Zyxel Networks updates partner programme for 2024 with Wi-Fi 7 and security offering

Company announces new technical qualification and is seeking additional partners

Zyxel Networks is looking to build on its growth over the last two years with an updated partner programme designed to drive more business for channel partners with its new generations of Wi-Fi 7 access points, multi-gigabit switches and unified security gateways.

The company will also be looking to recruit additional partners that want to develop their managed services business with the Zyxel Nebula cloud platform.

Significant changes to the channel programme include streamlined deal registration and special bid processes that will give partners an almost instant response to requests.

Rachel Rothwell, UK and Ireland senior regional director at Zyxel (pictured) told CRN: "We've made the whole process faster, more automated and easier to use.

"It's been completely designed from the ground up as an on-line procedure that requires no manual intervention.

"Emails go directly to the sales team and in most cases, partners will now get an almost immediate confirmation - especially on bids for Zyxel Pro products.

"Being able to respond faster will mean they can compete more effectively and win more projects."

The vendor is also introducing a new status for partner technical personnel - the Zyxel Elite Tech Member - as part of its wider ambassador programme.

Elite Tech Members will be required to hold three out of the four Zyxel Certified Network Engineer (ZCNE) badges available - for Switching, Wireless, Security and Nebula - to qualify.

As part of the programme update, the vendor's partner portal has been redesigned to provide faster access to deal registration and bids, to training and sales and marketing materials, and to all the other benefits that available to partners.

In addition, Zyxel said it has made "subtle but significant" changes to its margin structure designed to provide additional incentives for partners that seek out and win more new business.

"We want to incentivise and reward partners for winning new projects and getting close to the customer," Rothwell explained.

"There is now more emphasis on special bids and partners will benefit more when they win new projects."

Rothwell said that as the market changes, the company needs to adapt with it.

"We're always looking at ways we can improve support for partners, and this latest set of enhancements are based on the continuous cycle of feedback we get from them. It's now more important than ever for partners to respond swiftly to customer requests and provide accurate and confirmed quotations.

"The changes we've made are designed to make the partner experience even better and for our team to respond faster, compete more effectively and win more business.

"More enhancements are coming, we're providing partners with access to sales and marketing materials and we'll soon be adding a new customer service area to the portal."