Partner Program Updates: Zoom, Windstream Launch Major Changes
Master agents were on the move in March with new supplier partnerships.
Zoom launched a master agent referral partner program and Windstream rolled out a new partner portal.
The partner-program changes we covered last month ranged from long-anticipated to ad hoc. VMware, for example, has been teasing its program update since last year. Other companies announced special partner promotions to help them handle the recent influx of remote workers.
What else did you miss in March? Telia Carrier claimed to have “no channel conflict” in its new channel program. AppSmart signed a deal that will help partners make more informed technology recommendations for customers. And Telarus and Sonic joined forces on a supplier agreement that gives Telarus agents more internet and hosted voice services to sell.
But that’s not nearly all. We’ve assembled 13 of the most interesting partner program launches and updates, so scroll through the images below to stay abreast of the channel’s latest happenings.
Miss our February channel program changes gallery? If so, you can find it here!
Windstream
Windstream Enterprise introduced a new partner portal.
The portal allows partners to access renewal offers and find marketing resources. Partners can also find network analytics and other customer support features. Windstream's channel chief and head of strategic channels said the update reflects how some partners are adapting from a legacy business mindset to an "MSP play."
"As a result we’ve built a portal by partners and for partners which we’re very proud of, in order to be a single pane of glass and experience for them and the support for their clients,” he said.
Edward Gately has the scoop.
Windstream Enterprise introduced a new partner portal.
The portal allows partners to access renewal offers and find marketing resources. Partners can also find network analytics and other customer support features. Windstream's channel chief and head of strategic channels said the update reflects how some partners are adapting from a legacy business mindset to an "MSP play."
"As a result we’ve built a portal by partners and for partners which we’re very proud of, in order to be a single pane of glass and experience for them and the support for their clients,” he said.
Edward Gately has the scoop.
Zoom
Zoom Video Communications is allowing its partners to sell the Zoom Phone.
Several master agents and distributors, including Intelisys and Pax8, are in the new referal program. They'll be able to represent Zoom's full portfolio and earn perpetual commission through the Zoom customer life cycle.
Zoom's head of global business development and channel said Zoom Phone previously went to market on a mainly direct basis. See who's in Zoom's new program.
Zoom Video Communications is allowing its partners to sell the Zoom Phone.
Several master agents and distributors, including Intelisys and Pax8, are in the new referal program. They'll be able to represent Zoom's full portfolio and earn perpetual commission through the Zoom customer life cycle.
Zoom's head of global business development and channel said Zoom Phone previously went to market on a mainly direct basis. See who's in Zoom's new program.
Telarus
The Utah-based master agent signed multiple new partners in March.
One is the fiber-optic telecommunications provider Sonic, which a Telarus executive described as potentially "the most competitively priced gigabit fiber solution in the country."
Telarus also joined Zoom's new referral program and tapped Renaissance Systems to be its exclusive ConnexiCore distributor. And the master agent became the exclusive distributor for a cloud workspace provider.
Read more about Telarus' lineup of announcements.
The Utah-based master agent signed multiple new partners in March.
One is the fiber-optic telecommunications provider Sonic, which a Telarus executive described as potentially "the most competitively priced gigabit fiber solution in the country."
Telarus also joined Zoom's new referral program and tapped Renaissance Systems to be its exclusive ConnexiCore distributor. And the master agent became the exclusive distributor for a cloud workspace provider.
Read more about Telarus' lineup of announcements.
Intelisys
The California-based master agent poured new educational resources into its program to help subagents act safely and smartly during the COVID-19 crisis.
The company, which is owned by distributor ScanSource, offered up information on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and other recent regulations. Intelisys also launched a special program that focuses on remote workforce products and services.
We covered Intelisys as part of a larger recap of how master agents dealt with the coronavirus fallout.
The California-based master agent poured new educational resources into its program to help subagents act safely and smartly during the COVID-19 crisis.
The company, which is owned by distributor ScanSource, offered up information on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and other recent regulations. Intelisys also launched a special program that focuses on remote workforce products and services.
We covered Intelisys as part of a larger recap of how master agents dealt with the coronavirus fallout.
AppSmart
The B2B marketplace enhanced its vendor selection process with a new partnership.
AppSmart teamed up with G2.com in order to attach objective reviews to its suppliers' products. This feature reportedly was highly requested from partners.
Learn more about the impact the partnership will have.
The B2B marketplace enhanced its vendor selection process with a new partnership.
AppSmart teamed up with G2.com in order to attach objective reviews to its suppliers' products. This feature reportedly was highly requested from partners.
Learn more about the impact the partnership will have.
Consolidated Communications
The broadband and business communications provider updated its agent program.
The newly christened Partner One organization increases its incentives and benefits. It includes a full-service portal that provides relationship management. Consolidated has also launched a performance-based recognition program.
