New Initiatives by BakBone for Channel Partners

BakBone Software, Inc. continues to build its Channel Advantage Partner Program with new elements that help Channel Partners fully leverage BakBone’s product innovation and resources. The BakBone Channel Advantage Program’s new initiatives reflect BakBone’s ongoing commitment to be responsive and easy to engage. Channel Partners can now benefit from greater financial rewards, more streamlined communication, a redesigned partner portal, online certification classes, and a zero-risk proof-of-concept campaign that enables potential customers to test drive a full version of NetVault(TM): Backup before they buy it.

BakBone continues to expand its product portfolio and execute on its Integrated Data Protection strategy, and the new Channel Advantage Partner Program initiatives will help Channel Partners more easily bring these innovations to their customers. BakBone recently introduced full adoption of VMware technology and techniques; support for SharePoint; enhanced Oracle database protection and real-time data protection for Exchange, SQL and Windows file system data.

"We are committed to helping ensure that our Channel Partners can deliver the right solution for their customers’ needs in the most efficient manner and at the most competitive price," said Mark Williams, vice president of North America Sales, BakBone. "We offer Channel Partners the unique opportunity to work with a company that doesn’t compete with them in the sales cycle and is easy to work with. BakBone is continually looking for ways to help Channel Partners increase their revenue and growth opportunities and create a better overall experience for them."

Built on the existing BakBone channel program, the new initiatives include the following:

• New program requirements to boost success for the Channel Partner
• New program benefits to energize and reward commitment from the Channel Partner
• A redesigned training and certification curriculum, including online certification
• Improved regular communication between BakBone and Channel Partners
• An overhauled partner portal, featuring opportunity registration capability and updated marketing tools
• A zero-risk proof-of-concept program that allows users to try NetVault: Backup for 30 days with a technical expert onsite to perform installation at no cost to the potential customer

BakBone’s channel program is multi-tiered, enabling Channel Partners to expand and diversify their sales and support engagements with existing and potential customers. The structure is based on partner performance, certification, and investment and is broken into three tiers: Authorized, Silver and Platinum. "BakBone is looking for quality, not quantity, and provides rewards based on Channel Partners’ capabilities and commitment to growing their businesses," said Williams.

BakBone’s Web-based certification courses give Channel Partners the opportunity to become product and sales experts, enhancing their success within the program. The training, offered by invitation, is free for Channel Partners. Courses are self-paced with a recommended time allotment of 1.5 hours for sales courses and 2.5 hours for technical courses. In addition to other requirements, the courses also help qualify Channel Partners for Platinum or Silver partnerships, with a final exam and certification available entirely online.

In addition to the structural improvements to the Partner Program, BakBone Channel Partners also have access to a completely overhauled partner portal that is available through the BakBone Web site. The portal, redesigned for easier navigation, is a one-stop location for Channel Partners, featuring opportunity registration, product information, updated price lists, marketing support and much more.

Finally, BakBone is introducing a zero-risk campaign to partners. Potential customers can use a full version of BakBone’s products for up to 30 days and the installation of product is performed onsite by a BakBone technical expert at no cost to the potential customer.

Quotes:
"At the Platinum Level, the Channel Advantage Program has given us an opportunity to collaborate directly with BakBone on ways to strengthen our valuable relationship," said Ashby Lincoln, president & CEO, VeriStor Systems, Inc. "The rebate incentive and maintenance renewal opportunities offered only at this level also reward us for our efforts. We are pleased to be one of the few exclusive partners to participate at the Platinum Level and expect it to yield strategic results that benefit our customers and enhance our selling strategies."

"Faced with an already-crowded data protection market where we work hard with our clients to develop solutions that address their specific needs, BakBone helps us maintain exclusivity with our customer base with ongoing commitment and improvements to the Channel Advantage Program," said John Zammett, president, HorizonTek, Inc. "With the latest initiatives to the program, BakBone continues to show us its willingness and ability to improve the partner program and protect its value-add resellers."

"As we build our relationship with BakBone, we anticipate that the resources and rewards available through the Channel Advantage Program will help us grow with the program as we expand our customer base," said Adam Schutska, chief technology officer, Precision Computer Services.