Enterprise Technology FAQ

An IBM reseller is a company authorized by IBM to sell IBM products and services. IBM resellers range from large national solution providers to regional specialists focused on specific IBM product lines like IBM Power Systems or IBM i. IBM's formal program is called the IBM Business Partner program, with tiers including Business Partner, Gold, and Platinum based on technical expertise and revenue commitments.

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You can find IBM Power support providers through IBM's Business Partner locator or through independent directories like BigTech Reseller. When searching, look for IBM Business Partners with specific IBM Power or IBM i specialization, not just general IBM partner status. Ask about their experience with your specific IBM Power model and IBM i version, and confirm they have IBM i-certified engineers on staff.

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Yes. The AS400 platform is now called IBM Power Systems running IBM i, and IBM actively develops and supports it. IBM i 7.5 is the current release. IBM Power10 is the current hardware generation. IBM has committed to long-term roadmap support for IBM i, and the installed base remains large across manufacturing, distribution, and financial services. Finding IBM i support is more about finding specialized resellers with IBM i expertise than platform availability.

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A VAR (value-added reseller) typically sells you technology products plus implementation services for a specific project. An MSP (managed service provider) manages your technology on an ongoing basis under a monthly subscription model. Some companies are both: they sell and implement technology (VAR function) and then manage it long-term (MSP function). For enterprise buyers, the distinction matters for contract structure, ongoing cost, and where day-to-day IT responsibility sits.

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