New, Changing Channel Programs: Cisco, Microsoft, Zoom, MetTel, Verizon, More

Channel partners are playing a bigger role in the go-to-market strategies of companies like Red Hat and Cisco.

Indirect sales continues to receive validation from large, established technology vendors as an effective go-to-market strategy. Red Hat is turning over its commercial business to partners, and MetTel has reportedly doubled its investment in its partner program.

In addition, many startup vendors are leaning heavily on resellers, MSPs and agents to drive sales. For example, cloud networking provider Prosimo is turning to partners to help it scale globally.

The latest channel program announcements include a variety of technologies and partner models. On the conferencing/UCaaS front, Zoom expanded resale opportunities for its Phone offering. Cisco channel leaders are exhorting partners to embrace managed services as a highly profitable route to success. In the meantime, Verizon made changes to appeal more to agent partners.

Check out 19 of the latest partner program updates in the business technology indirect sales channel.

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