BTIC improves portal access
BT Indirect Channels offers resellers a wider range of resources through bt.com
BT Indirect Channels (BTIC) will give 3,000 resellers access to a wider range of resources through its bt.com portal.
BTIC resellers and distributors will gain access to all resources available online via password-protected access. The company aims to introduce the changes in late September.
The channel now has access to confidential resources including information from Integrator, the company's product bundling strategy.
Katie Gordon-Smith, head of marketing and development at BTIC, said resellers and distributors will have access to BTIC on a daily basis to receive information and support," she said.
"We have decided to harness the knowledge of resellers and distributors and listen to what they have to say. We were limiting this before by offering them limited access only.
"This is all about our commitment to sharing knowledge and growing our four key 'chapters' of voice, ICT, broadband and mobility."
Gordon-Smith added that giving resellers and distributors privileged access was a natural next step. "The improvement in access will enable BTIC to interact with partners on a daily basis," she said.
Maurice Lee, managing director of BTIC reseller Premises, said: "The system itself is quite good, but some of it is password-protected and we cannot get at it. If we get access to more information, it will be good for us."
Despite BTIC's vocal commitment to the channel, Lee said he was concerned about the vendor's creation of BT Local Businesses.
"BT is creating local businesses that are similar to resellers but buy direct. Although they supply only the small-office/home-office market now, it seems only a matter of time before they move into supplying businesses."
But Mark Hollister, director of BTIC, said: "BT Local Businesses are BT's sole direct channel for very small business customers.
"Some of our partners also sell to these same customers. It allows them to choose between a BT outlet or a VAR."