SGI Earns Top Partner Programs Ranking for the Third Year in a Row -- Silicon Graphics was recognized today by VARBusiness magazine as one of North America's top computer hardware vendors in terms of the breath and depth of channel partner program element offerings it provides to the solution providers (SP) of its products. For the third consecutive year, SGI received the coveted Five-Star Rating, the highest possible, reflecting the robustness of its channel partnering programs. The Five-Star Rating was awarded to SGI in four technology categories: systems, storage, peripherals, and software -- a new category win for SGI this year. In the same issue, VARBusiness named Nancy Pierce, director, North America Channel Sales and Marketing at SGI, as one of "The Top 100 Executives," in an article subtitled "a who's who of the women and men minding the channels." Winning top honors reflects SGI's continued commitment to its Solution Providers: Of the more than 280 vendor program entries reviewed in six categories, 120 entries (87 individual companies) received the coveted five-star rating in the magazine's tenth annual Partner Programs Guide survey. The Partner Program Guide appears in the March 15, 2004 issue of VARBusiness. Robert C. DeMarzo, VARBusiness editorial director, notes that the solution providers through which SGI channels its products are critical to providing the proper strategies and solutions to corporations and institutions. "Through their expertise, solution providers add value to SGI products, ensuring proper, cost-effective implementation of technologies needed to drive business forward," he added. "SGI is extremely gratified to earn VARBusiness magazine's prestigious 5-star rating for the third year. We believe it illustrates our continued commitment to the channel in providing strong differentiated solutions for them to sell with significant opportunity to grow top line revenue and gross margins. SGI's channel is a key component to our success as a business now and in the future," said Nancy Pierce, director, North America Channel Sales and Marketing at SGI. "Channel partners are building momentum for SGI products and services in the U.S. and globally. Over the last year they have been especially excited by the high-speed SGI InfiniteStorage solution and high-end Linux OS-based offerings of the SGI Altix 3000 family, a powerful open source computing environment that is enjoying great success in our target markets. Our goal is to provide industry-leading tools to drive revenue. Gaining significant interest of our solution providers are the InfiniteStorage Solution Provider program, Federal Opportunity Registration (FOR) program and Marketing Co-investment programs which, enable our Solution Providers to meet their customers' requirements." The VARBusiness' "Top 100 Execs" article noted, "Pierce came to SGI in September 2000 from Intergraph Computer Systems. With more than 15 years of technology-channel experience, she has been instrumental in building SGI's partner program." Asked her top priority for 2004, Pierce listed, "To increase channel business revenue in SGI's core competencies, and to maintain and grow the company's visualization solutions business." For her top challenge for 2004, Pierce stated, "Growing high-potential channel partners to support those business initiatives and position SGI for strong revenue growth in fiscal year 2005." To determine the most robust vendor-partner programs and to determine those with a 5-star ranking VARBusiness invited IT vendors to submit their descriptions of their channel partner programs between November 2003 and January 2004. The programs were scored on breath and depth of program elements within each program. Results were tabulated by Answers Research, a Solana Beach, Calif.-based market research and consulting firm. After submitting information about the Channel Program, VARBusiness interviewed SGI Solution Providers to determine how well SGI meets their needs. Their responses were proof positive that SGI has built a responsive and forward-thinking Channel Program. For more information about SGI(R) products, services and solutions or to locate an authorized SGI Solution Provider near you, visit www.sgi.com.