Steljes pushes reseller training

AV distributor set to launch new range of VAR training

Steljes has accredited more than 500 VARs across all levels of its Reseller Accreditation Programme since its launch last April (CRN, 18 April), and it is unveiling a range of new training for partners on 1 March.

As the sole UK distributor for Smart Technologies’ range of interactive whiteboards, Steljes decided to launch a programme so that only accredited resellers could sell Smart products and services.

Following a recent review of the programme, Steljes has decided to invest in more training for partners.

Mark Bird, marketing development director at Steljes, told CRN: “As with any channel programme, we have been constantly receiving feedback from partners, and we have just undertaken a review. The biggest thing we are looking to do is rapidly increase the amount of training we give VARs.

“The request we got the most was for product-specific training. From 1 March we will be providing more product training, more installation training and we will be launching a new one-day ‘in context’ training course.

“The ‘in context’ training day will be run by ex-teachers and local authority education specialists. It will enable resellers to be brought up to date on the current trends in education, learn the best type of language to use when presenting to schools, and also learn what type of support teachers require after the sale.

Steljes will also be opening a Smart demonstration suite at its new offices in Bagshot, which it hopes to have up and running in late Spring.

VAR Leapfrog Computers is a Steljes Premier accredited partner and welcomed the additional training.

Lee Bevan, managing director of Leapfrog, said: “The accreditation programme has been absolutely superb for us, so if Steljes is investing in extra training that will be very useful.

“The programme has kept the riff- raff from selling Smart boards. Steljes just needs to keep monitoring and maintaining the programme and keep us up to date with products.”

Stuart Green, strategy director at Centerprise International, said: “Smart boards are a one-off product sale, so the key to making recurring revenue is to provide support and services around it. We would therefore welcome additional training.”