Smartways launches indirect blitz

Online data backup vendor Smartways has told CRN it is on an aggressive recruitment drive to boost its channel sales from 90 per cent to 100 per cent of its business.

Mike Rickards, managing director of Smartways, said: “Smartways is recruiting VAR partners in all verticals and it has a mission to become 100 per cent channel focused by the end of 2008.”
Rickards explained that Smartways is 90 per cent channel orientated at present. Since launching its partner programme in October last year, the vendor has been investing in its management team and is
now looking to increase its partner volume.
“To boost its channel involvement, Smartways is hoping to recruit 100 new UK partners this year,” he said.
The vendor also offers free training for its partners. “As well as one- and two-day training sessions there is an online partner portal that supplies VARs with knowledge and training on sales and technical skills,” said Rickard.
Through Smartways’s TouchPoint online services software the end-user’s data is replicated and sent to another location. Rickards says the more the reseller buys, the higher the saving.
Debbie Oliver, account manager of VAR and Smartways partner Cygnia, said: “Smartways has a good team of people behind it, who are proactive and willing to help Cygnia.”
“Its product range provides Cygnia with lots of opportunities to add value. It also offers onsite sales and technical training and support. It is a good partner for Cygnia.”
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