Netgear schools its channel

Networking vendor launches package of sweeteners for VARs to lure in education customers

Netgear says schools are facing budgetary constraints

Networking vendor Netgear has unveiled a range of new initiatives aimed at building its presence in the education channel.

In response to the budget squeeze experienced by the sector, Netgear is offering education customers a five per cent discount and a free networking site survey via its resellers.

A third sweetener is being offered in the form of warranty support. Schools and other educational establishments will be provided with a lifetime warranty on Netgear’s ProSafe products and a five-year warranty on its ReadyNAS Business products.

Netgear recently inked a partnership with education-focused VAR Stone Group and is on the hunt for more resellers in the sector. It claims a third of its channel partners already serve the market.

Neill Hammond, Netgear’s UK and Ireland VAR channel manager, said: “Netgear understands the economy impacts education establishments as it would any other organisation.

“With an average of 70 percent of our free networking site surveys converting to sales of Netgear products, we can help improve business for both our partners and their customers.”