Quantum seeks more partners for its online program

After the successful launch of Quantum Academy program for resellers in the
US and Canada, Quantum has extended this program for resellers in the Asia
Pacific region as well. Now the company has put the focus on the program to
promote its expansion in India. "We are trying to recruit more partners
under this program," says Mike Sparkes, Product Marketing Mangar-APAC, in
an exclusive interview to DQCI.

The Quantum Academy/APAC program is tailored for resellers of Quantum’s
tape libraries, autoloaders and other tape automation systems. In India, it has
so far appointed 40 resellers under the program.

According to Mike, the program is designed to help resellers sell more
products and services at higher margins. As a member, each channel partner
receives sales leads, training, online sales tools, sales incentives,
multi-vendor solutions, and other sales resources. Resellers under the Quantum
Academy program are also given demo units at a significant discount.

Mike Sparkes was in India to launch Quantum’s first disk-based enhanced
backup system–DX30, a solution that emulates a tape library. Mike clarified
that introduction of EBS has not lessened Quantum’s focus on tape drives.
"We are the world’s largest supplier of tape drives and DLT tapes. And we
will continue to lead in this segment," says he.

According to him, DX30 is not being included in the Quantum Academy program,
instead, has appointed Wipro Infotech and Apara Enterprise Solutions as
certified Quantum channel partners. According to him, DX30 is a new concept and
its requires appropriate training and certification to sell this. Wipro and
Apara are currently being trained to sell DX30. According to Mike, more such
certified partners will be appointed after imparting training and certification
on them.

Online registration for Quantum Academy can be done at http://quantum.treehousei.com/inbound/quantumacademyRegisterAPAC.asp

NELSON JOHNY