Quantum leaps into online
Marketplace web tool will simplify product configuration and generate more sales, firm claims
Backup vendor Quantum has unveiled a new online purchasing tool, which it has claimed will simplify sales of backup and recovery systems for its channel partners.
The vendor has claimed that the Quantum Marketplace tool puts selection, configuration, pricing and ordering of tape-based backup and recovery systems "at the fingertips" of its distributors, system integrators and resellers.
Marketplace is designed to guide partners through configuration options and allow them to develop end-user systems that have compatible components.
"It guides partners through the configuration options used to put together end-user tape library systems. This will make things easier for our partners and remove complexity," said Henrik Hansen, European marketing director at Quantum.
The vendor claimed the system is designed to save its partners money by minimising the time needed for configuration and pricing. Marketplace can accept orders and provide quotations on products such as autoloaders, tape automation libraries and disk-based backup systems.
"Resellers can save shopping cart templates, so when an end-user requests a similar system the template can be opened up and modified so that quotes are given even faster," Hansen added.
In January, Quantum completed the $60m acquisition of tape drive vendor Certance. Hansen said that in April Quantum will add Certance's product range to Marketplace.
Steve Hall, senior product manager at Bell Microproducts, said that initially between 10 and 15 resellers will be using Marketplace.
"Historically, tape systems in the mid-range and upwards are very complicated to put together. Quantum Marketplace is perfect at addressing this and alerts you if a mistake is made during the process," he said.
Hall also claimed that the ability to formulate tape quotes quickly could lead to more sales for Quantum's resellers.
"Marketplace will help partners to formulate quotes in 10 to 15 minutes. Then they are almost guaranteed the deal, because it's not always just about price," he added.