Aladdin Knowledge Systems woos channel with free training offer

Vendor unveils plan to sign five or six Silver level channel partners with free accreditation incentive scheme

Security software vendor Aladdin Knowledge Systems is offering VARs free accreditation training as it looks to swell its channel ranks.

The firm, which specialises in software digital rights management and USB-based authentication software, is offering the free one-day intensive courses for its eSafe software, and its eToken strong authentication and password management systems.

Lee Mepsted, UK channel manager at Aladdin, told CRN: “We are looking to build our partner base, but it is difficult to charge for technology certification because partners have to make an investment before they can start selling our products.”

The courses will include technical overviews, demonstrations, question and answer sessions with senior Aladdin technical trainers, practical implementation scenarios and knowledge evaluation and testing sessions.

Mepsted said the vendor has three levels of partner: Silver, Gold and Platinum. The training will allow more partners to attain Silver level status, and will encourage new partners to join.

“We believe that if a partner truly understands a product, it is a lot easier to sell,” he said. The vendor is hoping to sign another five or six Silver partners by the time the scheme ends in December, Mepsted added.

Once the scheme has finished, responsibility for training will be handed back to Aladdin’s distributor InTechnology.

Reseller Omniplexwas one of the first firms to send staff to a pilot course back in May.

Mark Watkin, sales manager at Omniplex, said: “Having experts on hand to answer obscure questions was a major benefit compared to the webinar training we have been offered by other vendors.”

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