BitDefender, a provider of innovative Internet security solutions, launched the BitDefender Partner Advantage Network, a new channel partner programme designed to accelerate partner revenue growth and market expansion.
With the BitDefender Partner Advantage Network, the company is moving aggressively to better empower the reseller community to capitalise on growth opportunities in IT security, offering more dedicated technical support, sales and marketing assistance, and training and education. In addition, the partner programme will also offer beneficial commissions and business terms in the industry.
The launch of the BitDefender Partner Advantage Network follows the revamp of the company’s channel efforts in late 2010 and was initiated to meet BitDefender’s growing network of resellers across more than 100 countries globally.
Dianne Pilon, director global channel marketing at BitDefender says given the increasingly important role IT security plays in business today and the reputation BitDefender has established as a provider of internationally certified security software, there is a tremendous revenue growth opportunity for channel partners in 2011. “With the launch of a more comprehensive channel programme, one with more technical and marketing support, greater financial incentives and better terms for our partners, BitDefender is addressing this opportunity with an unprecedented commitment to the reseller community,” he says.
To ensure the success of BitDefender partners, the BitDefender Network Advantage offers a wide range of benefits, including, sales enablement and marketing tools, technical support and training, not-for-resell (NFR) licenses, partner visibility on BitDefender.com and use of the Partner Advantage Network brand logo for added marketing strength. In addition, BitDefender’s online partner portal, PartnerLink, provides an intuitive, comprehensive framework for working with BitDefender and serves as a central navigation point for access to these and other valuable tools and resources.
BitDefender has established four partnership levelsPremier, Plus, Select and Registered all designed to distinguish and reward resellers based on their commitment, investment and experience. The partnership levels and benefits are as follows:
· Registered Partner: At this BitDefender partnership entry point, resellers have the opportunity to learn more about BitDefender security solutions and the opportunities they provide. Registered partners have access to free marketing and technical e-newsletters with regularly updated partner programme and product information, as well as free customer care.
· Select Partner: This first level of promotion within the Partner Advantage Network recognises and rewards resellers that invest in sales training and commit to achieving annual revenue goals.
· Plus Partner: Intended for organisations that have achieved technical certification on BitDefender products, this partnership level provides additional support for those that are ready to commit to increased annual revenue targets. These partners receive the added support of a BitDefender partner management team and are eligible to receive leads from BitDefender’s leads programme.
· Premier Partner: This highest partnership level is available to partners who have extensive experience selling BitDefender security solutions. These partners – which maintain a greater number of dedicated, certified individuals in both sales and technical positions and commit to higher revenue targets – are able to work closely with a dedicated BitDefender partner team to develop effective sales and marketing plans. Premier partners receive a proportionally greater level of support from BitDefender, including but not limited to, marketing assistance in building joint case studies, special rebate and funding programs, and participation in the beta programme.
“BitDefender believes that its partners are critical to its success, and with the launch of this new channel program, we’re demonstrating our commitment to and confidence in this community or resellers,” adds Charles Arizmendi, COO at BitDefender.
