Siemens Enterprise Communications today announces that it is migrating to a pure distribution model having previously had both a one- and two-tier approach. The move will allow Siemens to focus on delivering market-leading partner support through sales, marketing and support activities, which in turn will allow accredited partners to maximise the value of sales opportunities to their customers.
“Since the highly successful launch of our Go Forward! partner programme, we have been monitoring market developments, particularly in relation to our evolving product portfolio, and also analysed feedback from our partner satisfaction survey. The main challenge, according to the survey, was to provide our partners with a satisfactory logistics and supply process that in turn would help them drive new business. The shift to a pure distribution model will enable us to focus on providing exactly this,” said Leon Mangan, sales director, Indirect Channel, Siemens Enterprise Communications.
“From a market perspective, distribution organisations have significantly developed their offerings and capabilities over the last few years. They are no longer box-shifters but solution providers, and now offer the range of value added services that our channel partners demand. Furthermore, when aligned with slick logistics performance they are best positioned to serve the reseller community. This will also allow us to continue developing and marketing award-winning products while driving market awareness of new application areas, such as Unified Communications and Fixed Mobile Convenience.”
With the Siemens product portfolio already boasting solutions specifically designed for the channel, such as HiPath OpenOffice ME, and coupled with increased support, partners will be in a stronger position to serve the needs of the ever demanding end user. HiPath OpenOffice ME is the first Unified Communications solution developed purposefully for the channel. Its productivity and collaboration features, such as intuitive presence-aware management and ‘drag-and-drop’ conferencing, provide SMEs with the tools to optimise both internal and external communications.
Go Forward! focuses on delivering expert support and service to partners, allowing them to fully maximise the breadth of Siemens’ award-winning product portfolio, as well as utilising its training programme. With the emphasis being on retaining and attracting partners that are committed to solutions-led sales to end users, Siemens will ensure that partners can differentiate themselves by delivering open communications products and applications that reduce costs and increase organisational efficiency and productivity.
“Adopting a pure distribution approach demonstrates our confidence in our product portfolio and the Go Forward! partner programme itself. We recognise the value our distribution partners bring in providing a complete range of services that satisfy the needs of the market,” concluded Mangan.