SMART Technologies goes direct to resellers for AV offering

SMART Technologies has launched a new UK partner programme in the UK to directly deal with resellers to promote its large format interactive screens.

Only recently, SMART Technologies appointed Westcon Group to distribute its entire range in the UK, including education and enterprise products.

Westcon competes with Steljes, for instance, in the audio visual market when it comes to distribution. Steljes distributes the Nureva line of interactive AV products and was recently boasting how the SMART line of products was a boon to its separate AV rental business.

The new partner programme though will enable SMART to focus on “supplying simple, collaboration solutions to both education and enterprise environments”, said the firm.

“Our new partner strategy revolutionises our approach to sales throughout the UK,” said Neil Gaydon, CEO of SMART Technologies. “We’re seeing high demand for interactive flat panels throughout the UK education sector, with a 37 percent increase in 2016. Our whiteboards, interactive displays and software help educators and businesses who believe in the power of collaboration.”

SMART’s full product suite will now be available to a host of partners, supported by “major new investment” from SMART.

“SMART has recognised the need to reward proactive and loyal resellers with the correct level of margin for demonstrating the power of SMART’s innovative solutions directly in the education market,” said Chris Deeley, managing director at Elementary Technology.

“The new model means more schools can benefit from SMART products and offers resellers the opportunity to demonstrate the power of the full SMART learning suite.”

Through access to a new dedicated SMART partner portal, gold and silver partners can benefit from a managed service model, providing an increased level of support to match each customer’s individual needs.

@AntonySavvas