A "more focused" event promised for VARs

Big Blue has received a thumbs up from its channel following its low-key move to overhaul its annual partner summit.

PartnerWorld is this year being replaced with the Business Partner Leadership Conference (BPLC), an invitation-only event that is likely to see attendee numbers drop from 5,000 to 2,000.

Top partners claim the change signals Big Blue’s decision to throw its weight behind fewer partners. John Lindley, chief executive of IBM reseller Portal Partnerships, said: “This is a very positive move as IBM clearly wants to focus on a more select group of business partners. Those that have not been invited may have had their noses put out of joint, but I would question how much value they would have got out of the previous event.”

Shaune Parsons, managing director of IBM VAR Computer World Wales, said: “PartnerWorld was a huge event and a nightmare to manage ­ probably a third of the people were there just for fun. I would definitely welcome a more focused event.”