Interactive technology vendor Promethean has piled more weight behind its indirect strategy by announcing it will push all installations through its partner network.

Earlier this year the firm hailed its 100 per cent channel sales push as a success, after rejigging its management structure to enable its ambitious expansion plans (CRN Online, 24 January) .

Under this change, Paul Berry, formerly the director of UK business, was promoted to president of Europe, US president Mark Elliott became president of North America responsible for the US, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean, while Mark Reeves, senior vice president of international sales was entrusted with the central and Latin America, Eastern Europe, Africa, The Middle East and Asia Pacific.

In the interim period, network and cabling specialist Uppersystem has been appointed as the transition partner, taking responsibility for existing Promethean installation contracts.The transition period to channel installations only will run through to 11 July, during which time Uppersystem will fulfil all direct
installations already agreed with Promethean, and continue to provide these
services once the transition is complete.

Paul Dean, Promethean’s director of partner management, said: “Having
delivered on our promise to move 100 per cent of our sales through the
channel, the next step was to do the same with installations. This gives
channel partners the opportunity to expand into installations through our
accredited installation programme if they want, or the option to partner
with an experienced installation specialist such as Uppersystem.”

As part of the agreement, and in line with TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings
and Protection of Employment) regulations, Uppersystem will take over the
employment of Promethean installation engineers, giving the company one of
the largest bases of accredited Activboard+2 installation engineers in the
UK, and providing continuity of service to the customer.

Andy Duck, audiovisual (AV) director at Uppersystem, said: “Education continues to be one of the biggest AV opportunities, particularly where interactive technology is concerned. By offering the complete AV installation solution, we give those resellers that do not wish to add installations to their portfolio, access to a flexible and scalable resource.”

Following the move from direct installations, Promethean is directing
resellers who wish to develop an installation service, to register and
complete the Activboard+2 accreditation course or contact Upper system for
co-ordination of the service. To maintain high quality installations of
this all-in-one interactive whiteboard solution, resellers must achieve
full Promethean accreditation before they are approved to install the
system.

Derrick Walton, Head of Customer Support Services at Promethean, said:
“Promethean has set the standard for customer service in our market, and
is committed to building on this quality in collaboration with our
partners. Our aim is to equip partners with the skills and knowledge to
sustain the highest levels of service and customer experience.”