Toshiba partners appreciate Freedom
Notebook vendor's mobility channel programme goes down well
Notebook vendor Toshiba is claiming success for the first six months of its mobility channel programme.
In May, Toshiba launched its Freedom Partner Programme aimed at the SME mobility space, claiming it would offer resellers more support, better access to information and improved communication.
Andy Bass, director and general manager Toshiba Computer Systems Division UK, said: "We have spent six months reorganising our business and talking to partners and we have strengthened our position. Partners have noticed a more stable and sustained commitment."
Bass added that the vendor has seen increased business from Hewlett-Packard (HP) partners.
"We believe that the HP honeymoon is over and the marriage has started, but we have worked hard on making it more profitable for resellers to come to us," he said.
"We intend to carry on the good work we are doing and bring more solutions to market to help our partners increase revenue."
The change in Toshiba's attitude has been well received by partners.
Chris Day, new business team leader at Basilica, said: "Toshiba is without a doubt better. It is listening to partners more. The fact that it is helping and understanding the channel more makes both the company and us more competitive."
Gary Fowle, commercial director at Computer 2000, said: "Toshiba has come on really well and has been through a lot of consultation with the channel.
"It has delivered on a lot of areas that partners gave it feedback on. Our levels of business with Toshiba have grown well and we are generally really pleased with what it has done. There is more flexibility and understanding of what resellers and distributors need."