In light of growing demand, Avaya has expanded its Avaya Edge channel program to enable partners to offer unified communications and contact centre applications as a cloud based service (UCaaS, CCaS).
According to the company, a key component of its 2018 Avaya Edge program strategy is in enabling cloud delivery, integration and management.
"The demand for Avaya Engagement Solutions as a Service continues to skyrocket, and channel partners must play a critical role in sales, integration and delivery," says Avaya vice president of US channels, Gary Levy.
In terms of what the expanded program actually involves, Cloud Integrator is now part of the existing partner tracks, indicating commitment to Avaya's Cloud business.
Avaya says this new track makes it possible for channel partners to achieve Emerald, Sapphire or Diamond status as revenue streams become more OPEX-driven, and therefore gain access to the benefits associated with each of the gem levels.
The 2018 Avaya Edge program focus on partner cloud enablement and rewards perfectly aligns with our overall strategy to help customers move to the cloud model at the pace that is right for their business, and to help ensure partners remain profitable and thrive throughout the transition," says Levy.
The program also offers three types of market-differentiating specialisations to traditional partners and distributors transitioning from largely CAPEX or premises-based models to OPEX and cloud: Cloud Specialist, Avaya Delivery Partner or Cloud Wholesaler.
Furthermore, Avaya says its revamped program works to enhance existing benefits and adds new ones, such as cloud loyalty rebates, new customer registration and strategic development funds to support partner success in a fast-changing market.
According to Avaya, channel partners that embrace the program's cloud tracks and specialisations will be among the best equipped to help customers take a hybrid approach to cloud migration while delivering the value-added services required for tightly integrating communications and collaboration services with other applications and business processes.
