SAP AG announced that it has successfully transitioned all software solution partners to the SAP(R) PartnerEdge(TM) program, and is now leveraging the company's partner program framework to provide an array of innovative business services and tools to additional partner types that make up the SAP partner ecosystem. Launched in May 2005 (see "SAP Introduces World-Class Channel Program for Global Partner Network Serving Small and Midsize Businesses"), the award-winning SAP PartnerEdge program is a comprehensive business framework that provides exceptional business-enabling tools, resources and program benefits to help ensure a productive partnership and consistent service quality for a broad array of SAP partner types. Following the successful transition of the SAP software solution partners into SAP PartnerEdge (see "SAP Unifies Global Partner Programs Under SAP(R) PartnerEdge(TM)"), the program is now also being extended to SAP BusinessObjects solution resellers that are authorized to resell software from the SAP(R) BusinessObjects(TM) portfolio.
With one central framework in place, members of the SAP PartnerEdge program can easily access a variety of new offerings and benefits within the different partner tracks designed to serve the needs of a wide variety of partner relationships. Among many other benefits, the program provides its standard member organizations with access to the partner services advisor (PSA) offering, a global service delivered through four delivery centers across the world, in 11 languages to more than 2,700 partners 24 hours a day, five days a week. PSAs are dedicated resources that provide a single point of contact to help partners in their daily business. By supporting the introduction of new initiatives and providing updates on products and technology, PSAs help partners to identify opportunities to expand their business inside the SAP PartnerEdge program.
"Khoj has been an SAP PartnerEdge service partner since 2007, and in this short period we have been able to significantly grow our SAP practice by over 30 percent year-over-year, gain multiple prestigious reference clients and grow our consulting workforce beyond our internal expectations," explains Ajay Dhingra, president at Khoj Information Technology, Inc. "For Khoj, the partner services advisor and SAP's unique, one-on-one partner services delivery initiative has been at the cornerstone of our ability to benefit from the program in a multi-faceted way. Unlike before, we are now able to reach to our customers with consulting services on new products offering from SAP because of participation in ramp-up program, and the partner test engagement initiatives."
Another successful initiative offered within the SAP PartnerEdge program is partner-led demand generation support, which helps partners globally generate business through comprehensive marketing and demand generation services. The support helps partners reduce the cost of campaign execution and increase lead volume while decreasing time-to-market and cost per lead, as well as accelerate deal closure. The initiative includes a comprehensive set of benefits, including pre-packaged campaigns, online marketing training, planning tools and robust online services such as the "Virtual Agency," a free self-service online campaign execution platform that allows partners to plan, build and execute campaigns in a timely fashion. In the second half of 2009, SAP will roll out additional partner-led demand generation benefits to all channel, service and software partners with an expectation of more than 100 campaigns activated in 2009.
"We are excited about the additional benefits introduced to the program this year," elaborates Geoff Glaser, vice president, Business Development, Paymetric, Inc. "Among them, the 'Virtual Agency' provides us with the ability to create and launch new marketing assets, such as webcast invites, to generate new leads and tap into new business opportunities. As a participant in the pilot program, Paymetric generated over 150 registrations for webcast, which led to a number of qualified leads. The continued introduction of new benefits within the partner program is helping us to truly reach SAP customers and help solve their business challenges."
Web 2.0 Provides Easier Access to Valuable Information
SAP uses Web 2.0 capabilities to enable partners to access the information they need right from their offices. Providing access to over 500 eClasses, including sessions recorded at previous events, SAP PartnerEdge provides members valuable training sessions, led by SAP experts, that review best practices and product roadmaps. Many partners have already taken advantage of the eClasses to access the video presentations, slides and demos in order to obtain information on technical developments. The SAP partner portals have recently been expanded to provide comprehensive information and services that focus on the SAP BusinessObjects portfolio. The SAP community network uses Web 2.0 to provide an active and vibrant community for customers, partners, employees and other thought leaders from around the world to share knowledge and experience on numerous SAP-related topics (see "SAP Launches New Social Media Tools for SAP Community Network"). With over 1.7 million members globally, the SAP community network is an environment for experts to collaborate openly through interactive blogs, wikis and forums, giving members access to information and trusted resources so they can co-innovate to solve problems and obtain fast, high-quality responses to questions.
Recruiting Support for SAP Channel Partners
Recruiting and hiring skilled workers with SAP expertise is an ongoing challenge for partners. To address this need, SAP PartnerEdge program members with a reseller status have a new resource offered by SAP and LinkedIn (see "SAP Connects Midmarket Channel Partners to LinkedIn to Support Recruiting Efforts"). The companies have joined forces to provide access to LinkedIn's recruiting functionality at a reduced price, giving partners access to more than 140,000 SAP professionals on LinkedIn. Participating program partners are eligible to post up to three job postings at no additional cost until December 31, 2009.
Integrating SAP BusinessObjects Partners
In order to provide new opportunities for co-innovation across the SAP ecosystem, the former Business Objects Technology and system integrator partner programs have been integrated with the SAP PartnerEdge software solution and service partner programs, giving its members full access to the large SAP community and resources.
"As an SAP software solution partner in the SAP PartnerEdge program, we have realized many benefits, such as the certification of our solution for integration with the SAP BusinessObjects portfolio, in addition to it being featured on SAP EcoHub," explains Christopher Doolittle, vice president, Marketing, Teleran Technologies, Inc. "The SAP team made it easy for Teleran to become part of the SAP ecosystem, and ensured that we are utilizing all the great resources this collaboration offers."
SAP is also integrating previous SAP BusinessObjects solution resellers into the SAP PartnerEdge program, further delivering benefits to its diverse partner communities. This new program track is currently open for partners, with the exception of the EMEA region, which will be available on September 1, 2009.
