Salesforce.com's portal to connect the channel
On-demand service provider claims portal will let vendors distribute sales information to partners quickly
Salesforce.com has unveiled an on-demand service aimed at vendors to allow them to both manage and interact with channel partners.
Partnerforce, Salesforce Partner Edition, connects enterprises, channels and partners through the AppExchange online portal. Salesforce.com claimed Partnerforce will allow users to distribute sales and marketing information quickly across a multi-tiered distribution channel.
Chris Boorman, vice-president of EMEA marketing at Salesforce.com, described Partnerforce as a tool that enables vendors to manage every aspect of their sales pipeline.
“Any organisation that has a channel needs to manage it and this service can provide that facility,” he said. “It will help to aid vendors’ recruitment, marketing, sales and partner sales management.”
Marc Benioff, chief executive of Salesforce.com, said in a statement: “Tens of thousands of companies are taking advantage of the benefits and the efficiency of on-demand services. Salesforce Partner Edition is the next incarnation of an on-demand service.”
Partnerforce, which goes live on 12 July priced at £85 per partner per month includes features such as partner lifecycle management and analytics and forecasting tools.
The service also features customisable portals and fully integrated deal registration to reduce channel conflict and increase communication between vendors and their partners.
Dean Darwin, vice-president of channel sales at F5 Networks, said: “Partnerforce creates one virtual salesforce, working from one application, enabling visibility into one integrated pipeline across our direct and indirect channels.”
Bob Tarzey, service director at analyst Quocirca, told CRN that vendor management of the sales process had been poorly managed and that Partnerforce will allow for a more partner-centric management process.
“This is a good opportunity for vendors to manage their sales process and minimise any channel conflict by recognising stages of sales within Partnerforce,” he said. “£85 is a reasonable price for any vendor that wants to manage and maintain its channel effectively.”