Notice: If you are a Lenovo Business Partner, please visit the Lenovo Web site at www.lenovo.com or call 1-877-536-9955 for assistance from Lenovo.
IDs and passwords
Q1:
Why should I join PartnerWorld?
A:
PartnerWorld, the worldwide program for IBM Business Partners, offers sales, marketing, technical, training and collaboration benefits to create new opportunities designed to help you grow your business and drive increased profits.
Q2:
Who can join PartnerWorld?
A:
PartnerWorld is open to all employees of companies completing the PartnerWorld registration process.
Q3:
How do I join PartnerWorld?
A:
You must complete the PartnerWorld registration process to begin enjoying the many benefits and resources available to IBM Business Partners.
On line registration takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Your PartnerWorld welcome notification with your PartnerWorld ID will arrive within (2) business days.
Answer your security question to reset your password. Note: your security answer is case sensitive. Re-enter your password for confirmation and submit.
Q7:
I forgot my security question; how can I reset it?
A:
Contact the worldwide IBM Registration help desk at 1-888-426-4409. Advise the agent that you have forgotten your security answer. Provide the agent with either your IBM ID or your e-mail address. The agent will e-mail you the answer to your security question.
What do I need to know to make changes to profiles?
A:
In most cases you will need to know who is assigned as your organization’s Authorized Profile Administrator (APA) or your Primary Relationship Contact (PRC).
To find your Authorized Profile Administrator:
Sign in to PartnerWorld and select “Update Profile” in the left navigator column.
Select “Update your company profile” and choose a location profile.
Select “View the people assigned to each role” to see the name of your company’s Authorized Profile Administrator (APA).
To find your Primary Relationship Contact:
Sign in to PartnerWorld and select “Updated Profile” in the left navigator column.
Select “Update your company profile” and choose a location profile.
Select “View the people assigned to each role” to see the name of your company’s Primary Relationship Contact (PRC).
Q2:
How do I update my company's profile?
A:
Authorization to perform this task is restricted to the Authorized Profile Administrator (APA). To complete an update:
On the “update profile” page, select on “update your company profile”.
Q3:
How do I add myself to my company's profile?
A:
You will need your "company token" from your company's Authorized Profile Administrator (APA) or Primary Relationship Contact (PRC) before taking the following steps:
Sign in to PartnerWorld.
Under "PartnerWorld program" select "Update profile" in the left navigator column.
Scroll down to the "Add yourself to a location profile" link under the "Update your employee profile" heading.
Q4:
Where can I find my company token number?
A:
Authorization to access the company token in PPS is restricted to the Authorized Profile Adminstrator(APA).
Sign in to PartnerWorld and select "Update profile" in the left navigator column.
Select "Update your company profile".
Scroll down and locate and click "Country Enterprise." Choose "General Information."
Q5:
How soon will I have access to the PartnerWorld Web site after I submitting my PartnerWorld profile?
A:
You will have member access to the web site the day after your "pending" profile has been approved by your company's Primary Relationship Contact (PRC).
Q6:
Where can I view my pending agreements?
A:
To view pending agreements:
Sign in to PartnerWorld and select "Update profile" in the left navigator column.
Select "Update your company profile" and choose a location profile.
Select "Agreements" in left navigator column.
Q7:
How do I report my company’s revenue?
A:
To report revenue:
Sign into Partnerworld. Select “PartnerWorld Program” in the left navigator column and choose the “Membership Level” subcategory.
Select “Advanced” and select “Ensure your qualifications are accurate”. Scroll down to “Revenue”.
Mid-range revenue is reported by the distributor.
Software revenue is fed to PPS when the Passport Advantage Reseller ID is added to the Business Partner’s profile in PPS. The PPA ID must be used at all times to place software orders (if you do not have a PPA ID and are selling IBM’s software, please contact your distributor or your IBM representative.)
System x and Printer resellers must report their individual sales through the Sales Representatives.
Q8:
What do I do if the IBM revenue reflected in my company’s profile is incorrect?
A:
Contact PartnerWorld Contact Services and provide them with the following information:
Country
Company Name
Country Enterprise ID
BP contact and e-mail address
Your Distributor
The correct Amount and broken out by Brand (Storage, System i, etc) of revenue you're claiming for
Any other relevant information
Q9:
How do I get my information published in the IBM Business Partner directory?
