To address burgeoning intranet market demand and the apparent skills shortage within the channel concerning these solutions Datatec Group member, Logical Network Services, is introducing an out-of-the-box Web-enabled intranet package specifically for movement through local VARs.Intranet-in-a-box is driven by the Lotus Domino server and being marketed to resellers and dealers through fellow Datatec company, Workgroup Distribution.Gary Swale, a director of the collaborative division at Logical Network Services, says the channel will benefit by virtue of financial incentives once a package has been sold into a corporate customer. VARs can also partner with Logical to provide service and support to that customer."Resellers are in a tough position when it comes to marketing what are perceived to be technically complex solutions - such as those based on Lotus Notes - because they don`t get the support they need. Consequently inhibitions about the products build up," he says."The Intranet-in-a-box initiative means we are not just coming to market with a product bundle, we are delivering a solution. End users have the option to choose just how much service and support they are going to need and resellers feed that information back to us. We can then offer the appropriate options."Intranet-in-a-box is driven by the Lotus Domino server and consists of several Notes client licenses, and Logical`s Business-in-a-box, product set: 19 pre-developed Notes applications for common in-house corporate processes such as company information, sales and marketing activities, operations management, cost and asset tracking, human resources, and general administration.The package is designed such that it can get a company up and running with a value-added internal network immediately, or it can be customised to the level the end user requires. Open and closed code versions are being distributed through Workgroup; resellers can make the choice based on customer needs."We are looking to work with the channel to break down the inhibitions surrounding intranets - and their Web-enabled counterparts, extranets. Local companies are starting to realise that options exist which don`t involve huge consulting fees and lengthy development cycles. Intranet-in-a-box should help that process," says Swale.Liesl Schnelle, product manager at Workgroup Distribution, says the Lotus Notes knowledge base in the market place is somewhat limited but that Intranet-in-a-Box will educate resellers and thereby increase product awareness."This bundle is different because it`s a viable intranet solution which can be customised to a business need - integration, training and support are the differentiating factors."Schnelle believes resellers will also build up skills in the process as training on Notes and Business-in-a-Box is offered by Logical as part of the bundle.Swale says Logical`s aim is to collaborate with Workgroup and channel partners to ensure that a company is not left floundering with technology it does not need or know how to use."A return on intranet investment must be delivered. And in the process we want to instil confidence in Notes solutions throughout the channel," he concludes.
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