Adobe lures channel with deal registration carrot

Software giant says Partner Connection represents the first time it has engaged with channel in structured way

Adobe is raising deal registration rebates from three to up to seven per cent as part of a channel revamp.

The software giant will launch the Adobe Partner Connection reseller programme on 3 October, under which partners will be tiered as Registered, Certified, Gold or Platinum. It covers Adobe titles including Acrobat, its desktop products and its creative suite.

Talking to ChannelWeb, Mat Shillum, head of channel for Adobe (pictured), said Partner Connection is the first time the $3.8bn-turnover firm has engaged with the channel in a formal fashion.

"Until now we haven't had a structured reseller programme," said Shillum. "Moving to Connect is a great commitment from Adobe to our partners."

As part of the revamp, partners can earn rebates of up to seven per cent of the value of an order on registered deals, based on the suggested retail price. The rebate will be awarded regardless of who eventually wins the deal.

The previous regime offered a flat deal registration rebate of three per cent.

Partners holding Certified, Gold and Platinum status can also earn specialisations in education, software asset management and professional video.

Dave Simpson, commercial director at Softcat, welcomed the changes.

"In some areas of business, Adobe is in such a dominant position that it has perceived the channel as unnecessary. It has now realised it does need the channel to help it sell and this is big positive news."

Regarding the deal registration scheme, Simpson said: "Anything that increases the differential between resellers that are proactive and the ambulance chasers is welcome."

Zak Virdi, managing director UK, Ireland and Nordics at SoftwareONE, said: "Initially, this sounds like a good thing and we are very encouraged."

Justin Griffiths, EMEA vice president of partner management at Insight, said: "We feel strong that Adobe is continuing to develop its channel programmes to recognise the sales, marketing and technical effort required to partner with Adobe."