Acer targets top resellers with Program 25

Scheme includes rebates, marketing resources and support for business expansion

By Hamish Barwick, Auckland | Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Acer is launching its new Program 25 partner scheme, with the goal of signing an initial base of 25 valued added resellers (VARs) on both sides of the Tasman.

The vendor’s Oceanic head of marketing Robin Tang says he has already met with selected VARs in Australia, where the company had received a positive response. He expects contracts to be signed shortly.

“The main purpose of Program 25 is to build focus on our top resellers and to invest into their business,” says Tang.

Although the details of the programme are still being finalised, he says VARs joining stand to benefit from an attractive rebate scheme, better access to resources such as marketing and product roadmaps, and support to expand their business with the vendor.

Tang says it wants to sign five New Zealand VARs at the commencement of the programme.

Program 25 will be handled locally by Acer country manager Mark Dalton.

“We can communicate the top VARs once we have completed the signup stage. This is expected to be completed by the end of July,” he says.

Tang says the company also plans to focus on the SMB market this year.

“That is where the growth opportunity is and we are looking at expanding the channel for Acer. At present, we have a strong presence in Auckland and Wellington.”

Acer is looking to appoint a VAR based in Christchurch to look after the South Island.

“Our strategy is to address the market on a basis of need. In simple terms, we evaluate the currently unaddressed end-user market before signing any new distributor or reseller.”