Belkin launches partner programme

Connectivity vendor goes three tier

Belkin claims its partner programme will make it easier for its channel to sell and provide support for its products

Connectivity vendor Belkin has launched a formal partner programme, designed to make it easier for its channel to sell and provide support for its products.

It comprises three tiers: Select, Preferred and Premium. All Belkin resellers are eligible for the Select tier, which provides a personalised portal, sales and product training materials and access to product release information.

Via a personalised portal, partners gain direct access to training materials, product bulletins and sales presentations and dedicated account management.

To achieve Preferred and Premium status, Belkin assesses the partner on loyalty before deciding whether they are eligible for the higher tiers. Added benefits will include sales tracking, access to the Belkin Message Centre, bid desk support, corporate events, rebates and on-site training.

Alan Colley, business unit manager at Belkin, said: “The businesses which promote and sell our products to the end user are critical to our success and therefore providing the highest possible level of support will not only enhance our relationships with these key partners, but also help to grow profitability both for their businesses and ours.”

After conducting a survey of 133 resellers, Belkin found that VARs most value pre- and post-sales support in a channel programme, even above rebates, incentives and larger margins.

Jon Rogers, sales and marketing director for UK commercial and EMEA OEM at Belkin, said: “In the UK Belkin traded with more than 2,000 resellers last year alone. The new Partner Programme is an effective mechanism for allowing us to engage with all our resellers and ensure we deliver the best possible value and support.”