3M Digital Signage launches first official partner programme
Vendor's Preferred Affiliate Programme is set to formalise existing VAR relationships
Digital signage software vendor 3M Digital Signage has launched its first official partner programme since it entered the UK market in April (CRN, 9 May).
Reseller MediaZest was appointed as 3M’s first UK channel partner in April. Since then the vendor has been working with eight or nine other VARs.
Simon Birkenhead, sales and marketing manager at 3M, told CRN: “We have worked with VARs on an informal basis and the launch of our Preferred Affiliate Programme (PAP) formalises these relationships. I’m also keen to sign up new resellers, not in huge volumes though because we want expertise rather than numbers.
“Many of the organisations that want to incorporate 3M software into a digital signage solution are not able to provide the full service offering that customers require. Therefore, we have developed a three-tier approach for PAP that allows organisations of all capabilities to benefit from a relationship with 3M.”
3M’s Tier 1 Certified Value-Added Reseller is the highest level of VAR status reserved for organisations that are able to offer complete digital signage solutions. Tier 2 Reseller status is available to audiovisual and IT VARs, and system integrators that want to buy 3M Digital Signage products, but are unable to meet the requirements of Tier 1 status. Tier 3 Business Affiliates are organisations that can provide an element of the digital signage solution unrelated to technology, such as creative, design or media agencies.
Sean Reel, chief executive of MediaZest, said: “We are a kind of one-stop shop to retailers for digital signage solutions. The introduction of a formal partner programme from 3M is good news because clients want an integrated so lution. Being a partner of 3M means we can prove we have got the support and backup from a large organisation such as 3M, which reassures clients.”
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