By Charlene O'Hanlon

CHANNEL PARTNERS Vantage Technologies has named a technology industry veteran to lead its formal channel efforts in a newly created position. The announcement was made at the 2010 Channel Partners Expo and Conference, being held this week in Washington, D.C.

Harry Barfoot, the companys VP of Marketing, has been named the companys first VP of Channels. The new position formalizes a channel strategy for the company as it strives to expand the reach of its technology and increase its profitability.

Barfoot is a seven-year veteran of Vantage Technologies who has also worked at IBM and other technology companies in various sales, marketing, and management positions. As VP of channels, he will lead a strategy to build and execute and indirect sales model that will help Vantage move beyond its current sales boundaries. The company currently works with channel partners within its myriad business units, but has not had a comprehensive channel program. Barfoots promotion into the new position signals that the company is formalizing its channel relationships and go-to-market strategy.

Harrys focus on the development and execution of a comprehensive channel program will greatly assist us in meeting our business objectives,” said Robert Phelan, president of Vantage Communications, a business unit of Vantage Technologies offering communications and data services utilizing a SaaS model. We currently have partners offering Vantage IP services providing unified communications for small and mid-sized businesses. Weve seen the tremendous value partners bring to our business.”

Vantage Communications, which offers voice and data services, works with partners the company calls Vantage Solutions Providers (VSPs). The development of an overarching channel program, Phelan said, will provide improved and expanded service offerings to VSPs. All Vantage Solutions Providers will see both expanded services and support [as well as] new cutting-edge solutions to offer their customers,” he said.

Pushing forth solid channel strategies, solidifying existing relationships, building new relationships and developing a partner ecosystem for Vantage is a very exciting opportunity for me,” Barfoot said. We have exciting new productivity tools we can offer with excellent recurring revenue opportunities for partners, such as the Vantage Contact Center, Vantage CRM and a powerful business intelligence tool, iSEEK Supercruncher. Weve listened to customers tell us that they need tools that unify communications and decision-making thru data analytics. We are excited to offer these industry-leading solutions through our partners, and look forward to assisting them grow their businesses.”

Vantages other business units are Vantage Learning, McCann Associates, Vantage Linguistics and iSEEK Enterprises.