US giant scours the great plains for Vars

Great Plains, a US accountancy software manufacturer, is backing the launch of its UK subsidiary with a reseller recruitment drive for its Windows package Dynamics.

The vendor, which last week bought back UK distribution rights for its software from Kewill, is hunting for another 25 resellers to add to its existing 20-strong base.

Prospective Vars are expected to pass a formal training and examination programme to gain accreditation. In return, resellers will benefit from a clutch of significant marketing programmes, according to Neal Robertson, Great Plains UK managing director, who said it was too early to reveal details.

Dynamics big USP is built on its Windows and open database technology, which is designed from the bottom-up as a client/server product. Most Windows accountancy software products are Dos or Unix code ports.

John Tate, managing director of Tate Bramald, a Great Plains reseller, hailed the vendor's UK debut. 'We are ready to make a substantial commitment to Dynamics, which we were unwilling to do while it was in Kewill's hands.

'Kewill did a good job in building a support infrastructure, but it was not proactive in marketing. Neal will give the marketing a right old kick up the backside.'