E-know.net on look-out for proactive resellers
Hosted services provider's scheme coincides with the launch of a new division concentrationg on email, messaging and collaborative solutions
Hosted services provider e-know.net has relaunched its partner programme to attract more proactive VARs working in specific vertical markets.
The programme will operate with three levels of partners: introducer, reseller and white-labelled reseller.
The scheme coincides with the launch of a new division in e-know.net, concentrating on email, messaging and collaborative solutions. It follows e-know.net’s accreditation as a Microsoft Gold Partner in April this year.
Stephen Horne, sales manager at e-Know, said: “Previously, we had a channel partner programme that was focused on us handing out business to our resellers. However, we want a programme with partners who can add value and go out there and win business without having to rely on us for leads.”
Horne added that e-know.net wants a mix of dedicated resellers and introducers that will refer a customer to the firm and receive a commission.
“We have about 20 to 30 VARs and introducers,” he said. “We want about six true resellers. We have not put a figure on the amount of introducers we are looking for. We want vertical VARs in professional services, such as legal, and other verticals such as logistics. Basically, firms that need IT solutions, but may not have a large IT department.”
Horne added that there are no minimum requirements to become an introducer, but with resellers e-know.net will need access to their IT competence and support functions.
Mark Lower, managing director of the managed voice services division at InTechnology, said: “Managed services are a massive opportunity for both resellers and service providers.
“Voice over IP is moving into the mainstream with enterprises and business customers getting their heads around using a hosted PBX, which is particularly useful if the customer has a number of sites.”
Lower added that InTechnology’s managed services operation, which currently runs direct, may soon go through resellers.
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