Schneider Electric has launched a new partner programme, which it claims will capture all partner types and become an attractive destination for a “new wave” of channel players.
The power management specialist has been using a programme that has remained largely unchanged for the best part of a decade.
The firm has opted to roll out its mySchneider IT partner programme across Europe, with the emphasis on making it easier for more partners to engage with the vendor.
Phase one of the programme, which starts now, introduces an “IT Solution Provider” specialisation, with partners able to certify on three levels – Select, Premier and Elite – enabling them to combine multiple specialisations, including identifying, reselling and configuring.
Schneider Electric’s Marilia Ferreira said partners had been calling for greater flexibility in the way the vendor segmented its programme. Surveys it had carried out showed one-third were dissatisfied with the structure on offer.
“The new structure – our partners were asking for that – supports the growth of their businesses”, she said. “The main novelty here is that the IT solution provider can now achieve the elite level, which before was an exclusivity for the datacentre solution provider category of partnership.”
The plan is for stage 2 and 3 to follow next year, with “Software and Services Provider” and “Datacentre Solutions Provider” specialisations being added.
“Our previous partner programme in its format has been in situ for around about nine years now”, said David Terry, VP, IT channels, Schneider Electric Europe. “So we are not one of those companies that changes our partner programme with the will of the wind.”
