Wireless provider TowerStream Corp. has kicked off its new channel partner program for VARs, available in the metro areas where the company offers its service: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Providence, R.I. The company is offering recurring commissions on sales of its T1 and 100mbps services. TowerStreams fixed wireless setup does not tie into the phone company, so it delivers more features at cheaper end-user rates, TowerStream says.
Master agency World Telecom Group has launched PartnerEdge, its sales process software for the company's subagents. PartnerEdge is automated by Salestream Software Inc. The tool gives agents access to features including instant multiprovider quotes formatted into customer-ready proposals, order population and tracking, contact management and commission reporting.
Netopia Inc. rolled out a buffed-up channel strategy in late March, aimed at helping VARs hit the small and medium business market with Netopia's 3-D Wi-Fi Gateways. VARs, which purchase Netopia's gear and startup kit through distributors like Ingram Micro, Tech Data and CDW, will be able to offer customers 12-month service plans for a public-facing hotspot. After buying and installing the hardware, VARs will pay $25 per month to Netopia for the service, and in turn charge the venue a monthly recurring charge; Netopia suggests $40 per month, but it's up to the VAR to determine the fee.
Comdial Corp., an equipment manufacturer with a partner network, is making available its CONVERSip EP200 Multimedia Endpoint softphone for sale through the company's VARs and other partners. Based on Windows XP, the CONVERSip EP200 Multimedia Endpoint is a software application that, in tandem with Comdial's CONVERSip MP5000 Media Platform, forms a telephony solution that does not depend on thirdparty hardware and software. Its built-in instant messaging system also does not rely on the Internet, making it more secure, the company says.
Yipes Enterprise Services Inc., which provides managed Ethernet services to enterprises, launched its channel partner program. Yipes, located in San Francisco, set up three levels of partnership: independent agent, referral agent or master agent. Income - residual or one-time - depends on whether an agent is a referral or general partner. Either way, the company provides training, service and support, including SLAs and in-house representatives to help an agent close a deal. Yipes' Gigabit Ethernet services let users run CRP, ERM, storage backup, disaster recovery and VoIP applications across a metropolitan area or globally, with a LAN.
CommPartners, which markets VoIP services to telecommunications providers, has started its channel partner program. CommPartners wants IT providers to sell its VoIP products and services to SMBs and enterprises. The first company to sign is VoIP service provider Anexeon Communications. In fact, Anexeon is heading up the program which it helped CommPartners develop. Anexeon will train channel partners on CommPartner's VoIP packages, and offer sales and marketing tips, as well as service integration.
| Links |
| Anexeon Communications www.anexeoncomm.com Comdial Corp. www.comdial.com CommPartners www.commpartners.us Netopia Inc. www.netopia.com TowerStream Corp. www.towerstream.com World Telecom Group www.wtgcom.com Yipes Enterprise Services Inc. www.yipes.com |
