ALVEA lures VARs with free trial

Computerlinks claims Cloud Connect programme for its ALVEA services offering has been designed with reseller flexibility in mind

Distributor Computerlinks has launched a partner programme for its ALVEA services offering designed to enable resellers with no cloud experience to leap into the market without financial risk.

Cloud Connect, which was launched today, offers a flexible free trial to resellers eyeing a move into the cloud, and coincides with the launch of the firm's upgraded ALVEA Infrastructure Service.

The scheme offers Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers of commitment, and is designed to attract a wide base of resellers, from those with no cloud experience to VARs with a focused services offering.

The programme provides the usual marketing and sales support, and can offer white-labelled solutions to its resellers as well as access to the partner forum.

David Ellis, Computerlinks' director of new technology and services, said the programme aims to alleviate some of the issues VARs face when moving to the cloud.

He said: "We want to reduce the cost of entry because cloud can be daunting if you have not done it before. [Partners think] where do I start? How do I go to market? How do I train my sales team?"

The programme is available from today, and was launched alongside the company's Infrastructure Service, which is now based in a UK datacentre and offers a secure data-seeding capability.

Neil Gardner, ALVEA Services proposition manager, said the programme's financial structure makes it unique.

"Just as their clients are only charged for what they use, resellers only pay for what they actually deliver. That means they can easily change the level of service they provide, without any loss of margin," he added.