Suzanne Mattaboni
Suzanne Mattaboni Communications
For D&H Distributing
(610)261-4560
suzgm@aol.com

For Immediate Release:

D&H OFFERS RESOURCES FOR EDUCATION RESELLERS, INCLUDING WINDOWS AND CHROME DEVICES, SUPPORT AND TRAINING

As New Initiatives Create Opportunities in this Vertical, D&H Can Help VARs Win Bids Through Quality Products, a New Online Resource Site, Education-Specific Sessions and More

HARRISBURG, PA - May 28, 2014 - Leading North American computer products and consumer electronics distributor D&H Distributing announces an enhanced initiative to support education resellers. This offering includes competitively-priced hardware; webcast, seminar and marketing programs; inventory support; and assistance with the bid process. The effort will help customers capture sales of the latest devices and connectivity solutions in the K-12 marketplace, as both vendor and government programs actively promote increased use of technology and connectivity in school environments.

Several efforts are underway that encourage school districts to upgrade their computer devices, software and infrastructures, generating from both the public and government sectors. These include the administration's new "ConnectED" initiative, similar to the E-Rate program established in the late 1990s, which hopes to leverage the Universal Service Fund to facilitate wireless connectivity at schools and libraries. The "Common Core State Standards" (set by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers) specifies the use of technology as part of its regimen. And Microsoft's "Shape the Future" program offers funding to help government entities achieve their digital access goals, including through the education channel.

D&H has a roster of services available to help resellers win education market bids. These include guidance in streamlining the bid process, plus aggressive bid pricing from vendor partners. The distributor also offers enhanced support with inventory by way of product forecasting and planning, making for a smoother and more predictable procurement process.

D&H has launched an Education web page at www.dandh.com/K12 which delivers detailed tips and knowledge on appropriate classroom solutions, plus links to receive timely information on programs such as the above. Larry Staub, D&H's director of its education division, presented a streaming media webcast entitled "Capitalizing on Business Opportunities in K-12," available for on-demand viewing at dandh.com. This webcast was one of the best-attended US-only Solutions Lab presentations D&H has conducted to date. In addition, the distributor has posted a new on-demand Lab session entitled "Understanding Chromebooks and How They Fit Into K-12."

D&H's Summer Mid-Atlantic Trade Show on June 26 will emphasize the education market, including a central "Education Lounge" which will allow attendees try-out products appropriate for this market. The company's March 27 West Coast Technology Show (City of Industry, CA) featured a seminar from ASUS on selling to the education vertical: "Big K-12 School Hardware Opportunities with Chromebooks and Microsoft's 'Shape the Future.'" The same show offered a "Chrome Zone" demonstration booth where resellers were able to test the latest Chromebook models.

D&H's Partner Services marketing library currently offers a template, "Continue to Educate Without the IT Headache," on K-12 technology sales. New templates on classroom solutions are in development as well. These materials can be branded with the VAR's own messaging and used to help market technologies to schools.

Classroom Devices: Focus on Quality, Value and Performance

D&H partners such as HP, Lenovo, ASUS, Dell, Samsung and Acer carry an array of models designated for the education environment, due to these products' combination of both powerful capabilities and value. This is a dual-OS initiative from D&H, featuring classroom devices such as laptops, Ultrabooks, Chromebooks, tablets, desktops and All-in-Ones, respectively using the Microsoft Windows and Chrome operating systems. And Microsoft is offering special pricing to the education market for its Windows OS through its Shape the Future program, making this technology more accessible for K-12 purchasers.

D&H's networking and education market experts will be available to help resellers assemble the best turn-key solutions, whether outfitting a single computer lab or connecting a widespread school campus. The Solutions Specialist team includes experts on several of D&H's academic technology providers, including Acer, ASUS, Cisco, Dell, HP and Lenovo.

"The education marketplace can be complicated to navigate, often involving Federal or state-based parameters and arduous application processes. In addition, vendors offer a range programs for VARs to sort through," said Staub. "D&H will use the resources at its disposal to help support resellers, advising them as to the types of solutions, products, and infrastructures they can choose to fulfill bids. We offer a selection of affordable, high quality devices both from the Chrome and the Windows perspective, and we have the expertise to help solution providers create the best solutions for successful and cost-effective K-12 environments."

About D&H Distributing

As the nation's leading technology distributor, D&H provides a wealth of resources to empower solution providers and consultants, delivering a broad selection of SMB categories, products and applications. The company's offerings span server and infrastructure, SOHO and mobile applications, consumer electronics and gaming. D&H's multimarket expertise, account-dedicated sales teams, sterling service and flexible financing options are unmatched in the industry.

With an impressive 96-year history serving as a trusted advisor to the reseller channel, D&H has been able to consistently reinvent itself based upon changing market conditions. The company prides itself on creating business partnerships with an astute focus on ease-of-doing-business, relationships, value, performance and service.

D&H ships out of five separate locations in North America, including its US headquarters in Harrisburg and its Canadian headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario. Additional US warehouses are located in Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; and Fresno, CA. Call D&H toll-free at (800) 340-1001 or visit www.dandh.com.

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