D&H Distributing Launches Esports Certification for Partners

D&H Distributing continues to bet on the esports opportunity for partners, launching a new certification opportunity Thursday.

The new esports certification program – K-12 Esports Provider Certification – launches in collaboration with the High School Esports League (HSEL), the Varsity Esports Foundation (VEF), the Esports Education Network (EEN), and the Middle School Esports League (MSEL).

D&H Distributing’s Peter DiMarco

“As this category matures, D&H has a window of opportunity to make its customers the premier experts in esports implementation,” said Peter DiMarco, vice president of VAR sales at D&H Distributing. “For each high school that adds an esports curriculum, there’s a greenfield opportunity to outfit that district with $15,000-$30,000′ worth of equipment for gaming hardware, high-performance computing devices, components, displays, peripherals, accessories, or even the installation of a full-on gaming arena. The potential is considerable.”

What this means to channel partners is connecting school teams with trusted resellers and MSPs who can outfit esports organizations with cutting-edge technology. Esports is played via virtual electronic platforms. The integrated technology environment includes a gaming desktop, monitor, mouse, keyboard, headset and furniture such as gaming chairs and desks. Outfitting a medium or small area creates an opportunity to create a pro audio/visual environment. This may include large format displays, projectors and screens, and speakers — and then there’s the networking.

“We have hundreds of partners who have shown interest in engaging in esports with numbers growing on a quarterly basis,” said DiMarco. “All our esports categories have seen increases this year, including key categories such as high-end video graphics cards. We expect strong growth across all these product areas.

Unique Certification

Focused on partners selling to K-12 education, the program delivers resources, materials and guidance, and a video-based training curriculum. These resources aim to help partners successfully market and sell esports technology. Once they complete the certification, partners get a badge to broadcast their expertise.

Included in the curriculum is a series of on-demand units and lessons. The presenter is Coach Connor Alne, a former esports arena manager for the National College Gaming Association.

“It’s a comprehensive course delivered in a concise and digestible manner, taking up approximately three hours of total lesson time. Modules don’t have to be watched all at once in order to accommodate the partner’s schedule,” said DiMarco.

The certification became available on July 1. The cost is $200 per registrant. D&H offers partners vouchers to complete the program at a discount. The goal is to educate more D&H partners on these solutions and how they can best market them to school district decision-makers.