Ingram Micro, an expert in technology and supply chain services, has announced a strategic alliance with Poly, a regarded provider of pro-grade audio and visual equipment and member of the HP brand in Australia. The new partnership is poised to enhance support for the burgeoning hybrid and remote workspace in the country.
Poly, previously known as Plantronics and Polycom, contributes solutions, including video conferencing tools, cameras, headsets, voice and software products. This addition allows customers to "create meeting equality" between in-person and remote participants during digital interactions. It dovetails neatly with the overall shift towards digital collaboration in contemporary workspaces, necessitated by an ongoing rise in flexible working arrangements.
Recent changes in Australian workplace dynamics underscore the relevance of this partnership. Roughly 34% of Australians report utilising a hybrid work arrangement with their employers, while over 50% of Australian companies now offer hybrid work options. This alliance supports such trends in the market by empowering resellers with an excellent range of options for the hybrid and remote workspace.
Tim Ament, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Australia and New Zealand, Ingram Micro, says: "With a large proportion of Australian workers now operating out of a home office some of the time, workplaces are looking for solutions to bring teams together through online environments."
"Poly brings its strengths in hardware, software, and AI for workplace collaboration to resellers who will be able to offer modern workplace collaboration tools to their customers."
The fresh collaboration with Poly to the distributor's audio-visual portfolio builds on Ingram Micro's existing relationship with HP. This was most recently recognised when Ingram Micro was honoured as HP's Hardware Distributor of the Year in 2022.
Michael So, Head of Enterprise and Managing Director of Poly, ANZ, HP, says: "HP and Poly unite to provide an intelligent ecosystem of AV hybrid work technology designed to elevate employee experiences."
"This new relationship with Ingram Micro underscores our commitment to supporting resellers in advancing modern workplace technology in Australia."
Hope McGarry, Ingram Micro's Advanced Solutions, Commercial and Specialty Director, echoes these sentiments, expressing excitement at the expansion of their portfolio with the inclusion of Poly's collaboration solutions.
McGarry states that housing Poly's offerings would allow "resellers to tap into the rapidly growing remote and hybrid work trends we are seeing in Australia," thus enabling them to offer employers identical collaboration tools for staff irrespective of their location.
The alliance between Ingram Micro and Poly is not confined to just the Australian market but extends to encompass existing relationships in North America and the EMEA regions. The Australian partnership is set to commence operation from November 2023, and stock will be made available to Australian resellers from November 1, 2023.