First Distribution, South Africa's leading distributor for data centre, enterprise and cloud solutions, today announced it was named winner of an IBM Choice Award for Growth and Transformation, Middle East and Africa.

Announced at the IBM PartnerWorld Leadership Conference, in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, IBM's Choice Awards recognise a select number of IBM Business Partners which have demonstrated business excellence in delivering IBM-based solutions resulting in exceptional client experience and business growth.

The IBM Business Partners which win Choice awards exhibit IBM values in all client interactions and achieve common business goals, resulting in superior customer satisfaction and mutually significant business impact. The Choice Awards are selected by IBM leadership in each geography and are given to business partners across a range of categories, recognising their working relationships with clients and demonstrated skills in selling IBM solutions.

"The IBM Choice Awards honour business partners from each geography who have upheld a firm dedication to client satisfaction in delivering IBM-based solutions," said Marc Dupaquier, general manager, IBM Global Business Partners. "We're thrilled to honour First Distribution for serving as a trusted advisor to our clients while continuing to drive business growth."

"First Distribution is very proud to have won such a prestigious award from IBM," said Debbie Abrahall, managing director at First Distribution. "As distributors of market-leading technologies that enable us to deliver exceptional client value through our commitment to innovation, we believe we're able to successfully drive IBM transformation strategy through the channel, and this award is recognition of that."

To learn more about IBM PartnerWorld, a comprehensive programme that offers marketing and sales resources, training, certifications, and technical support to help create new revenue and market opportunities for IBM Business Partners, visit http://www.ibm.com/partnerworld. For more information about all of the IBM Choice Awards winners, please visit the IBM PartnerWorld Web site: www.ibm.com/partnerworld/beacons.