Zebra doubles its partner base

Printer vendor grows its herd

Barcode printer and security application vendor Zebra Technologies claims it has doubled its partner base since it launched the PartnersFirst scheme almost three years ago.

Launched in April 2006, PartnersFirst was recently given a facelift as the programme was extended to include the vendor’s card specialist strand. The previously separate card printing division included card printing hardware, services and supplies.

Rebecca Brookes, channel marketing manager at Zebra Technologies, said: “We have developed our partner network significantly, and we strongly believe this is because companies in the channel understand the benefits of joining a programme that will offer them the support required to stay ahead of the competition.”

Last year also saw Zebra offer its partners heavy discounts on its labels and ribbons, in a bid to grab market share from third-party consumables vendors.

Ian Fearns, managing director of Zebra partner Bar Code Data, said: “Offering benefits such as direct communication with Zebra, sales and marketing tools, as well as product and technical training, we feel we have the right support to strengthen our position and expand our presence with our customers.”

Brookes added: “We look forward to further developing the programme in 2009, when we will be extending PartnersFirst to areas such as product and sales training programmes, demo programmes and co-operative marketing support.

“We are keen to reward and support our specialist partners, which is why we invest time and money in making sure we offer a programme to help them expand their businesses."