By Akanksha Prasad, CRN, August 09 2007, 1230 hrs
Riverbed Technology, a wide-area data service provider, with the launch of the latest version of its WAN optimization software, Steelhead Mobile, is scouting for VADs (Value Added Distributor) and VARs (Value Added Resellers).
The company has so far tied up with about 28 partners, and is now looking at a quantitative and qualitative addition to its existing fleet. “We foresee a lot of opportunities in India. With demand for mobile services growing fast, we intend to double our partner strength and increase our reach as well,” said Venugopal Pai, Riverbed’s senior director of alliances.
The company collaborates with system integrators like Datacraft, Wipro and HP. Completely channel-driven, the company has VARs like Pentagon, CMS Computers, Tandem and Lotus Computers.
“Riverbed Technologies believes in joining hands with first-grade partners and not just in over-licensing of the channel, which is very much the current scenario in the country,” said Vivek Singh, regional director, India and Saarc. He said that those resellers who have value adding capacities, a focused approach and who believe in enhancing their skills qualify to partner with Riverbed.
Various training programs including orientation, product demos and the recently launched certification program are being conducted. Apart form these initiatives, Riverbed conducts regular webinars and updating programs for its partners.
Steelhead mobile software delivers LAN-like application performance to end users. Pai said that provisions like quick file transfer and reduction of bandwidth will gain demand not only in tier-one, but also tier-two and tier-three cities. “The product will leverage the activity of the partners, giving them wider markets and make them accustomed to telecom communication, which till date was a new technology for them,” he said.
“Steelhead Mobile allows 2,000 licenses to the data center for its remote offices; we therefore do not confine ourselves to any particular segment. Today businesses are not confined to one city but have a global reach, and many of them function in remote areas as well,” Singh added.
Steelhead mobile increases file transfer by reducing traffic by 80 percent and allowing easy access to remote area offices from the data centers. |