Stuart Hansell, IBM channel account manager said: "I am delighted that Softcat has now qualified for our IBM System x Specialty programme. This demonstrates the huge amount of investment Softcat has made in educating its staff on the System x portfolio to better support their customers’ needs. I am very excited about working with Softcat as we transfer to Lenovo next month."

Softcat has invested heavily in training sales and technical staff on the IBM portfolio to reach the necessary standards to achieve System x Specialty. It remains focused on providing the best possible service to customers whilst fulfilling its obligations to valued partner IBM.

Richard Wyn Griffith, Softcat’s solutions sales manager, said: “Our staff are always keen to remain on the crest of new technologies, so we provide them with the best available training on all partner products and services. Not only does this improve their individual skillsets, but it keeps our customers happy as it provides them with better support and value.” He added: “With IBM’s recent release of the x M5 systems this accreditation couldn’t have come at a better time; our staff are fully primed to advise and assist customers on purchases and upgrades.”

The new IBM System x M5 systems are designed to improve security, efficiency, and reliability for cloud, analytics and big data workloads. The launch comes at a time when many of Softcat's customers are reviewing their infrastructure in line with the discontinuation of Microsoft Server 2003 support.

For more information about IBM's latest server range or to discuss the transition of IBM's System x to Lenovo, contact your Softcat account manager or call 01628 403403.