Harrisburg, Pa.-based D&H Distributing Co. is offering programs and training opportunities to support resellers throughout the launch of Microsoft’s new Windows 10 operating system. Windows 10-oriented content includes an on-demand Solutions Lab webcast that can be streamed via dandh.com. This presentation, originally broadcast in July with a live Q&A session, commanded the largest audience in the history of the distributor’s Solutions Lab program. Microsoft Windows 10 was officially released on July 29.
D&H has also developed a Windows 10 Partner Services marketing template, outlining messages to help resellers reiterate the benefits of the system. It reviews both familiar (and Windows 7-like) features like the Start menu; plus enhanced elements such as the Cortana digital assistant and the new Microsoft Edge built-in browser. D&H also maintains a dedicated team of Microsoft experts on its Solutions Team, who can be reached at microsoftspecialist@dandh.com. Microsoft presented a standing-room-only Windows 10 tutorial seminar at D&H’s recent New England Trade Show in the Boston area, and additional sessions are expected for the fall. D&H customers can visit www.dandh.com/windows10 for more resources.
D&H carries an array of new Windows 10-based computers from partners such as HP, Lenovo, Toshiba, Samsung, Dell, ASUS, and Acer. Microsoft is offering a no-cost upgrade to Windows 10 for a range of legacy machines in the marketplace that were originally sold with Windows 8.1 (redeemable within one year of purchase). This opens the door for resellers to initiate new dialogs with their customers, which often lead to other upgrades and/or service opportunities.
“We’ve had a Windows 10 upgrade path in place for VARs for some time,” says Jeff Davis, senior vice president of sales at D&H Distributing. “We’re looking to support our resellers regarding the new operating system, whether that means helping them educate end users about new features, identifying the more familiar characteristics of the system, or supporting upgrades and greenfield installations. Based on the responses we’ve gotten to our current trainings, there is huge interest in the channel. We want our VARs to be on top of this transition, reengaging with their end customers to further entrench themselves as trusted IT providers.”
