practices dramatically enhance the capability of our partners to deliver effective, solid solutions to their end users, always in a timely manner.
[EC] Are there any specific solutions and use cases on display during Gitex 2021?
[Philippe Jarre] Most of our vendor associates provide virtual labs which shall be displayed during Gitex 2021 to cover and showcase use-cases to prospects. As we do every year, our product experts will be available at the Mindware Gitex stand to assist.
This will cover the value chain of digital transformation the market is currently experiencing, as we phase out of Covid-19, from design, to implementation, to managed solutions delivered as a service.
Great examples are distribution contracts of Oracle and IBM, both of which were activated this year
[EC] How will Mindware engage with channel partners during Gitex 2021?
[Philippe Jarre] Our executive team and product and solutions experts will be there. The aim at Gitex is to act as the bridge between our vendors and partners. This Gitex is, indeed, a significant one as we are gradually moving back to the post-Covid 19 normal. Everybody is hungry to have face-to-face meetings again, interact in real life, touch, see, feel!
In fact, our Gitex week schedule is, not surprisingly, already packed. By observing these initial signs, it appears that this year’s Gitex is going to be a great success for all, exhibitors, and visitors.
[EC] How has Mindware transformed itself and its partner programme in the last 18-24 months, to meet expectations of regional channel partners?
[Philippe Jarre] At Mindware, we have thoroughly embraced the work-from-home practice across all our locations, we have migrated almost all channel activities online including marketing, workshops, virtual get together, and are recurrently launching numerous financial tools to help finance our partners.
As we typically do, we maintain and ensure we enrich our portfolio with top-class vendors who need an established distribution partner in the region. Great examples are the distribution contracts of Oracle and IBM, both of which were activated this year.
Lastly, in 2021, we have consolidated all Midis Group African distribution businesses under the Mindware Group umbrella. With this strategic move, we are now able to streamline the relationship with our vendors and to leverage our solutions expertise and financial capability that we can now offer to our partners based in these fruitful, yet complex markets.
“Our aim at Gitex is to act as the bridge between our vendors and partners”
[EC] Are there any specific training programs or briefing sessions planned by Mindware and its vendor partners for channel partners during Gitex 2021?
[Philippe Jarre] This year, our aim is to leverage the unique architecture of our stand and grant access to multiple visitors in the most flexible manner possible. This will enable us to educate our visitors as to what we can do for them in terms of trainings and workshops, during the year as part of our usual partner enablement practice.
[EC] What are the top announcements expected from Mindware and its vendor partners during Gitex 2021?
[Philippe Jarre] Our theme this year is Business Continuity, in other words, how Mindware can help our partners thrive and emerge out of the Covid-19 era. Surely, we have lined up multiple announcements around this theme, with numerous new-technology messages to support the next generation of business resilience.
Key Takeaways
- Exhibiting full-stack solutions covering infrastructure servers, network, virtualisation, storage, cyber security, cloud.
- Generate pre-packaged solutions for our channel partners from portfolio of around 50 vendors.
- Product experts will be available to assist on design, implementation, managed solutions delivered as a service.
- Executive team and product and solutions experts will be present.
- Leverage the unique architecture of the Mindware stand.
- Grant access to multiple channel partner visitors in the most flexible manner possible.
- Educate channel partner visitors on year-long trainings and workshops, as part of partner enablement practice.
- Mindware’s theme at Gitex is business continuity, and how Mindware can help thrive and emerge out of Covid-19 era.
- Numerous new-technology messages to support next generation of business resilience.
Enterprise Channels MEA met up with Philippe Jarre before Gitex to discuss how this VAD will be engaging with channel partner visitors at Gitex 2021.
