NetGear University Provides Online Self-Education Tool For Partners

NetGear, a wired/wireless networking vendor based here, recently added an online, self-education tool to its Web site, with an eye toward recruiting more solution providers focused on the SMB market.

The tool, dubbed NetGear University, is part of the company's Powershift Partner Program and aimed at helping partners get educated about NetGear's variety of products and solutions.

"It's really part of a soft ramp up of a certification program as we continue to build our channel," said Ray Robideaux, president of NetGear. "Most people know NetGear as a consumer product company, but we are definitely in the business space."

NetGear, which has focused its efforts on expanding the breadth of its products and reach into the SMB market, now has 12 executives dedicated solely to its channel partners. The company has worked to expand its focus and now develops products two market areas: SOHO and small-to-medium-sized businesses.

In addition to a dedicated sales and marketing team, NetGear has also instituted other Powershift program features that include a 2 percent back-end rebate on quarterly sales of $15,000 for Powershift Partners and a 5 percent front-end rebate on quarterly sales of $75,000 for Platinum partners, and a 5 percent discount for government and education sales.