An interview with Kirsten and Melissa from HP and Nicolas, account manager at Bechtle with a focus on HP.

HP is one of the world's best-known and largest technology companies with a diverse, secure and sustainable product portfolio. Our relationship with HP has been very close from the beginning, which means that our sales departments work closely together and our customers can count on the best products, solutions and support. We are therefore proud to call ourselves "Power Partner of HP". So at Bechtle you are at the right place for tailored advice for your organisation and the most attractive HP benefits.
 

We sat down for a conversation with Kirsten Asselman, our Partner Business Manager for the PC division, and Melissa Santamaria Rodriguez, our Partner Business Manager for the Print division within HP. Our account manager Nicolas also joins in and is happy to talk about the partnership with HP and his role as HP champion within Bechtle. 

How do both HP and Bechtle distinguish themselves as companies?

Kirsten: 

HP aims to be the world's most sustainable and equitable technology company by engaging in climate, human rights and digital equality. Since 2016, our ambitious programme in Haiti has helped tackle the growing problem of ocean-bound plastic (OBP). Since 2016, we have used 1,298 tonnes of OBP in our products - equivalent to more than 102 million (500ml) bottles - to prevent this material from entering waterways and oceans. By 2025, we want zero waste in all of HP's operations. In terms of human rights, we are very committed to a culture of inclusion, social justice and gender equality. In addition, many colleagues around the world volunteer to support organisations for digital equality. 

Finally, we deliver the most secure endpoint devices with our Wolf Security Suite. Depending on the customer's needs, we can greatly extend the security of a device. From the unique HP Endpoint Security Controller as a hardware component (standard on our devices) to extensive additional features and software above, in and below the OS.

Nicolas:

Bechtle is one of the most successful IT service providers in Europe and stands out for its long-term vision. Together with our customers, we want to shape the future and we do this by forging the right partnerships, such as this one with HP. Connected, experienced, entrepreneurial and future-oriented partnerships are what we aim for, in which our green sustainability promises play a major role. 

What is the strength of the partnership between HP and Bechtle? 

Kirsten: 

Bechtle is a respected name and international player with a strong local coverage in the Belgian market.

In our cooperation, they are a committed IT partner, always with a human touch. Like HP, they have the resources and structure of the entire international group as support. Thanks to local colleagues, together we can serve our customers with a professional and personal approach. 

Nicolas:

Indeed, Bechtle has the advantage of being a major international player. We can always call on all the knowledge we have internationally. HP is also an international player, which ensures strong international cooperation across borders.

As a Bechtle Power Service Partner, what does this mean for our customers? What are the benefits for them? 

Kirsten: 

This partner status allows Bechtle to offer the best services to customers from A-Z. 

Melissa:

As a Power Service Partner, Bechtle has access to an optimised contractual portfolio which can only be sold within a Managed Print Services contract. With these Managed Print Services, Bechtle takes the entire printer management out of the customer's hands, relieving them of all their worries. And this by offering complete service, maintenance and automatic dispatch of toners.

Nicolas:

Through this Power Service Partner status, we as Bechtle get the most attractive HP benefits, such as the best product prices, solutions and support. We get product update trainings, so we are the first to know about new products or changes in the range. This allows us to give our customers the best advice.

What does the role of HP Champion entail? 

Kirsten: 

The HP Champion is our go-to person within Bechtle. Nicolas is our eyes and ears in the company, but also passes on all the necessary operational info to colleagues. As a result, we are connected via a short and direct line to the entire sales force within Bechtle. Nicolas also has the most HP Sales Certificates to his name, so he possesses the greatest know-how about the entire HP portfolio. 

Nicolas:

As HP champ, I am the link between HP & Sales on a daily basis. In case of questions about the HP portfolio, partnership developments and business, colleagues and customers can come to me.

Being Bechtle, we have a good partner relationship with several vendors, why the personal preference for HP? 

Nicolas: 

HP is a personal favourite of mine because the company has always been known for innovation, design and being the more premium partner in the market.

What does HP/Bechtle see as key trends for 2023?

Kirsten: 

For HP, there are three key trends for 2023. The first is about hybrid working. 'Hybrid working is here to stay', with our new portfolio we will offer all the tools that allow employees to work efficiently: from peripherals, and in particular our acquisition of Poly, to additional collaboration features on our endpoints. We will also focus on a security report and workforce solutions: everything-as-a-service. 

Nicolas: 

A security trend we unfortunately will not be rid of by 2023: ransomware attacks. Ransomware is expected to cost $265 billion annually by 2031. 
Cloud environments are also becoming a target, with malware and phishing emails being popular methods of attack. Bechtle provides audits of our customers to check for data breaches and openings.