Well, with most vendors, we work directly. Thats because we buy several thousand racks per year. When it comes to network gear etc. i usually have our distributor setup meetings with vendors and then go through a eval process.
Our distributor is great in taking a lot of burdens of our shoulders. It's
B2B Computer Products, LLC
313 South Rohlwing Road
Addison, IL 60101
The best guy there is:
Taylor Grove
B2B Computer Products
Senior Account Manager
ph: 630.396.6305 | fax: 630-396-6322
email:
TGrove@b2bcomp.com
Tell him, the german said hi and to treat you well...
For generators etc, you can talk directly to manufacturers. Sometimes the lead times can be a killer.
Then Brokers can be a big help.
As a example:
John Seaward
Diesel Service & Supply, Inc.
755 N. 9 Ave.
Brighton, Co. 80603
Phone 303-558-8405
Toll Free 800-853-2073
Fax 303-659-7923
http://www.dieselserviceandsupply.com
You can even get ahold of him after hours.