No Credit Crunch in the Channels – Health Care IT Financing

This is another way to help finance Healthcare IT purchases. Microsoft Partners can help advise on how to qualify and get started for a simple example. Also in the news today, Dell computer, backed by Intel financing may offer some alternatives. BD

“Microsoft Financing enables customers to have one financing resource for their end-to-end IT solutions needs—including software, hardware, and consulting services. Now organizations of any size can identify the best IT solution to meet their business needs, select the licensing and financing solution they want, and manage the costs in a predictable and affordable way.”

Solution providers looking to close deals and get paid upfront from cash-strapped customers should turn to financing and credit options. Despite the Wall Street meltdown, plenty of money still circulates in the channel credit system.

These VARs may be missing the boat. The use of technology financing is growing – particularly software financing – with or without VAR participation. Those VARs who make financing a regular option on the solutions they offer are more likely to close the deals than the VARs who don't. It's certainly something that end-customers are latching onto.

Distributors and banks aren’t the only sources of credit for solution providers and their customers. Technology vendors such as IBM, Cisco Systems and Microsoft offer generous financing terms.

Microsoft, for instance, is rapidly expanding its credit program, providing financing to solution providers that put together deals that need only include one piece of Microsoft product. Microsoft will underwrite more than $1 billion in solution provider sales next year, the company says.