As your business model evolves toward complex, emerging technology solutions, consultative selling and a stronger focus on services, the skills your employees require and the way they apply them must also evolve. In this issue of Channel Advisor, you'll learn how important it is to properly utilize your sales and engineering resources to gain A insights a competitive advantage, create specialization, retain talent and grow your business profitably in a changing IT market. Forget products. Your employees and their skills are your most valuable assets. They're what keep your customers loyal and differentiate you from your competitors, so invest in them with formal performance-development programs, continual training and the highest levels of technical certifications. Then, maximize your investment by deploying them on high-level, high-billable-hour projects instead of basic work with little value-add.

In our cover story, "Set Your Business Free," you'll see how other solution providers set their engineering talent free to focus on more lucrative work, without sacrificing customer service levels. Once they did, these solution providers were on a path to greater profitability.

Not sure how to achieve this goal? Taking advantage of existing resources in the channel, particularly third-party help desks and network operations centers (NOCs) like Ingram Micro's Seismic Global NOC and Help Desk, is the most efficient solution. By partnering with Ingram Micro, you can support more business, leverage economies of scale, serve more markets and technologies, and ultimately grow your business and profits, all without increasing your headcount. And, you can provide your employees with the challenges and development opportunities they need to thrive.

For more information about the support Ingram Micro offers our customers, including Ingram Micro Seismic, the Ingram Micro Services Network and specialized training available through our VPN Dynamics subsidiary, visit ingrammicro.com/seismic or vpndynamics.com.