Selecting a business partner for an upgrade

Let's say that, hypothetically, a company is thinking about upgrading their
820 to an 810 and that this company does not have a business partner of
choice.   Let's say that this company is not exactly sure what should go
into the 810 as they are wondering if LPARs on the box and a SAN for data
center might be beneficial.

How would this company select the right business partner to buy the upgrade
from?  The last upgrade was configured over the phone with a partner out of
state.  Perhaps this Chicago area company would prefer to work with a local
business partner.

The pricing for an upgrade is set by IBM and should be the same from all
business partners, correct?  Should this company pick several business
partners out the phone book, ask them for proposals, and then go with
whomever has the best attitude? How much effort should this company expect a
business partner to put into a proposal given that they may need help from
the partner with respect to analyzing LPAR and SAN issues and that they are
soliciting several proposals?


Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
    

Bryan Burns
System Operator
ECHO Incorporated
Lake Zurich, Illinois
847-540-8400