C2000 to help VARs fight for public sector business

Public Sector Tendering Workshops offer training and advice on competing for trade

VARs are being offered the chance to become primed and ready to compete for business in the public sector, according to Computer 2000.

The distributor is aiming to prepare its partners with the launch of free training workshops this month.

The company said the Public Sector Tendering Workshops will help resellers overcome the barriers of working within the sector.

Cathi Low, who holds the newly created title of director of public sector at C2000, believes there are big opportunities of which resellers can take advantage.

She said: "With the government targeting 25 per cent of all public sector procurement to go through SMEs, there are big opportunities for IT resellers.

"The workshops will help smaller resellers understand what is required, overcome the perceived barriers and bid more effectively. They will give resellers the chance to get primed and ready to compete for business in the public sector."

The distributor claims to have worked on public sector business with about 400 resellers this year and set out bespoke growth plans for 40. The firm claims its public sector business in May grew 24 per cent year on year.

The workshops will offer training, advice and access to additional e-learning materials after the event.

Low added: "We are getting a very positive response from both resellers and vendors, and seeing some good results. There is much more to do though, and that is one of the reasons why we are running these additional workshops.

"We know there is potential for resellers with good value propositions to get involved – they just need to understand how to go about it."

The workshops will take place in Watford on 12 July and at Microsoft's Thames Valley Park on 16 July.