Microsoft has revised its Authorised Education Reseller (AER) Programme to offer additional support and resources to resellers and help education sector customers to identify expert AERs. This is an enhancement and replacement of the current Microsoft AER Programme, which has been in operation since 1998 and currently has 480 members in South Africa.
According to Leanne Steer, education programme manager at Microsoft South Africa, the new programme simplifies the reseller`s engagement with Microsoft while connecting resellers with educational institutions. "Customers will be able to identify educational resellers who have experience in delivering educational solutions and services. By partnering with AERs, schools not only accelerate their technology innovation, but benefit from the agility offered by technology to experiment, innovate and create enriched learning experiences," she explains.
Steer says that Microsoft is committed to invest in the AER Programme and that they are expanding the benefits of the existing programme to comply with customer needs. "Additional marketing tools for the programme include a "Get Started Guide", publicity from case studies, a licensing guide template, licensing, troubleshooting and a FAQ reference guide," she says.
The new programme also introduces a new level of certification, AER Elite. "This programme is structured exclusively for resellers who show outstanding commitment and focus in the education market. Elite AERs will be part of a lead referral programme for schools requiring technology partners. This certification allows resellers to differentiate themselves based on their area of specialisation, thus enabling Microsoft to identify a reseller that has demonstrated its ability with similar projects more easily," continues Steer.
Elite certification is based on the verification of real-world customer references and advanced certification requirements that demand considerable technical competency and complex licensing solutions.
The benefits of the AER Elite Programme include lead referrals, initiations to sales, technical and Direct Access events, a possibility of publicity for Elite AERs from case studies and members will receive priority in joint marketing opportunities.
For more details about the programme, please go to our Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/southafrica/education
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