SkyPort Launches Partner Program

SkyPort International (Booth 304), a satellite communications provider, has launched a channel partner program to bring its network to users of voice, data, broadband and wireless services.

The SkyPort Partners Program is designed to provide telecommunications and network equipment providers, wireless and radio vendors, systems integrators and others with the tools they need to deliver a satellite solution to customers, either as a primary or a backup means of communication. The SkyPort Partners (SkyPartners) Program already has attracted a number of partner affiliates, including Avaya Inc., Catalyst Telecom (the sales unit of ScanSource Inc.), and Source Inc. (one of the nations largest providers of networked communication systems).

Our Partners Program has been designed as a result of extensive research to be best-in-class and to provide our partners with industry-leading products, services, tools, training and support so they can be more successful, said Stella Powell, executive vice president of sales and marketing at SkyPort. Our SkyPartners enjoy wholesale prices, rebates and the prospect of multiyear contracts, which can generate monthly annuities.

SkyPorts satellite ground station in Houston provides broadband access and other communications to business and government organizations dealing with remote geography, such as oil and gas exploration and production, off-shore drilling platforms, the U.S. Border Patrol, and enterprises that support efforts in other countries. The company also is the ultimate backup and business continuity solution for many companies and organizations with terrestrial service that can go down in floods, storms and even accidents, the company said.

Serving as the backbone of many emergency response teams, SkyPort provides rapidly deployed communications solutions for first responders who require support for interoperability of incompatible radio and communications equipment.

SkyPort won the National Guards Minuteman Award for its assistance during Hurricanes Rita and Katrina.

Participants in the SkyPartners program have access to SkyPorts engineers and design team, enabling greater collaboration to create ideal solutions for customers. SkyPort also provides funds and marketing and support programs tailored to each partners business plan and needs. The SkyPartner bid desk even helps partners produce proposals for customers, and then ensures on-time installation and post-sales support.

The benefits of the SkyPartner program include:

Proactive tele-sales campaigns: Based on a partners specific marketing plan, the SkyPartner call center will seek out well-qualified leads in target market and trading areas.

Market research: SkyPort will conduct specific market and industry surveys on behalf of a partner and publish the information as co-branded white papers and research reports, positioning the partner as a recognized expert.

SkyPartner Portal interactive Web site: SkyPort offers online customer support and technical tools for quick response, as well as co-branded marketing materials.

SkyPrice: The easy-to-use pricing tool takes the hassle out of complicated catalogues.

SkyWatch: A bandwidth usage reporting tool that enables partners to provide proactive capacity planning and easily upsell to a customer.

Live and on-demand customer Webinars and seminars, to give customers a greater sense of comfort and understanding of SkyPort services.

$5,000 in SkyBucks: To help pay for trade show support, market research, print ads, Web banners, brochures and even grant-writing programs for local government sales.

Sales and technical training: To increase the productivity of a partners sales and technical staffs, setting them apart from the competition.

The SkyPartner program offers four levels of partnership, with margins based on the level of service and volume:

Teaming Partners: Each teaming agreement is uniquely designed for a specific situation.

Premium Partners: This plan allows sales agents to offer SkyPorts profitable products and services to their customer base and receive agent commissions for the sales.

Gold Partners: The Gold plan enables technology providers of all types to offer SkyPorts reliable and lucrative products and services to their existing and new customers as VARs.

Platinum Partners: This rewards partners who not only market SkyPorts products, but also provide installation and first-line technical support.