Samsung VARs go Platinum
Firm awards first Platinum Partner accreditations
Samsung Business Communications - formerly known as Samsung Telecoms - has awarded its first Platinum Partner accreditations to UK VARs Lake Technologies and APR Telecoms.
The vendor introduced the Platinum certification when it overhauled its programme for its 140-strong UK channel a year ago.
Ali Zartash-Lloyd, Samsung sales and marketing director for Europe, said Platinum accreditation partners achieve the highest level of service content, product knowledge, skills and operational effectiveness.
"That includes doing your own maintenance, stocking spares, having a support helpdesk, and fixing 90 per cent of problems first time without Samsung intervention," he said.
Platinum Partners are subject to an audit of operations, as well as a financial assessment of their business. In return they receive bigger discounts, more marketing support and training credits.
Kevin Cliffe joint managing director of Lake Technologies, said the accreditation would act as a differentiator.
"It allows us to sell all of Samsung's enterprise solutions," he said. "Customers might ask themselves if it's worth going with a (non-Platinum) supplier now for basic equipment, when it can't provide voice-over IP equipment in the future, for example."