CA Enhances Enterprise Solution Provider Program to Help High-End Chan

ISLANDIA, N.Y., Jan. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Computer Associates International, Inc. today introduced a significantly enhanced Enterprise Solution Provider (ESP) program that enables high-end VARs, consultants and solution providers to grow revenues and deliver greater value to their customers.

The program provides ESPs with expanded worldwide sales and technical training across seven distinct CA solution sets: network and systems management; identity and access management; security information management; storage management; data availability; desktop and server management; and service management. Additional program enhancements include:

* Pre-qualified sales lead referrals supported by a dedicated ESP program team. * 24x7 technical support by CA-certified engineers. * Best implementation practices designed specifically to encourage and support the success of ESPs. * A dedicated field-based Partner Advocate Manager to help create comprehensive business plans, marketing and sales initiatives.

"CA's enhanced ESP program clearly demonstrates that it is serious about growing its partner business," said Gary Shottes, vice president of marketing and business development at Amherst Technologies, a leading provider of networking infrastructure, business optimization and enterprise technology solutions. "The new training offerings are exactly what we need to effectively sell and support CA's broad range of sophisticated IT management technologies."

Designed specifically for ESPs, the expanded training curriculum includes: * Online Sales Foundation Training and Certification - provides pre-sales staff with the basic understanding of sales-related information about CA solutions. * Instructor-led Technical Foundation Training and Certification - increases ability to identify opportunities and provide "proof of concepts" between CA technology and customer needs. * Instructor-led Technical Advanced Training and Certification - enables ESP post-sales teams to deliver high-quality implementations and services.

ESPs in North America can also take advantage of an expanded Value Added Distributor network - which includes Access Distribution, Arrow Electronics and Avnet Partner Solutions. CA is also offering those ESPs an enhanced rebate program based on individualized marketing and sales goals, and an innovative deal registration program that ensures ESPs receive compensation after the closing of pre-approved transactions that they initiate.

"CA's management solutions uniquely address the growing technology management challenges faced by enterprise customers wrestling with increasingly complex IT environments and increasingly constrained IT budgets," said Gary Quinn, executive vice president of partner advocacy at CA. "By providing our ESPs with enhanced training, support and sales assistance they need, we are helping them to pinpoint and capitalize on the lucrative market opportunities presented by these growing challenges."

For more information on CA's Enterprise Solution Provider program, please visit http://ca.com/partners/esp/.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20021111/CALOGO ) About CA

Computer Associates International, Inc. , the world's largest management software company, delivers software and services across operations, security, storage, life cycle and service management to optimize the performance, reliability and efficiency of enterprise IT environments. Founded in 1976, CA is headquartered in Islandia, N.Y. and serves customers in more than 140 countries. For more information, please visit http://ca.com/.

Computer Associates International, Inc. One Computer Associates Plaza, Islandia, N.Y. 11749. All trademarks, trade names, service marks, and logos referenced herein belong to their respective companies.