Windstream Enhances Partner Strategy for Cloud Solutions

CHANNEL PARTNERS Windstream (Booth 2003 and an Elite Sponsor) is introducing its new enhanced partner strategy to determine its current network partners’ cloud readiness. 

The new program was developed in response to channel-partner feedback on the topic. It allows Windstream to cater training and sales enablement tools to its partners based on their cloud ready,” or cloud motivated” status.

In January, more than 200 of Windstreams top partners completed an cloud readiness assessment. Both the cloud ready” and cloud motivated” categories offer insight into how participating partners are positioned for growth in selling cloud solutions. Windstream can provide training and support options based on individual partners’ abilities.

Whether our partners are cloud ready,” with  strategies firmly in place, or cloud motivated” and recognize their need to tackle the cloud solutions suite, Windstream is going beyond typical provider certification by establishing specific training and support paths to foster the continued and sustained success of our channel partners," said Matt Preschern, Windstreams senior vice president and enterprise chief marketing officer.

Researchers at Ovum say 40 percent of small and midsize businesses that aren’t using cloud services today are planning to within the next year.

In building this new strategy, which is poised for growth in 2014, Windstream added an additional 10 channel managers who are focused on cloud and data center services. These channel managers will recruit new VAR and cloud-focused partners and will serve as subject-matter experts to better support network channel managers and partners. Cloud channel managers will be the partners dedicated cloud resource, thus strengthening their relationship with Windstream. Some of the training opportunities include computer-based training, instructor-led Webinars and in-person seminars.