FutureLink Finds Insight in the Channel

FutureLink Corp. (Nasdaq: FTRL), a leading provider of software integration solutions, hosted application services and one of the first application infrastructure companies to provide software as a service, Tuesday (Jan 9) announced a strategic partnership with Insight (Nasdaq: NSIT), a leading global direct sales and marketer of brand name computers, hardware and software.

Under the agreement, Insight will offer FutureLink Office, the hosted Microsoft Office suite of products and services, directly to end users via the ASP delivery model. Also under the agreement, Insight will develop, host and maintain co-branded web pages for FutureLink customers, creating a one-stop-shop to purchase essential business products. At the same time, Insight becomes the first global marketing company to offer software to its customers via ASP delivery.

“FutureLink hopes to provide Insight’s customer base with a cost-effective alternative to their current IT offering. Partnering with Insight to give business owners the freedom to focus on their core competency as a result of outsourcing infrastructure requirements not only yields cost savings, but also access to their applications 24×7, 365 days a year,” said Howard Taylor, CEO and president of FutureLink. “By recommending Insight as a preferred source for purchasing computer hardware and software, FutureLink customers are guaranteed fair pricing along with a high standard of customer service – two factors important to any business owner,” he added.

The program will kick off with an intense training initiative conducted by FutureLink engineers. Once completed, Insight will begin a detailed sales analysis to track the types of customers purchasing ASP services in hopes of shedding light on the future of the industry.

FutureLink’s customers will have direct access to more than 110,000 brand name products and services, from notebooks to servers to software. By delivering directly to the end user, its customers can choose from reputable vendors, compare prices and make educated procurement decisions. Using an account number and pass code, customers can place a new order, select shipping cost and delivery date and check the status of an existing order. A dedicated, toll-free telephone number at Insight will handle FutureLink phone inquiries.

“Every day thousands of businesses come to Insight for high tech products,” said Michael Gumbert, president of Insight. “We recognize that the ASP delivery model is a growing option for businesses both large and small, and Insight is pleased to partner with FutureLink to offer FutureLink Office.”

Insight Enterprises Inc., a Fortune 1000 company, is a holding company composed of three operating units. Insight Direct Worldwide, Inc.is a leading global direct marketer of computers, hardware and software, primarily to businesses in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany. PlusNet Technologies, Ltd., a 95-percent-owned subsidiary of Insight Direct Worldwide, is an ISP and ASP within the UK, working with residential, small- and medium-sized business and corporate customers. Direct Alliance Corporation (DAC) is a global outsourcing provider of direct marketing and web marketing, sales and transactional management services for traditional and e-commerce companies.