GE Access, Sun Executives See Bright Future

GE Access

GE Access' security, storage and networking practices each grew by "mid-double-digits" during the first half of the year. But most encouraging was the number of large orders placed with the Boulder, Colo.-based distributor, said Michael Minard, executive vice president of GE Access.

Quoting activity is as strong as it was last year, but more quotes are turning into orders, Minard said.

"We're starting to see some major enterprise deals come through. Enterprise is slowly waking up; that's a very good harbinger. I also expect lot of activity in government this quarter, especially in an election year," Minard said.

The Sun Microsystems channel was down more than 30 percent for most of 2001, sources said, and companies had to lay off employees, close offices and consolidate operations. That appears to be over, said John Paget, president and CEO of GE Access.

"Congratulations, everyone in this room is a survivor," Paget told about 300 solution providers during a keynote address here. "My gut tells me we're through the worst. Don't let the gloom and doom fool you. I think you'll see fewer surprises on the downside of second-quarter earnings. Now is the time to start rebuilding."

Gary Grimes, vice president of partner management and sales operations for Sun Microsystems, said Sun owed GE Access and solution providers a "great big thank you" for the first half.

"GE Access had a great quarter, and they don't normally buy from [existing inventory, [they buy when an order is placed, so that means partners probably also had a strong quarter," Grimes said.