ShoreTel Enhances Technology Partner and Developer Program

**Editor’s Note: Click here for a list of January’s important channel-program changes you should know.**

IP phone system and UC vendor ShoreTel is debuting TechConnect, a new global technology and developer partner program to extend capabilities beyond its current product portfolio.

Building on the foundation of its Innovation Network, which has more than 1,500 developers and 110 technology partners, ShoreTel has renamed and expanded the program.

ShoreTel also has deepened its relationship with an independent third-party testing and services firm. This relationship will increase test capacity, resulting in faster time to market, and provide new remote test preparation capabilities via the cloud, the company said.

“With the new ShoreTel TechConnect program, we are building a vibrant ecosystem of partners that will extend the value of the ShoreTel Connect solutions,” said Mark Roberts, ShoreTel’s chief marketing officer. “We are seeking complementary solutions with a focus on vertical applications, and are focused on creating greater value for our customers through interoperability and integration with tools and applications they use daily. With the new program we have intensified our attention on go to market efforts with member partners, and on providing additional training and marketing resources. We’re also pleased to be offering additional certification options.”

Program enhancements include: a more efficient certification process; new remote test and preparation capabilities; no membership fee for technology partners self-validating with the third-party test firm; additional marketing opportunities, as well as advance notification and sponsorship priority for the ShoreTel Champion Partner Conference.{ad}

The program has three member tiers: Developer, Technology Partner and Technology Alliance Partner. The Developer level provides the technical information and tools for third-party developers to integrate their offering with ShoreTel’s UC platform.

Participants who have completed their development effort and are ready to validate their offering with ShoreTel then choose one of two options: the Technology Partner level, which is a member-tested and supported option; or the Technology Alliance Partner level, in which ShoreTel handles testing through its third party and provides marketing support.

Current members of the Innovation Network will maintain their status at the corresponding level within TechConnect.

“As a ShoreTel channel partner, I welcome the ability to quickly find specific vertical market solutions that are integrated with ShoreTel, and fully supported,” said Don Gulling, president of Verteks Consulting, a ShoreTel gold partner. “Having a program comprised of diverse software applications and devices that are verified with the ShoreTel portfolio will help us meet customer needs in specific industries.”