Neuratech unveils channel strategy for common knowledge

NeuraTech, the knowledge management company, today announced that it is recruiting the services of the local and global IT channels to assist with the sales and marketing of its new holistic knowledge management and collaboration software solution, Common Knowledge. NeuraTech also announced that it has signed partnerships with i-Intelligence (Deloitte & Touche), Smacsoft, ULT and e-Knowledge.

Common Knowledge acts as an "Enterprise Memory" and is designed to enhance organisational efficiency, productivity and responsiveness through the protection, discovery and optimal use of intellectual capital. It is the first product of its kind to store and retrieve information in the same way as the human mind using an object and relationship approach in contrast to the conventional rows, columns and folders approach which technology has traditionally dictated. This means that all information in any form is instantly and easily accessible saving time, effort and money.

According to CEO of NeuraTech, John Swanepeol, there is a huge market opportunity for an application such as Common Knowledge. He quotes international research company IDC which estimates that Fortune 500 companies wasted $12 billion in 1999 as employees duplicated one another`s work and waded through disorganized files (Fortune Magazine March 20, 2000). IDC also predicts that the worldwide collaborative management software market will be worth $4,3 billion by 2003. And Gartner Group forecasts that by 2002 simultaneous collaboration technologies will be deployed by 70% of type A companies and 30% of type B companies (where type A`s are technology driven, often willing to risk using immature, cutting-edge technologies to gain competitive edge; and type B`s are moderate technology adopters).

With this growing demand, NeuraTech has recognised the need to partner with accredited value added resellers (VARs), systems integrators and consultants to service the market opportunity and is committed to a single-tier, channel centric model, says Swanepoel. "Common Knowledge is a ground breaking application which will create opportunities for partner companies to grow and leverage their existing customer base and provide unsurpassed opportunities to grow their business into new areas. We believe that Common Knowledge will quickly be accepted as the standard platform for businesses to initiate their knowledge management strategies."

NeuraTech will partner with a select number of high quality firms and is especially interested to pursue discussions with companies with global connections, says Swanepoel. "Common Knowledge partners are ideally large multinational organizations with sales and marketing skills as well as project management and deployment skills. However, where these resources are not available in-house, NeuraTech will offer the necessary assistance," he says.

According to Swanepoel, NeuraTech provides a lot of flexibility to the right channel partners and offers opportunities in consulting and services as well as software sales. The company has designed a four-tier channel programme comprising Common Knowledge Partners, Common Knowledge Consulting Partners, Common Knowledge Development Partners, and Common Knowledge Integration Partners.

Common Knowledge Partners are companies wishing to resell Common Knowledge application products with minor customization at the time of installation. Common Knowledge Consulting Partners are consultants who provide NeuraTech with leads and utilize Common Knowledge partners for fulfillment and implementation of the software. Common Knowledge Development Partners integrate Common Knowledge into customers` back office systems in order to satisfy specific business requirements. Finally, Common Knowledge Integration Partners enhance the solution by developing COM/DCOM and CORBA compliant business modules.

According to Swanepoel, NeuraTech`s multi-tiered partner programme offers an array of benefits, including pre- and post-sales assistance, technical training and joint marketing support. The company runs certification programmes which are designed to extend partners` existing investments in Microsoft training and to provide them with a skilled and focused team of sales and technical expertise. Partners are also provided with sales tools including product brochures, rolling demonstrations, White Papers, case studies and supporting return on investment (ROI) documentation. NeuraTech`s secure website will also play a key role in allowing partners to download collateral, register for training, track performance versus targets and so on.

NeuraTech sales consultants will work with the channel to create demand and generate leads but fulfillment and implementation will always be carried out by partners, says Swanepoel.

"NeuraTech is involved in continuous research and development aimed at improving and building on the core functionality of Common Knowledge and our partners will benefit by having access to the latest upgrades and technology at all times," concludes Swanepoel.