Dell channel programme official

Released in US with other countries to follow next year

Dell has released its long-awaited channel programme, titled PartnerDirect, along with a partner website, discussion board and forum.

A statement on the company’s website says the scheme has launched in the US and will roll out to other countries and partner groups from early next year.

Australian-based corporate communications manager Paul McKeon says he doesn't know when the programme will reach Australia or New Zealand.

Dell says features include a dedicated partner website at www.dell.com/partner, certification and training, a deal registration initiative serviced by salesforce.com, marketing guidelines and resources, and credit options. The first available certification focuses on managed services.

“Our partners around the world generated approximately $9 billion in Dell run-rate revenue in the past year alone, and we’re collaborating to help partners grow and become even more efficient, profitable and competitive,” Dell’s vice president and general manager of Americas Channel Group Greg Davis is quoted as saying in the statement.

It says the partner online community was launched to “broaden conversations about how Dell can best meet the needs of its partners and work with them to simplify information technology for their customers”.

Partners will fall into two groups – Registered Partner and Certified Partner – the latter of which is for those who invest more heavily in their relationship with the vendor.

Davis unveiled the details at a ‘virtual town hall’ meeting for partners.