Leadership By Numbers :: Cheap Thinkpads for US IBM Business Partners through TAP

As an IBM Business Partner, I am eligible for discounted ThinkPad's and X-series servers through Technology Access Program (TAP). IBM gives a hefty 40% reduction to those fortunate to qualify and resourceful enough to persevere. I can't help you qualify, but I can detail the process and save you a lot of wasted time. So, if you are a US IBM Business Partner, and you need to invest in some hardware before the end of the year, here is the how-to

You begin by obtaining a TAP account number. Essentially, this is verification that your Business Partner status is correct. The most important part is your PartnerWorld Track affiliation and/or PartnerWorld ID and a correct email address to receive your notification.
You'll receive an automated email reply confirming your status, and assigning you an account number. As it turned out for me, my application was accepted, but they recorded the wrong account number (one digit short). So, save all correspondence; you are working through a bureaucracy where the process is a relay race and you are the baton.
Now, go get the program details which is mostly current and correct. This document explains what you can do and how to do it.
You need to pick out your equipment. I'll stick to ThinkPads as my example. Go to the on-line service and select Notebooks. The TAP program has many limitations, and not all of them are itemized: no used or clearance equipment, no entry level choices, and the 40% discount does not apply to sale items or express selections (they receive a 25% discount).
Basically, there is no G40 model that is appropriate (by the time you find a G model that TAP will sell you, it is one of the high-end units for which an R, T, or X ThinkPad would make a better choice). Select one of the R, T or X series links and then select View All Models. Don't go too crazy over the different options; you will not be given the opportunity to customize your choices. However, the ThinkPads use standard interfaces, so it is possible to purchase a cheap R50e (18345BU for about $570) that comes with a CD-ROM, and swap it out for a third-party 12.7-mm removable DVD when you are ready. Check out http://forum.thinkpads.com/ for any questions about hardware configurations and such.
Make your list of notebooks that fit your needs, but don't fall in love with them, yet. You'll need to make sure that you can actually purchase one of your selections (following steps 4 and 5). I'm not a reseller (which means that I don't have a LOC ID), so my interaction was through PartnerChoice (1 866 426-555 ext: 3). Give PartnerChoice a call, tell them what you are looking at and confirm that you will get the right discount for the units you picked. They'll email you a form for you to complete and fax back to them.
After PartnerChoice has received your fax, then they will email you the completed tally.
The next part is weird—how to pay. IBM will not accept a credit card (unless you already have an established credit line with them). You can either wire them the money (Western Union style, or through your bank) or send in a check. If you decide to forego the wire business (there is a charge) and use a check, you must send it to an IBM financial center where it will be held for 10 days. Period. If you use a cashier's check, it will also wait 10 days. I decided to FedEx a check and tolerate the wait.

This entire process would be terribly maddening, except that everyone with whom I talked were always helpful and courteous. I especially want to thank the Inside Client Representatives for Business Partners (Chris Bourdos, Paul Chan, Mike Kalogeras, and Bill Tirpkos).

I'm planning on taking advantage of the 10 day holding period to pick out a notebook case.

Comments

3 - So, for the lazy, do you have a list of configs/prices on thinkpads that can be bought through TAP?

None of them have AMD chips yet

Posted by kenyee At 05:29:32 AM On 12/24/2004 | - Website - |

2 - Eric: I agree completely with your diatribe against IBM bureaucracy, to which every IBMer agrees, and then points in the other direction for responsibility. There is just no concept of working with a small-business mentality. What would be the reward?

Kenyee: Hm, you *are* lazy aren't you? :) Basically, do as I listed above. No express and no web sale items, and then take that short list to the the PartnerChoice team and make sure your choices are acceptable. There's no bad choices with ThinkPads.

Posted by Jack Dausman At 06:05:53 AM On 12/24/2004 | - Website - |