BASKING RIDGE, NJ--(Marketwire - October 20, 2010) - Avaya, a global leader in business communications systems, software and services, today announced new skills, certifications and support systems to help Avaya Connect Channel Partners provide innovative, real-time business communications and collaboration solutions to their customers. Avaya Connect Channel Partners will have access to new technology certifications, business management and marketing curricula and a global Partner HelpDesk to help evolve both their customer's business as well as their own. The announcement was made during the Avaya 2011 Americas Partner Conference being held this week in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"The innovations Avaya is now bringing to market allow our Avaya Connect Channel Partners to change the conversation," said Jeremy Butt, vice president, Worldwide Channels, Avaya. "Our partners can have a strategic impact helping enterprises reinvigorate their business by using open, standards-based real-time communications and collaboration applications. Avaya is equipping channel partners with the technology, skills, certifications and support to enable their success in this industry."
The announcement follows a series of technology innovations announced by Avaya through 2010 that included advancements in unified communications and collaboration, contact center and data networking for businesses from small to very large. Most recently, Avaya announced a new portfolio of video-enabled collaboration solutions highlighted by the Avaya Flare™ Experience, the industry's first next-generation user experience that delivers unique collaboration capabilities across video, voice and text.
The new and expanded technology training, designations and skills reflect Avaya's expanded portfolio into Data and Video Solutions and include:
- Video or Data Authorizations -- new and updated policies both protect and reflect an Avaya Connect Channel Partner's commitment to globally consistent quality standards in video or data solutions.
- Video or Data Expert -- identifies an Avaya Connect Channel Partner that has demonstrated the highest level of ability in sales and support of video or data, and provides access to Avaya's industry-leading tools and support.
- Avaya Certified Solutions Architect (ASCA) in Unified Communications Solutions or Contact Center Solutions -- new certification opportunity indicates an individual employee has achieved the highest level of training and competency in unified communications or contact center solutions and helps channel partners build deeper levels of specialization.
- Avaya Connect Video Solutions certification -- for individual employees as an optional solution set training that can be added onto Unified Communications credentials.
"Vendors with clear and strong certification programs enable partners to develop comprehensive skill-sets and build and grow their business," states Chris Ilg, director, Infrastructure Channels and Alliances, IDC. "As enterprises look for innovative collaboration solutions to fuel innovation in their business, partners with the latest capabilities are best positioned to meet the needs of customers today."
The recently launched Avaya Connect Partner HelpDesk provides a single point of contact for channel partners who have questions about Avaya's partner programs, tools and services. Available in 10 languages, this new resource offers truly global assistance to channel partners to make it easier for partners to do business with Avaya, regardless of their level, geography, or portfolio sold. Agents will assist with the following program and process related issues:
- Channel Programs -- Avaya Connect Partner Program on-boarding programs, training & certification, sales authorization, etc.
- Essential Applications & Tools -- Partner Relationship Management (PRM) database, Business Development and Market Development funds, channel partner web registration, Avaya University Portal.
- Marketing Programs -- Partner Marketing Central resources and assets, Avaya Market Leaders program, channel partner promotions and incentives, partner locator, etc.
- Channel Services Programs -- SSO & Web Services, Avaya Global Services tools, product registration, and channel partner service assessments.
Avaya is offering access to courses leading to a Professional Diploma in Marketing Business Services and Solutions provided by ITSMA and the Chartered Institute of Marketing to help channel partners build business skills. The curriculum will help channel partners understand what they need to do within their own business to create and deliver business services and solutions and how to win, grow and defend key customer accounts.
The new training and certifications will be available over the next two quarters. The Avaya Connect Partner HelpDesk is available now.
About Avaya
Avaya is a global leader in enterprise communications systems. The company provides unified communications, contact centers, data solutions, and related services directly and through its channel partners to leading businesses and organizations around the world. Enterprises of all sizes depend on Avaya for state-of-the-art communications that improve efficiency, collaboration, customer service and competitiveness. For more information please visit www.avaya.com
Certain statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "should" or "will" or other similar terminology. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While we believe these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. These and other important factors may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Some of the key factors that could cause actual results to differ from our expectations include: our ability to develop and sell advanced communications products and services, including unified communications, contact center and data solutions; our ability to develop our indirect sales channel; economic conditions and the willingness of enterprises to make capital investments; the market for advanced communications products and services, including unified communications solutions; our ability to remain competitive in the markets we serve; our ability to manage our supply chain and logistics functions; the ability to protect our intellectual property and avoid claims of infringement; our ability to effectively integrate acquired businesses into ours; our ability to maintain adequate security over our information systems; environmental, health and safety laws, regulations, costs and other liabilities; the ability to retain and attract key employees; risks relating to the transaction of business internationally; pension and post-retirement healthcare and life insurance liabilities; and liquidity and our access to capital markets. We caution you that the foregoing list of important factors may not contain all of the material factors that are important to you. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, please refer to Avaya's filings with the SEC that are available at www.sec.gov. Avaya disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contact Information:
Deb Kline
908-953-6179
klined@avaya.com