SAS Institute`s comprehensive partnership programme has been created to benefit SAS Institute clients and partners alike. Niall Walker, Strategic Partnership Manager at SAS Institute, says that SAS Institute has a rigorous approach towards their partnership programme where they only partner with quality organisations, including companies like Netnovation. Walker says that partners of SAS Institute are required to have the skills and the resources before they are considered fully-fledged partners.
"We want to grow our business but we need to make sure that the resources exist to support the installation and maintenance of our systems," he says.
"We`re looking at a comprehensive partnership programme which will support our intention to extend further into Africa. Part of this will entail working with other companies and we`re also working with educational institutions to train new IT professionals in our solutions," he says.
Netnovation recently acquired a support contract with SA Eagle who are using SAS Institute software. As a result of this contract Netnovation has become a quality supplier of professional services on the SAS Institute software.
Walker emphasises the care with which SAS Institute chooses and supports their partners. "They have to have the skills and the resources to work with us," he points out adding that this means that companies will be assured of the best IT resources in the installation and running of new projects.
Walker explains that SAS Institute is presently qualifying a few more companies in addition to Netnovation and the other current partners. "We like to look for opportunities with companies where there is mutual benefit," he adds saying that the partnerships are reviewed regularly and rigorously. "Our partners have to have produced a business plan, and they have to commit to certification of a certain number of their staff on SAS Institute software," he adds.