Get details on the refreshed partner program.
The broadband and business communications provider updated its agent program.
The newly christened Partner One organization increases its incentives and benefits. It includes a full-service portal that provides relationship management. Consolidated has also launched a performance-based recognition program.
Get details on the refreshed partner program.
Ribbon
Ribbon Communications involved partners in multiple COVID-19-related initiatives.
The vendor gave select partners free licenses of its Smart Office Collaboration Room solution to sell through the end of June. Partners have the option of using the tools internally.
All this happened as Ribbon adjusted to a new CEO and a completed its acquisition of ECI Telecom.
Read the update we got from Ribbon.
Ribbon Communications involved partners in multiple COVID-19-related initiatives.
The vendor gave select partners free licenses of its Smart Office Collaboration Room solution to sell through the end of June. Partners have the option of using the tools internally.
All this happened as Ribbon adjusted to a new CEO and a completed its acquisition of ECI Telecom.
Read the update we got from Ribbon.
Sprint
Sprint Business expanded its channel reach by teaming up with a master agent.
The carrier announced a partnership with Arizona-based PlanetOneCommunications. According to PlanetOne, the master agent was the first of its kind to partner with Sprint Business.
“It is a great honor to be the first master agent selected to join the Sprint Partner Program in Sprint’s new round of partner growth," PlanetOne CEO Ted Schuman said.
Learn how the two companies will complement each other in a partnership.
Sprint Business expanded its channel reach by teaming up with a master agent.
The carrier announced a partnership with Arizona-based PlanetOneCommunications. According to PlanetOne, the master agent was the first of its kind to partner with Sprint Business.
“It is a great honor to be the first master agent selected to join the Sprint Partner Program in Sprint’s new round of partner growth," PlanetOne CEO Ted Schuman said.
Learn how the two companies will complement each other in a partnership.
Telia Carrier
The Sweden-based carrier boasted no channel conflict in its new program.
The program places master agents alongside an account director to ensure that direct sales doesn't clash with their plans. The program includes portals for both partners and their customers.
“The key to our high-growth expectations will be the effective development of our channel partner program,” Telia Carrier’s head of channel sales said.
Learn more about Telia's new channel program.
The Sweden-based carrier boasted no channel conflict in its new program.
The program places master agents alongside an account director to ensure that direct sales doesn't clash with their plans. The program includes portals for both partners and their customers.
“The key to our high-growth expectations will be the effective development of our channel partner program,” Telia Carrier’s head of channel sales said.
Learn more about Telia's new channel program.
VMware
VMware revamped its partner program.
The Partner Connect program features a single agreement that caters to cloud, service, reselling or all three. It has a portal for incentives and development funds.
Approximately 32,000 partners were already working with VMware at the time of the program launch.
Read about VMware's news.
VMware revamped its partner program.
The Partner Connect program features a single agreement that caters to cloud, service, reselling or all three. It has a portal for incentives and development funds.
Approximately 32,000 partners were already working with VMware at the time of the program launch.
Read about VMware's news.
Facilis
Facilis Global is promoting "mass deployment" of its Mybys solutions through channel partners.
Facilis, which provides meeting software, hopes to recruit resellers to its new program. The company hired a vice president of partnerships, who brings experiences building B2B reseller channels.
Learn more about the new program.
Facilis Global is promoting "mass deployment" of its Mybys solutions through channel partners.
Facilis, which provides meeting software, hopes to recruit resellers to its new program. The company hired a vice president of partnerships, who brings experiences building B2B reseller channels.
Learn more about the new program.
Samsung
Samsung Electronics America consolidated two partner programs.
The company's mobile, display and solid state drive (SSD) now are under the same channel umbrella, known as the Ascend Partner Program. Executives said B2B is growing in relation to Samsung's overall business. An analyst called the announcement an indication that vendor views the channel as key to scaling.
Check out the story on Channel Futures.
Samsung Electronics America consolidated two partner programs.
The company's mobile, display and solid state drive (SSD) now are under the same channel umbrella, known as the Ascend Partner Program. Executives said B2B is growing in relation to Samsung's overall business. An analyst called the announcement an indication that vendor views the channel as key to scaling.
Check out the story on Channel Futures.
Teradici
The PC-over-IP provider announced a new program.
MSPs, ISVs, SIs and manufacturers can take advantage of the Teradici Advantage Partner Program (TAPP) to integrate the company's software into their offerings. At the time of the story, five partners were set to join.
Jeffrey Schwartz wrote about Teradici for Channel Futures.
The PC-over-IP provider announced a new program.
MSPs, ISVs, SIs and manufacturers can take advantage of the Teradici Advantage Partner Program (TAPP) to integrate the company's software into their offerings. At the time of the story, five partners were set to join.
Jeffrey Schwartz wrote about Teradici for Channel Futures.
