BAKBONE ENHANCES EMEA CHANNEL PROGRAM AND REBRANDS AS EUROPEAN CHANNEL ADVANTAGE PROGRAM

BakBone Software (TSX: BKB; PK: BKBO), a global provider of data protection software, today unveiled a strengthened channel partner program, newly rebranded as Channel Advantage Program, which now includes new tools and features designed to make it easier for BakBone resellers to boost their profitability when selling the Companys products.

While the various partner levels, which include Distributor, Platinum, Silver and Authorised Reseller, remain unchanged, the new structure of BakBones Channel Advantage program now adds more benefits to each level of accreditation, such as web-based sales certification training courses and pre-qualified end user leads, and is designed to help partners receive competitive discounts more quickly. Upon registering an account through Lead Registration, resellers can take advantage of preferred discounts and price protection.

Providing our partners with deeper discounts along with better tools to market their services and manage their accounts is another step in our commitment to building a market-leading channel program, said Chris Ross, vice president and general manager of EMEA for BakBone,. With 100 percent of BakBones business coming through its VAR and OEM channel, our partners play a pivotal role in helping us break away from the competition, and we view the Channel Advantage program as critical to driving our mutual growth and success.

To empower resellers with award-winning data protection software that is reliable, simple to use and easy to deploy, the new Channel Advantage program introduces an upgraded web portal. The enhanced online resource offers a Knowledge Base that provides quick links to technical help, marketing materials such as technical collateral, competitive analyses and price configuration tools, as well as details on timely promotions, discounts, and other reseller-specific information. Partners may also take advantage of web-based certification and sales training to enhance technical understanding of NetVaults advanced features and benefits. Additionally, by moving away from a more traditional cooperative marketing program to Marketing Development Funding (MDF), once they receive BakBone authorisation, partners become eligible for co-funding for promotions tailored more specifically to their individual marketing or sales needs.