Acronis Launches New Partner Program

Acronis, a provider of hybrid cloud data protection, extended its global partner program with the new Acronis Partner Program for Cloud. The new program is designed to accelerate cloud data protection services revenue with a subscription model for service providers, distributors and cloud resellers. The program includes marketing, incentives, technical training and certification as well as simplified partner on-boarding and free Web-based sales tools and enablement programs.

The new program supports any deployment model, including service provider-hosted, Acronis-hosted and hybrid, and any business model with licensing flexibility. This includes turnkey cloud data protection services and offerings that are more deeply integrated into partner technology and services portfolios, the company said.

The program also features multiple tiers that reward a partner’s sales performance, certification commitment and marketing collaboration. Incentives include stackable profit margins, incremental margins for deal registration, rebates and incremental accelerators. Partners also have access to demand-generation support and co-op and market development fund programs.

Samsung Enhances Channel Program

Samsung Electronics America enhanced its channel partner program—the Samsung Team of Empowered Partners (STEP)—with new marketing services, as well as a professional training system. New resources rolling out in 2016 can increase expertise in target markets, including health care, hospitality, education, retail, financial services and federal government. Samsung’s channel focus for 2016 centers on four key areas: “driving greater demand through partners, accelerating knowledge transfer, increasing partner profitability and simplifying platforms.” New developments include Marketing Concierge Services and the new Samsung Business Academy, a training and certification program.

HEAT Software Expands MSP Program

HEAT Software, a provider of cloud service management and unified endpoint management (UEM) software solutions, launched HEAT MSP Cloud, a service management solution designed for MSPs serving the midmarket. The program enables midmarket MSPs to market, sell, deploy and support their customers’ entire service management implementation from a single, multi-tenant platform delivered through its cloud infrastructure. The HEAT MSP Cloud platform is initially available in North America with plans to expand globally in 2016.

Continuum Adds Online Resources for MSPs

Continuum, an IT management platform company, has added resources to its MSPedia, an online collection of product-agnostic, educational articles for managed IT services. New resources include MSP pricing strategies, how to choose the right cloud platform, targeting managed services verticals and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance. Since launching MSPedia in July 2015, the company has posted 12 articles on various topics for MSP partners. The company also announced a new integration with Accelo, a professional services automation (PSA) platform. This integration gives Continuum’s MSP partners the option to adopt a fully synchronized workflow by combining Continuum’s technical tools for MSPs with Accelo’s business tools.

Ingram Micro, CounterPath Ink Distribution Deal

CounterPath, a global provider of over-the-top unified communications solutions for enterprises and carriers, signed an agreement with Ingram Micro. Under the agreement, Ingram Micro will distribute CounterPath’s Bria Softphones and Stretto Platform via its reseller network, targeting both small and midsize businesses and enterprises.