Skype launches channel program to target business market

Stuart Corner
Wednesday, 08 September 2010 09:32

IT Industry - Strategy

Following the recent launch of Skype Connect and the recent upgrading of its beta offering of videoconferencing, Skype is ramping up its focus on the business market with the launch of a channel program, available only in the US at this stage.

Skype says the goal of the program is "to establish a qualified network of channel partners in the United States that can assist companies interested in using Skype to improve their productivity and optimise their communication costs."

It is seeking value added resellers and systems integrators that it will certify to provide installation, configuration and support services to its business customers.

Skype said that: "Any plans to roll-out to other countries will be announced once established." A spokeswoman for  Skype Asia Pacific told iTWire: we do not have further plans beyond the US to share at this point.

Qualified channel partners will receive training, sales and marketing collaterals, customer tracking and reporting tools, as well as support and account management from Skype. Skype says that once trained and certified they will be equipped to provide their own consulting, installation, configuration, maintenance and support services to business customers who wish to use Skype's business solutions, including the Skype Business Client, Skype Manager and Skype Connect.

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