A:
To learn how to publish information in the IBM Business Partner Directory:
Select 'Member sign in' and enter your ID and password
On the right navigational bar select 'Update your profile'
In the middle of the page select 'Update your company profile'
In the middle of the page select 'Country enterprise location'
Scroll to the bottom of the page and select 'Marketing information'
Select Yes to publish information to other business partners and/or publish information to customers.
Save the record.
It is recommended additional information is provided including a brief description about your company, and solutions and services provided if necessary.
What criteria are used to calculate the points for PartnerWorld membership levels?
A:
PartnerWorld membership level is determined based on the aggregation of points earned for skills/solutions, revenue, and customer satisfaction. Access the detailed membership level qualification criteria under the PartnerWorld program section of the web site.
Q2:
Where can I see the points accumulated toward my membership level?
A:
Access this information to the points table is restricted to the Authorized Profile Administrator (APA). To access the points table:
Select “Update Profile” from the left navigator column.
Select "Update your company profile." Select "Location" and choose "PartnerWorld level summary” to view your information.
Q3:
Why is my Achieved level different than my PartnerWorld level?
A:
Your Achieved level is calculated using the PartnerWorld points tables based on the data we have about your company.
Your company may have lost criteria which qualified you for a higher benefit level due to expirations. You may re-qualify on the expiration related criteria to reestablish your achieved level. This is important now that yearly re-qualification has been sunset and the qualifications are dynamic.
If you have the required number of PartnerWorld points and criteria needed to achieve a higher membership level, your profile will automatically reflect the higher level. If you have questions about anything reflected in your profile, contact PartnerWorld Contact Services.
Q4:
What are the required qualifications to become an Advanced level Business Partner?
A:
Qualification for membership levels is based upon your company's attainment toward the criteria specified on the PartnerWorld points table.
Points are earned by:
Acquiring skills
Developing and selling ISV solutions
Driving IBM revenue
Achieving customer satisfaction
It takes 7 points to become an Advanced-Level Business Partner. Reseller Business Partners must have a minimum of 3 qualified skills, of which one must be a qualified technical skill and one must be a qualified sales skill, plus revenue attainment to add up to 7 points. ISVs must demonstrate that their IBM-based solutions have been successfully implemented at a customer site by submitting a customer experience. Learn more about the detailed qualification criteria for Advanced level membership.
Q5:
I have the required number of points to be Advanced level. Why is my Achieved level only Member?
A:
You may not meet the required minimum skills requirement. To attain Advanced level, mandatory skills are required. At the Advanced level, 3 IBM skills are required. One must be an IBM technical skill, another must be an IBM sales skill, and the third can be either IBM sales or IBM technical. Alternately, one ISV customer-validated solution can be used to meet the Advanced skill minimum.
Q6:
How do I become a Premier level Business Partner?
A:
For ISVs, Premier level is by invitation only. Resellers must attain 25 points. Of the 25 points, you must have a minimum of 6 skills/certifications. Two of the skills/certifications must be technical and two must be sales. The other two can be any combination of technical and sales. Premier level Business Partners must also have an approved, current PartnerPlan in place. Learn more about the detailed qualification criteria for Premier level membership.
Q7:
I have the required number of points and skills necessary for PartnerWorld Premier level. Why is my Achieved level only Advanced?
A:
You must have an approved PartnerPlan to achieve Premier membership level. If you have an approved PartnerPlan, PartnerWorld Contact Services can help you get this verified and reflected in your profile.
Q8:
How do I view the benefits for each of my company’s locations?
A:
To view benefits by location:
Sign in to PartnerWorld and select “Update Profile” in the left navigator column.
Select “Update your company profile” and select a company profile.
Select “Benefits and relationships” in the left navigator column.
Communities are groups of people with a common interest. A public community is available for all to join, while a private community is restricted to a particular group.
Q2:
What is the benefit to an IBM Business Partner for joining an IBM Community?
A:
A community provides a central spot for users to stay in touch, share information, and exchange ideas.
IBM Value Net Connections - How to Find and Team with Business Partners
Q1:
What is Value Net Connections?
A:
PartnerWorld Value Net Connections encapsulates proven best practices for successful teaming. It offers a comprehensive, end-to-end approach for developing value nets – from assisting in the selection of the right Business Partner and helping with the development of the right solutions, to providing the program support that drives go-to-market activities. For more information visit the Value Net Connections program web site
Q2:
Can any IBM Business Partner participate in Value Net Connections?
Is there a guarantee that my firm will be matched with another company as part of Value Net Connections?
