SSA hunts for niches in SME market

Business software vendor to extend vertical market reach in the UK

Business software vendor SSA Global Technologies (SSA GT) is looking to extend its vertical market reach in the UK by taking on small, specialist resellers.

The firm, which specialises in ERP software, already works with one large reseller in the UK, DCS eIntegration, but hopes to penetrate the SME space further.

Brian Kite, vice-president of channel strategy at SSA GT, said: "We do not intend to increase the number of large resellers in the UK, but we are planning to take on small niche channel partners to resell specific software in the SME space."

Kite said the firm is working towards a formal certification, which it hopes will be in place by the end of the year, to replace its current training programme.

"We see the channel as a way to offer customers consistent levels of service and support, regardless of which geographic region they operate in. We take the appointment of new channel partners very seriously as they act as our representatives with new customers," he said.

David Maskrey, general manager at DCS eIntegration, said the firm has been a SSA GT partner for 10 years, specialising in its Business Planning and Control Software (BPCS).

"As an IBM Premier Partner for hardware and software, we have been able to leverage our expertise in IBM iSeries technology to deliver solutions to BPCS customers through our relationship with SSA GT," he said.

"SSA GT's product strategy for BPCS revolves around the iSeries platform, and is complementary with DCS' own positioning and strategy."