The Opal Channel Partner Incentive, was launched in May 2008 with the objective of rewarding and recognising Opal’s top performing Data Solutions Partners. With a portfolio of Opal’s IT security, MPLS networking and Ethernet access technologies available for resale.
As part of the incentive Opal offered three prizes for those Partners who showed the largest increase in sales, the first prize - two trips for two to Monte Carlo - was won by Systems Integration who billed the highest amount in the incentive period, while significantly growing their contract base with Opal. During the incentive period Systems Integration successfully won a contract for the implementation of a multi-site MPLS solution for Board 24, the premier high-quality corrugated sheetboard supplier to the sheet plant industry.
The second prize of 3 cases of champagne and wine was awarded to Active Solutions, who commented: “We’ve worked hard to increase our contract base during the incentive period and the scheme has acted as a brilliant spur to our sales team. All of our clients and staff have benefited from our partnership with Opal and will continue to do so in the future.”
Opal was also keen to recognise the efforts of smaller Partners and awarded a separate prize to ADA Networks who demonstrated an impressive 34 per cent increase in their contract base over the period of the incentive. ADA was awarded a day of go-karting for fifteen of its team members.
Peter Keast, operations manager, of ADA Networks, said: “Our status as an Opal Channel Partner enables us to extend our services beyond the corporate LAN and deliver a turnkey solution that includes WAN and other IT communications solutions and we know we can depend on Opal to deliver the quality of service our customers expect. By Opal’s standards ADA is a small reseller so it is particularly pleasing to have been recognised for our growth rate as opposed to our overall sales of their services.”
Running simultaneously alongside this incentive, Opal launched a scheme to help its Partners drive more Analogue and ISDN line connections. The incentive scheme aimed to reward the top three Partners who delivered the most new line rental connections over the agreed period. The scheme proved to be extremely successful, with a number of Partners jostling for the top three positions. The first prize of a 42 inch Wharfedale HD LCD TV was eventually awarded to BSAS, a weekend break for two to NGC Networks and the third prize of an Ipod Touch went to Purchase Direct.
Opal’s Director of Wholesale Channel, Nathan Stenson, believes that providing support for the wholesale channel has never been more important. He said: “We are operating in tough market conditions and incentive schemes are a powerful tool to motivate Partners and their team members. We are committed to supporting all of our Partners, irrespective of size, and incentive schemes support the reseller's need to immediately and efficiently build revenue. We look forward to launching a number of new incentives in 2009.”