Plasmon prepares to launch reseller Raid

Data storage vendor Plasmon has launched its first channel partner recruitment campaign since its £3.4m acquisition of Raidtec in April 2004.

Operation Raid is designed to both re-launch the Raidtec product line into the European storage channel, as well as recruit new resellers to Plasmon.

The campaign will be rolled out in a selection of European countries, including the UK, and consists of letters designed to feel as though they have come from the CIA.

Paul Devine, EMEA Raidtec solutions sales director at Plasmon, said: “Our primary objective with this campaign is to get in front of as many resellers as possible. The letters looks like an intelligence report from the CIA and we are targeting both existing Raidtec resellers, as well as new ones.”

Devine added that because all Raidtec’s products are manufactured in Europe, Plasmon can offer partners high levels of sales, marketing and technical support.

VARs that register their details on Plasmon’s web site will also become eligible to receive 20 per cent off their first order and a “select number” of partners will also qualify for Elite reseller status, which provides eligible partners with a special package of sales, marketing and technical support from Plasmon.

Aidan Sloyan, group enterprise sales manager at Plasmon distributor CMS Peripherals, said Plasmon has spent time since its Raidtec acquisition getting its products and message right. He claimed that this would translate well into the channel.

“It’s always positive when a vendor tries to create their own demand and then brings that demand back through its channel. Raidtec products do border on the enterprise market, so new VARs attracted by this promotion could use this opportunity to make the jump into that market,” he said.

james_sherwood@vnu.co.uk