Epson launches new Partner Portal

26 November 2010 – Today, Epson UK reveals its new Partner Portal which goes live to channel customers for the first time.

The new portal is tailored to the individual partner to offer an easy way to manage promotions, rewards and training through access to specific content and information on Epson products, technical support and events.

Initially, partners will be able to access the latest Epson news, events and product price lists. Downloadable marketing assets that include high-resolution images, logos and product catalogues to enhance partner websites are available from the product database feature. The first phase of the portal will also enable partners to manage their user profile, plus administration rights give them the authority to set up other members of staff.

In the new year, the portal will enter into the second phase of functionality. From January, partners will be able to access enhanced tools including the option to see online reports of their progress against quarterly targets and check the status of rebates. Other enhanced features will enable partners to order demo units through the portal, contact their Epson account manager through the easy-to-navigate contact area or find local dealers through the Dealerfinder function. Partners will be able to add further branches of the company after authorisation from Epson.

Iain Friar, marketing services manager, Epson UK, comments: “We are committed to supporting our channel partners and providing a value-added service, ensuring it is as simple as possible for them to work with us. Our programme not only rewards our partners, but also gives them all the information they need to sell our products and promotions with confidence.”

The Partner Portal represents an important part of Epson’s Partner Programme, which is designed to give channel customers a stronger and broader set of benefits including focused rewards and access to the new web portal.

Partner levels

Available to any Epson dealer, Epson’s Partner Programme operates a tiered structure that aims to reward specialists and dealers in accordance with the volume of Epson sales completed, providing greater benefits as partners generate more business with Epson. Rebates will start to accrue when partners reach 70% of their target.

The entry level to the scheme is Epson Partner, and once there has been a growth in sales of Epson products, there is the opportunity to become an Epson Premier Partner, which offers increased benefits and rewards.

Epson acknowledges the role that specialists play in the development of the Epson business and as such has created an additional category to recognise the efforts of these businesses – Epson Specialist Partner. Specialist Partners’ rebate accrues from the first sale.

Iain Friar continues: “Many of our partners work in vertical markets and therefore provide growth areas for Epson. In recognition of this, we have created an additional category – Epson Specialist Partner – to enable us to provide these businesses with access to a higher level package and additional rewards.”

Epson Specialist Partners can include businesses in the following industry sectors: Office Solutions; Pro AV; Independent Retailer; Pro Photography Retailer; Home Cinema Retailer; Express Centre, Pro Graphics Large Format and Point-Of-Sale and Point-Of-Service Solutions.

Premier Partners and Specialist Partners differentiate themselves by providing suitable demonstration and training facilities, expert levels of product knowledge and actively develop relevant markets and channels.