Internet Solutions (IS), the country`s leading ISP, has announced its new channel marketing initiative named IS Value Channel Partner programme (ISVCPP). The new programme was launched at an event on 24 March 2004 and is specifically aimed at those partners whose expertise lies in selling products and services to SMEs across SA.
There are over one million small and medium businesses registered in SA and in order to show appreciable growth they need to be able to communicate quickly and securely with clients and suppliers. Communication has become a major competitive advantage to big business and the introduction of specially packaged solutions from IS, offering best of breed technology at an affordable price, heralds a new dawn for SMEs.
To reach and service this fast growing sector of the economy, IS recognises that partnerships are necessary.
"For effective penetration of this incredibly exciting market segment, IS`s highly successful corporate business model would be better supported by using channel partners, as opposed to expanding the IS corporate account management team. Channel partners will directly provide, among other key elements, the account management function. IS`s solution set, support infrastructure and administration infrastructure is well positioned to support this channel," says Tony Walt, Group Sales Director, Internet Solutions.
"Small to medium enterprises need a lot of personal attention and relationships that bring value to them. In addition, the broad array of services that our partners currently provide to the SME market can be effectively complemented by IS`s range of services. Our channel programme will enable our VCPs to become more efficient while better serving their customers."
Ermano Quartero, Director of Business Solutions at IS, has designed an enhanced set of products specifically aimed at the SME market. "We have developed our partner programme based on input from solution and service providers. These experts intimately understand their clients` needs and specialise in a specific aspect of enabling technology," he says.
"Partnering with IS through the VCP strengthens their value proposition and expands their potential client base. Together we can package additional products that enhance the shrink-wrapped initial offering and additional annuity revenue streams can be leveraged. In addition these partners have access to the expertise that IS has built up over the past 10 years."
The products in the new VCP programme include hosted exchange with corporate mail and Outlook Web Access, dedicated and shared hosting solutions, firewalls. ISFax and AccessPlus - a 64/64k service that can be split to customer requirements.
To ensure that partners can communicate easily with IS, a dedicated service desk has been set up and the call centre will route any queries to the team of 75 support staff who are on duty 24x7. Access via a unique login to IS`s Customer Zone facility will ensure that a consolidated view of the partner clients is available at all times.
"This programme allows us to target the SME market through a network of reliable, expert and dedicated partners who can attract additional business for themselves and bring real value and service to their customer base. We see them as vital to our growth," concludes Quartero.
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Internet Solutions (IS) has transformed its business model and become the only full network service provider in the country.
The business was founded on the principle of developing a robust infrastructure in order for corporates to conduct e-business. Over the past decade IS has established itself as a leader in this space, attracting over 80% of SA`s top businesses as clients.
During its 10 year life span, IS has evolved and grown its service offerings. Today, the company is the leading hosting service provider and security service provider in SA, as well as having significant market share in the virtual private network (VPN) and application service provider (ASP) space.
Internet Solutions has earned an impressive collection of accolades, including eight First National Bank "Most Admired" awards, Financial Mail Best Company to Work For and a place in the Top Unlisted Company Awards.
The company partners with major players such as Cisco, Microsoft, Oracle BT and AT&T and in 2002 was certified as a Cisco Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP), the first and only company outside of the US to be awarded this accolade.
For more, visit us on www.is.co.za.
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