Oki to build UK document channel with new channel scheme

Print vendor launches Europe-wide partner programme and promises bigger rewards for VARs

Oki is looking to bolster its UK partner ranks with the launch of new pan-European channel programme.

The Shinrai Partner Programme is designed to help the vendor cultivate a channel for its newer multifunction devices that cater for "document workflow", rather than simply print.

Shinrai (which means "trust" in Japanese) will have three main tiers of partner: Executive; Premium; and Business. The initiative will also have categories for E-Commerce and Business Mail Order specialist partners.

The manufacturer claims that the rollout of the programme will provide its UK operation with a stronger reseller framework and increased financial rewards and incentives for VARs. Partners will also benefit from training and marketing support, and Oki will run a range of promotional activities in the coming weeks, including some preferential pricing for resellers taking part.

Graham Lowes, marketing director at Oki Systems UK, said: "We are looking for the new programme to help us recruit new resellers with expertise in document management, archiving storage and retrieval skill sets as well as print. And we are looking for them to integrate these capabilities within their own offerings so we can provide end customers with a total solution for all their document management needs."