Avaya Switches up Channel Partner Program

Avaya is changing up its Avaya Connect Channel Partner Program in an effort to help its reseller partners to increase their personal levels of expertise in utilizing Avaya Collaboration technologies. With the changes to the new program, Avaya hopes it can help its channel partners differentiate themselves and drive a high-quality customer experience.

Among the changes to the Connect Channel Partner Program, Avaya has revised its requirements for achieving Silver-, Gold- and Platinum-level status while simultaneously introducing six new Solution Expert designations. For partners to achieve the designation of solution experts for the new roles, they must acquire specific credentials in sales and design, achieve revenue thresholds and demonstrate customer satisfaction, according to the company. Additionally, Silver-, Gold- and Platinum-status appointment will be based on the number of Solution Expert designations achieved by each individual company.

“Business challenges require the expertise of a trusted partner who understands how technology can be applied to achieve the desired business outcome. It’s rare that a customer will require a single isolated product,” said Richard Steranka, vice president, Worldwide Channels, Avaya in a prepared statement. “The changes to Avaya Connect address what we as a vendor need to do to encourage our channel partners to develop the expertise to help ensure customer needs are met to the highest level of their satisfaction and reward them for doing so.”

Avaya believes the changes to the program will make it easier for its channel partners to achieve a higher level status for their chosen business model, while also distinguishing themselves based on their individual expertise. By providing its partners with more options to succeed, Avaya said it hopes to create a network of resellers who take full advantages their resources while laying the groundwork for a more efficient and financially healthy partner program.

The new partner program will take effect Oct. 1, which is the start of Avaya’s 2015 fiscal year. The company has designated the first year of the program as a transitional period in which partners will be able to earn their new status levels based on the current or new requirements that best suit their business needs.