Tech Data Canada recently launched a partner affiliation program that is the first of its kind for the distributor in North America.
The program, Friends of Tech Data, allows resellers to take advantage of Tech Data’s relationships with suppliers.
It provides resellers access to
specialized services and deals not directly offered by Tech Data.
David Spindler, director of e-solutions and business development for Tech Data, explains what makes Friends of Tech Data unique.
“The difference between this program and our other programs is that these companies are leveraging our knowledge and experience,” said Spindler. “We deal with them and get a special deal that we can pass on to our customers.”
In turn, the organizations can tap into Tech Data’s bank of 8,000-plus resellers.
The idea for the program came from Tech Data’s customers.
“The smaller resellers were asking us what experience we had with these particular companies,” said Spindler. “That’s how it was born.”
There are currently 10 organizations involved with Friends of Tech Data, including ActionFront Data Recovery Labs.
ActionFront is trying to entice resellers to join their data recovery program with incentives such as a $50 honorarium for every case they send to ActionFront and a 10 per cent share of revenues.
Ron Austin, vice president of business development for ActionFront, believes Friends of Tech Data will help ActionFront promote data recovery.
“When you fix a computer you often re-install the operating system software, but you’ll lose the application data in the process,” he said.
Austin decided to get involved with the program after meeting with Rick Reid, president of Tech Data Canada, in July.
So far, Spindler says the response from resellers has been great.
To maintain a mutually beneficial partnership, Tech Data will review the program every 90 days.
While it has not reached that mark yet, Spindler promises to ensure that the companies continue to offer good deals to Tech Data’s customers.
Tech Data plans to continue with the program as long as the resellers are getting value out of it.
Looking ahead, Spindler says there is a possibility for expansion in the U.S. “If the program is successful in Canada, the U.S. parent company will probably take it on.