Mitel Launches Vendor-Agnostic Channel Accreditation

Unified communications company Mitel is bringing its partners something special in the way of voice virtualization. Now, partners can access a unique multi-vendor program, the Mitel Technical Accreditation Program (TAP), that helps partners differentiate themselves in the channel. I spoke to Bob Anderson, VP of channel marketing programs at Mitel about the news …

In the virtualization world, choices abound for both partners and end users. Not all vendors provide the best everything, so Mitel‘s solution to was to provide a best-in-breed program that can help channel partners deliver the best solution for the problem, Anderson said. Voice virtualization, mobility, contact center and UC applications are all now special segments of  TAP, enabling partners to specialize. The program also looks to promote partners who hold a high standard of competency, which Mitel hopes will create solid customer satisfaction and a competitive advantage for both Mitel and the reseller.

Virtualization-savvy partners who are familiar with technologies from VMware, RIM, Extreme, Juniper, HP or Aruba are welcomed aboard.

“It’s no longer a hardware appliance or box,” Anderson said. “A customer today can deploy a pure software play into any industry-standard server.”

But, he noted, industrywide there needs to be a more robust base of accreditation, alluding to the fact that it’s not as easy as slip-streaming an image into a VM. “They’re fully featured and functionality-rich applications. Whether they’re UC or mobility … they’re apps that have a impact on a customer’s business. Mitel … [through TAP] provide[s] our channel partners with the opportunity to promote their specialization.”

Anderson also said that the vendor-agnostic approach to Mitel’s voice virtualiation platform has the ability to be fairly disruptive in the channel. “If you’re with Cisco, then you’re looking at Cisco courses. Whereas with Mitel, it’s simply offering a best-in-class approach and I think that resonates well with the channel community.”

Resellers working in the SMB and enterprise markets are prime candidates for TAP, Anderson said. Although Mitel traditionally has done well in the SMB space, we’re finding more success with the enterprise market as well,” he noted, adding that health care, education and hospitality are all key verticals taking on Mitel solutions.

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