A:
The primary success in establishing productive value nets is the ability to identify Business Partners that are compatible in terms of technology, industry and geographic focus. And although there are no guarantees that you will be successfully matched, there are thousands of Business Partners currently profiled in the Value Net Connections initiative.
Q5:
Is PartnerWorld Value Net Connections available globally?
A:
Yes, IBM PartnerWorld Value Net Connections is available worldwide.
Q6:
How do I register in the Value Net Connections program?
A:
Fill out a simple online registration form on the PartnerWorld Value Net Connections web site landing page. A representative will contact you within 48 business hours to start the profiling and matching process.
Q7:
Can my company participate in Value Net Connections if we already have a value net relationship?
A:
Yes. Register your existing value net relationship through the PartnerWorld Value Net Connections web site and a Value Net Connections representative will contact you to support your business planning and go-to-market execution.
Select 'Member sign in' and enter your ID and password.
Select 'Update your profile' from left navigator column.
In the middle of the page select on 'Update your company profile'.
In the middle of the page select on the 'Location' link.
Scroll down and select on 'Location list of employees'.
Select the name of the employee.
Select 'Skills and certifications'.
On the right hand side of the page select 'Add a candidate ID'.
Select 'Sales' or 'Technical' to identify the certification.
Save the record.
It may take up to 24 hours for the system to update the information.
Q2:
How do I report my certifications?
A:
To report certifications:
Sign into PartnerWorld and click on Update your profile in the left navigator column.
Click on “Update your Personal Employee Profile” under the “Employee Profile” section.
Open your profile and select “Skills and certifications” and add your candidate ID number. IBM Professional Certification information is automatically transmitted to PPS from the certification testing vendors.
Q3:
How long does it take for my certifications to show in my profile once I have entered my candidate ID?
A:
Certifications should appear the day after you enter your Candidate ID in PPS.
Q4:
Why aren't my certifications visible in my profile, even though I have entered my candidate ID?
A:
It could be that you have more than one Candidate ID. If you took an exam under another Candidate ID that is not listed in PPS, this will prevent your certifications from recording properly in the Partner Profile System (PPS). You can request to have multiple Candidate IDs merged by sending an email to certify@us.ibm.com. If your skill is not listed in the PartnerWorld skills table, it will not show in your profile.
Q5:
What is the difference between a Certification and a Mastery exam?
A:
Certification: IBM Professional Certification is used to verify skill and proficiency in IBM technology. It is designed to validate an individual's ability to perform a job-role, related to an IBM product, solution or service offering.
Mastery exam: Mastery exams are used to verify the mastery of knowledge covered in a course or defined set of learning materials. Though not a certification, a mastery test can help to assure an individual has achieved a foundation of knowledge and understanding of a given subject.
Q6:
Who can sell or deliver IBM Training?
A:
IBM provides opportunities for Business Partners to earn additional revenue by selling and/or delivering IBM Training through the Authorized Independent Training Provider (AIPT) programs for IBM Software and /or IBM Systems. You can apply by visiting the following URLs:
What is IBM Business Partner Value Package / Value Options?
A:
IBM Business Partner Value Package is a rich set of benefits comprised of IBM software licenses for demonstration and evaluation, development and testing, internal training and Run Your Business use; education reimbursement; and pre-sales/pre-deployment technical support. It is highly recommended that Business Partners purchase the PartnerWorld Value Package in order to help develop skills and gain access to these advanced benefit offerings. As you move up the PartnerWorld levels from Member to Advanced and Premier, your benefits will increase at no additional cost.
Q2:
Where do I find out more information about Value Package / Value Options?
A:
To find out more about Value Package and Value Options:
Sign into PartnerWorld. Select PartnerWorld Program on the left navigator column
What options are available to me within the Global Solutions Directory?
A:
You will see the available options under the “Manage Solutions”" page of the Global Solution Directory as follows:
"Create and update your solutions"
"Submit a customer experience"
"Add a solution to the Business Partner Application Showcase"
"Nominate your solution for an IBM technical validation"
"View response cards"
Q4:
My PartnerWorld level summary indicates that an approved ISV solution is worth 7 points. What do I need to do to get my solution approved?
A:
An approved ISV solution can be achieved by submitting a customer experience through "Manage solutions" within the Global Solutions Directory. The customer experience is verified by IBM or a representative of IBM. It demonstrates that your solution, integrated with an approved IBM middleware product and running on IBM hardware, has been successfully installed in production at a customer site.
Q5:
How do I submit a customer experience to qualify for PartnerWorld Advanced level?
