Samsung Launches STEP Global Channel Program

Samsung is expanding its network with the introduction of the STEP global partner program, a worldwide effort which will help the industry giant to bring additional programming and benefits to its thousands of channel partners. The aptly named STEP (Samsung Team of Empowered Partners) program aims to do just that—give Samsung partners a step up in new customer opportunities.

According to the company, STEP is designed to help partners grow their revenues and get involved in new opportunities, including access to key verticals such as health care, education and hospitality. The program will be rolled out in phases to the company’s more than 13,000 partners beginning April 7, with Platinum partners getting first dibs on the opportunity to transition.

“Samsung leads the global IT industry by not only developing innovative products and solutions, but also investing in programs, like STEP, that are essential to creating shared success with our partners,” said Richard Hutton, director of Channel Marketing at Samsung’s Enterprise Business Division, in a prepared statement. “We are focused solely on a channel sales approach and continuously look for ways to improve our channel offerings by identifying new tools, technical expertise and marketing strategies to help our partners elevate their businesses competencies.”

STEP features four tiers of support based on sales volume and type of partner, according to the press release. Each tier will have its own specific benefits for sales enablement, marketing, technical support and training. Samsung will match benefits to individual partners, and will offer support via a new online portal for access to sales data, tools and resources.

While STEP is a good opportunity for channel partners to grow their own revenues with the company, it also fits nicely with Samsung’s recent push to expand into other markets such as finance and hospitality. Recently, Samsung showed off some of the new tech housed in its New Jersey offices, where the company is partnering with several ISVs and writing its own software in an attempt to get one up on the competition in several developing industries.

Among the company’s most interesting offerings are its Samsung School software platform, which enables teachers to view student tablets via Wi-Fi, and its healthcare solutions, which will allow doctors and practitioners to maintain HIPAA compliance. Samsung is also moving into the retail sector with digital signage, which would allow storeowners to alter menus via a virtual interface.

While Samsung hasn’t said outright that its STEP program is a method of gaining access to vertical markets, you can be sure that the company has grander plans in mind for its extensive partner network.